M1:280 — سحر را با مُعجزه کرده قیاس / هر دو را بر مَکر پندارد اساس

Translation: They compared magic to miracle, / And thought both to be founded upon deceit. Meaning: This verse points to the error of superficial observers who, due to outward resemblances, confuse magic with miracles and consider both to be a form of trickery.

This verse directly addresses one of our deepest epistemological challenges: the deceptive nature of appearances and the pitfall of false comparisons. Mawlana here asserts unequivocally how superficial observation misleads humanity, making them equate magic (sihr) with miracles (muʿjiza) and deem both to be founded upon deceit and trickery.

Throughout religious history, especially as depicted in the Quran, prophets were frequently accused of sorcery or magic. The people of their time, unable to comprehend an "unconventional" or "unique" human existence, rather than perceiving them as superior, often accused them of madness or trickery. This reveals a profound psychological flaw: when an individual transcends average bounds, ordinary people tend to drag them down to their own level to make sense of them; otherwise, these figures defy their analysis. Psychologists and psychoanalysts often use the benchmarks of "normal" or "average" individuals. However, divine saints and prophets exist beyond these scales, and conventional psychology will never truly grasp them.

Similarly, empirical sciences prove impotent when confronted with "unique" and "singular" phenomena. Science is built upon repetition, experimentation, and induction. Yet, if a phenomenon is truly unique, without parallel, it eludes the net of empirical knowledge. Miracles, assuming they occur, fall into this category. Sorcerers also performed extraordinary feats, but the fundamental difference lies here: prophets possessed a comprehensive doctrine and rational discourse, whereas sorcerers were solely occupied with conjuring tricks. Companions like Bilal and Abu Dharr, early followers of the Prophet Muhammad, were drawn to him by his character, his captivating words, his demeanor, and his charisma, not by observing miracles. This is the essential, substantive difference.

Mawlana explicitly states elsewhere: "The whole world went astray for this reason / Few knew the truthful ones among the substitutes / They claimed equality with the Prophets / And deemed the saints to be like themselves / Saying, 'Look, we are human, they are human / Both bound by sleep and food' / This they did not understand, from blindness / That there is an infinite difference between them." This is precisely the superficiality that leads people astray. The distinction between prophets and saints and ordinary people lies in their 'essence' (sīrat), not merely their 'form' (sūrat). This infinite difference can only be grasped by transcending appearances and delving into the inner reality.

Key takeaways

• Superficial observation leads to confusing magic with miracles and misguides humanity.
• The difference between prophets/saints and ordinary people lies in their 'essence,' not just 'form.'
• Empirical sciences and conventional psychology fail to grasp 'unique' phenomena.
• The power of prophets stemmed from their comprehensive doctrine, character, and charisma, not merely miracles.
• Those who transcend the average are often reduced by superficial observers to their own level.