Imam Ali bin Musa ar-Ridha (a.

Imam Ali bin Musa ar-Ridha (a.s.) said that the types of miracles varied according to the need of the time and were accepted as conclusive proof of the Prophet’s Divine appointment.[^11] In early days when a Prophet (S) preached obedience to One Omnipotent God Who will hold them to account, people reviled him saying that if there would be punishment in the hereafter why they were not tormented immediately.

However, God always warned in advance through His Apostles before sending down chastisement on any nation or community.[^12] Thus, God sent the deluge and those who disbelieved Noah’s Messengership and Message were drowned.[^13] Similarly, the people of Aad disbelieved the Prophet Hud whom they called a liar. They said, “Should we abandon our ancestral deities and worship one God?

Then bring down the scourge with which you threaten us if you are really in truth .” The believers were saved and the disbelievers annihilated.[^14] On similar lines, was the case of the prophets Salih,[^15] Lot[^16], Shu’aib…etc.[^17] The reason for the annihilating scourges is to make men realise that there is an Almighty Lord before Whom they are humble.

Abraham (a.s.) was sought to be punished by his people for calling them to worship One Almighty God and to desist worshiping idols of their own making. A huge fire was prepared which was so intense that a catapult was made and Abraham (a.s.) was thrown from it into the fire.

Miraculously, on the Command of the Almighty, the fire did not harm Abraham (a.s.).[^18] The saving of Ishmael (a.s.) from being sacrificed by Abraham was yet another miracle.[^19] Abraham was endowed with the miracle of raising the dead to life when he wanted to know how the dead would be raised to life. He was asked to tear birds into pieces and throw the pieces on the tops of mountains and then to call them back. The birds came flying.[^20] During the period of Solomon, Satan taught sorcery.

Harut and Marut in Babylon taught magic to men who used it only to cause harm and no benefit to anyone.[^21] The people of Moses demanded miracles as assurance that he was indeed divinely appointed.[^22] During the period of Moses (a.s.), men became so adept at sorcery that they thought they were invincible. Moses and Aaron (a.s.) were unable to convince the Pharaoh to give up the claim of his godship and to accept and submit to an Almighty Lord Who will call the Pharaoh to account for his deeds.