They said to him, “This man is not only a threat to us, but also to your rule and government. If you do not take immediate action to stop him, we fear that both the religion of our forefathers and your authority will come to an end. He has gathered large crowds around him by performing astonishing feats, and now he seeks to become the King of Judea. He has greatly influenced the minds of the common people and is altering their faith. If this danger is not eliminated now, this land will slip out of your hands.”
After an intense discussion, Pilate ordered the arrest of Christ and demanded that he be brought before his court. The chiefs, priests, and leaders were delighted at this success. They congratulated each other and agreed to wait for the right moment to capture him when he was alone, so they could avoid provoking public anger.
All Will Have Faith
Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered and said, “What shall we do? For this man performs many miracles. If we allow him to continue, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” Then one of them, Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year, said, “You know nothing at all, nor do you realize that it is better for one man to die for the people than for the whole nation to perish.”
(The Gospel of St. John, Ch. 11, 47–50)
Two days before the feast of Passover, Christ, aware of the conspiracies of the Jews, gathered his disciples and said, “You are well aware of the hostile actions of the chiefs, priests, and rabbis. A time of great trial is approaching. Who among you will stand firm and sacrifice for the sake of God?”
His disciples replied sincerely, “We all love our Lord and God. We will remain faithful to you no matter what happens. Pray that God grants us the strength to remain steadfast in our promise to you and to our Lord.”
After hearing this, Christ waited to see what would unfold and what God would decree.
“And they plotted against him (Christ), and God also planned against them, and God is the Best of planners.”
(Surah 3, Verse 54)
Eventually, the chiefs, priests, and rabbis surrounded the house where Christ was staying. In that moment of distress, God comforted him:
“Behold! God said: ‘O Jesus! I will take you and raise you to Myself, and clear you of the falsehoods of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow you superior to the disbelievers until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me you shall all return, and I shall judge between you concerning that wherein you differ.’”
(Surah 3, Verse 55)
Neither Hanged nor Crucified
They boasted, “We killed Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, the Messenger of God.” But they killed him not, nor did they crucify him. It only appeared so to them. Those who differ regarding this matter are in doubt, having no certain knowledge and following only conjecture. For surely, they did not kill him. Rather, God raised him up to Himself, and God is Almighty, Wise.
(Surah 4, Verses 157–158)
The purpose of appointing an apostle or prophet is to guide humanity toward goodness, well-being, and success in this life and the Hereafter. They never claim that they act by their own power. They openly declare that everything they do is by God’s command. They present God’s Word logically and rationally. Every apostle fulfills the duty assigned to him by God. They perform miracles so that the power of God becomes evident to the people. Behind every miracle lies the authority, sovereignty, and dominion of God.
“O Messenger, proclaim what has been revealed to you from your Lord. If you fail to do so, then you have not delivered His message. God will protect you from mankind, for God does not guide those who reject faith.”
(Surah 5, Verse 67)
God granted miracles to His prophets to strengthen and support them. They declared clearly that they were only messengers sent to convey God’s message. No prophet ever claimed control over the universe or power independent of God. They stated that whatever they did was by God’s permission and only when God willed.
Open Signs of God
Miracles such as control over the jinn, the wind, and knowledge of the language of animals were granted to David and Solomon. Moses was given nine clear signs, including his staff and the shining hand. The drowning of Pharaoh and the salvation of the Israelites were also great signs. The blazing fire that became harmless for Abraham and the she-camel granted to the people of Salih were signs of God. The people of Hud and Noah faced God’s wrath after denying their prophets’ warnings. Christ too was granted many signs, which the Holy Qur’an describes in detail.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was given the everlasting miracle of the Qur’an. Among his miracles were the throwing of dust upon the enemies, the descent of angels at Badr, and the splitting of the moon…all demonstrating God’s absolute power.
Yet the faithless demanded miracles to mock and challenge the prophets.
House of Gold
The disbelievers said, “We will not believe in you until you cause a spring to gush forth from the earth for us, or until you have a garden of date palms and grapevines with rivers flowing through it, or until you cause the sky to fall upon us in pieces, or bring God and the angels before us, or until you possess a house of gold, or ascend into the heavens. And even then, we will not believe unless you bring down to us a book that we can read.” Say, “Glory be to my Lord! I am only a human being and a messenger.”
(Surah 17, Verses 90–93)
Even if We opened a gate in the heavens and they ascended through it all day long, they would still say, “Our eyes have been dazzled; rather, we have been bewitched.”
(Surah 15, Verses 14–15)
Many of them pretend to listen, but We have placed veils upon their hearts and deafness in their ears. Even if they saw every sign, they still would not believe.
(Surah 6, Verse 25)
Prophets were granted miracles suitable to the nature and needs of their era. In the time of Abraham, astronomy and fire worship dominated, so God saved him from fire, proving divine supremacy. During Moses’ time, magic was prevalent, so he was granted miracles that clearly surpassed sorcery. During the time of Christ, medicine and Greek philosophy flourished, so Jesus was granted miracles that demonstrated divine power beyond science.
Four key miracles of Jesus mentioned in the Qur’an are:
- Restoring the dead to life by God’s permission.
- Healing those born blind and curing lepers.
- Breathing life into a clay bird by God’s permission.
- Revealing what people ate and what they stored in their houses.