Abrar Ahmed

In this article, an attempt has been made to clarify the distinction between laws of nature and miraculous events and their description in the Holy Qur’an.

What are laws of nature?

Regularly occurring or inevitable phenomenon observable or measurable in environment. For example:

1. Becoming a conscious human from a sperm.
2. Tree appearing to exist from a seed sown.

What is a miracle?

It is an event that is not explainable from the known laws of nature and is different from the normal routine. For example:

1. The birth of Hazrat Isa (peace be upon him) without father.
2. The stick of Hazrat Musa (peace be upon him) becoming a snake.

If we delve deeper to find distinction between the laws of nature and miracles, then actually there is only one difference. The events in natural law happen regularly and the events in miracles happen sometimes. There is not much difference in the actual reality of the events in both of them, but there is a difference in the number of occurrences.

If we look at the first example mentioned above, on one hand, a sperm becomes a conscious human being and on the other hand, Hazrat Isa (peace be upon him) is born without a father. If we ponder over both instances, both are no less than a miracle in their original reality as both are mind-boggling phenomenon. But because the formation of a conscious human being from sperm is a regularly seen process, it is called the law of nature in language and is easily accepted.

While the birth of Hazrat Isa (peace be upon him) without father has happened only once since Adam (A.S). That is why, it is called a miracle. From this, it can be concluded that like Jesus (A.S), if the process of birth of the father and son starts to happen regularly, then surely this will also be taken as a routine matter and not considered a miracle.

Perhaps, this is the reason why both the things that come into existence through the law of nature and the things that come into existence miraculously are presented in the Holy Qur’an as signs of Allah Ta’ala.

When the adversaries of the Prophet (PBUH) demanded miracles, they were not shown miracles, instead, attention was drawn to the verses of God in the universe to prove the existence of God.

A question can be raised that a lot of time is required in the events taking place through the laws of nature, but in miracles, the events happen suddenly.

If this question is also looked at closely, it is revealed that even a longer or shorter period does not make any difference in the actual reality of the events in terms of results. It is not that all the events in the laws of nature require a long time to happen. If we talk about quantum physics, things happen in a very short time.

There are also such things happening on a large scale, such as extinguishing fire with water, etc. Therefore, the longer or shorter duration of time in cause-effect actualization is not the main reason for the difference between the laws of nature and miracles. The duration of time between cause and effect cannot be presented as an argument on any side of this debate.

According to the Qur’anic view, Allah is the creator of everything, including the creatures, forces, and laws within this universe. In this universe, Allah allows the system of the universe to run according to certain laws for the moral test of man. Man can also conclude from this that he is not responsible and that he can influence his existence and the substance of the universe without any hindrance.

But sometimes miracles happen to warn and remind a person. They can create piety for a thinking and understanding person. However, every action going on in the universe, whether it is by the general laws or contrary to them, behind it is the one who commands everything i.e. Allah.