Signs & Miracles · Saying This Well

Manners when the miracles come up

Handle with care. Do not mock any prophet, scripture or community, even in reply to mockery.

In short

• 1.Never mock the miracles of Jesus (peace be upon him). Muslims affirm them: the blind healed, the dead raised, by God's permission (Q 3:49).
• 2.Never sneer at someone's tradition to make yours look better. Q 6:108 forbids reviling what others call upon.
• 3.If they laugh, do not match it. Calm is more persuasive than a comeback.
• 4.Q 16:125: invite with wisdom, good instruction, and argue in the way that is best.
• 5.If they lose interest, stop. There is no obligation to finish your material.

The claim being examined

Comparing miracles can turn into scoring points against someone's prophet. That loses the person even when it wins the argument.

The Islamic position

The Qur'an commands invitation with wisdom and good speech, and forbids abusing what others hold sacred.

Analysis

Q 16:125 establishes the method of invitation, and Q 6:108 prohibits abusing the objects of others' devotion on the stated grounds that they will then abuse God. Q 3:49 affirms the miracles of Jesus as performed by God's permission, which removes any basis for mocking them. Q 2:256 and Q 88:21-22 establish that the caller is a reminder and not a controller, which is the doctrinal ground for ending a conversation without pressure.

From the Qur'an

Sources

Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Qur'an al-'Azim · Q 16:125; Q 6:108; Q 3:49; Q 88:21-22

More in Saying This Well

• Speaking honestly about a language you don't read
• The order that works
• "None of this can be verified"
• "Show me a miracle now"
• Knowing when to stop