What is the reality of those who perform extraordinary acts and claim to be righteous awliya (close friends of Allah), such as flying in the air?
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The questioner : In the saying of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) regarding Satan: [Ibrahim 14:22] We know that the call of Satan, or the call of Satan’s supporters or his helpers... is through whispering and suggestion. We see and hear often that some people, who are awliya of Satan, fly in the air or perform extraordinary deeds. How do we reconcile the fact that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said regarding Satan that it is a call, yet they perform unusual deeds? We seek clarification.
The Shaykh : These people who perform extraordinary acts are helped by the devils in doing so, because they responded to the call of the devils; they responded to the call of Satan, so the devils helped them in what they desire. For example, these people cannot do what they do of these miracles unless they associate partners with Allah and disbelieve in Him by obeying Satan. Either Satan tells him: prostrate to him, or sacrifice to him, or something similar that constitutes shirk (associating partners with Allah) and kufr (disbelief). Then the devils help them in these matters. The devils actually carry them to distant places, but people do not see them. So a person thinks that these who performed these miracles are awliya of Allah, but in reality, they are enemies of Allah and awliya of the devils. Yes, is it clear now?
And His saying:[Ibrahim 14:22] is broader than what I mentioned, meaning that even if a person calls to shirk (associating partners with Allah) and associates partners with Allah, he has responded to Satan.
The questioner : In the interpretation of the verse, we say that...
The Shaykh : In the interpretation of the verse, we say: I have no authority over you, nor do I have power or ability or proof over you, but I called you to what I called you to, and you responded to me.
But I had no authority over you except that I invited you, and you responded to me
وَمَا كَانَ لِيَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ سُلْطَانٍ إِلَّا أَنْ دَعَوْتُكُمْ فَاسْتَجَبْتُمْ لِيThe Shaykh : These people who perform extraordinary acts are helped by the devils in doing so, because they responded to the call of the devils; they responded to the call of Satan, so the devils helped them in what they desire. For example, these people cannot do what they do of these miracles unless they associate partners with Allah and disbelieve in Him by obeying Satan. Either Satan tells him: prostrate to him, or sacrifice to him, or something similar that constitutes shirk (associating partners with Allah) and kufr (disbelief). Then the devils help them in these matters. The devils actually carry them to distant places, but people do not see them. So a person thinks that these who performed these miracles are awliya of Allah, but in reality, they are enemies of Allah and awliya of the devils. Yes, is it clear now?
And His saying:
except that I invited you, and you responded to me
إِلَّا أَنْ دَعَوْتُكُمْ فَاسْتَجَبْتُمْ لِيThe questioner : In the interpretation of the verse, we say that...
The Shaykh : In the interpretation of the verse, we say: I have no authority over you, nor do I have power or ability or proof over you, but I called you to what I called you to, and you responded to me.