Miracles Are Proofs for the Eyewitness Only

Chapter 22 of *Some Answered Questions* is titled "Miracles." The question put to 'Abdu'l-Bahá was whether the miracles recorded of Christ should be accepted literally, since "it has been proved by exact science" that all beings are under one universal law, and "that which is contrary to universal law is impossible."

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His answer begins:

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> The Holy Manifestations are the sources of miracles and the > originators of wonderful signs. For Them, any difficult and > impracticable thing is possible and easy.

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But, He continues, for the Manifestations such wonders have no importance, and "They do not even wish to mention them." Even a great miracle is a proof only for those who are present when it is performed, not for those who are absent. A seeker who is a stranger to Moses and Christ, told of Their marvels, may answer that the Brahmans too have written a book of wonders, and ask how he is to know which account is true.

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He had made the same point about Bahá'u'lláh in chapter 10, in the words that give this story its title:

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> Yes, miracles are proofs for the eyewitness only, and even he may > regard them not as a miracle but as an enchantment. Extraordinary > feats have also been related of some conjurors.

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In chapter 22 He says that "in the day of the Manifestation the people with insight see that all the conditions of the Manifestation are miracles." He points to Christ, Who, "solitary and alone, without a helper or protector, without armies and legions, and under the greatest oppression, uplifted the standard of God before all the people of the world, and withstood them, and finally conquered all, although outwardly He was crucified. Now this is a veritable miracle which can never be denied."

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He adds that the miracles recorded in the Holy Books carry an inner meaning. A blind man whose sight is restored will in the end lose it again, for he will die. What matters is to give "perception and eternal life." Where the Holy Books say that the blind received sight, "the meaning is that he was inwardly blind, and that he obtained spiritual vision, or that he was ignorant and became wise, or that he was negligent and became heedful, or that he was worldly and became heavenly."

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He also makes clear: "The meaning is not that the Manifestations are unable to perform miracles, for They have all power. But for Them inner sight, spiritual healing and eternal life are the valuable and important things."

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*A retelling based on **Some Answered Questions** (chapters 22 and 10). For the fuller account, see the original.*

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