A Research Review of Narrations Related to Karamat in the Light of the Principles of Hadith

Abstract

This scholarly study is a thorough academic discussion of the concept of Karamat (miracles of saints) against the backdrop of the foundations of the sciences of Hadith (Usul al-Hadith). The paper critically examines the linguistic and terminological meaning of Karamat, Quranic evidences of Karamat, the narrations of the Prophetic Sunnah, and the methodology of the Muhaddithin (scholars of Hadith) and Sufis. The research uses stringent isnad (chain of transmission) and matn (textual) criticism to differentiate authentic, hasan, weak, and fabricated reports about Karamat. The results indicate that Karamat is an established fact in normal Sunni Islam as a divine bless bestowed upon the righteous servants (awliya) although it should never become an obligatory requirement in Wilayah (sainthood). The authentic Karamat is based on taqwa (God-consciousness), the Shariah and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. The work is a critical assessment of the exaggerated Sufi anecdotes and modern pseudo-Karamat phenomena, spread via social media, and their detrimental effects on people trust and social-moral education of children. The study underlines the moderate (i’tidal) Islamic stance which does not take either the extreme of utter denial nor over-worship of Karamat. It concludes that the initial and best manifestation of Karamat is in adherence to the Quran and Sunnah as opposed to the miraculous physical manifestations. They provide practical suggestions to parents, educators, and religious scholars to safeguard the new generation of fake narratives on Islam and to foster genuine Islamic spirituality in the family and society.

Keywords: Karamat, Usul al-Hadith, Wilayah, Isnād and Matn Criticism, Sufi and Muhaddith Methodology, Balanced Islamic Approach, Contemporary Misconceptions, Social Media and Faith, Child Upbringing in Islam, Taqwa and Shariah Compliance.