The Relation between the Intellect and Miraculousness (A Research on the Suitability of Miracles)

Conformity of miracle of every prophet with the prevailing art and occupation of every time is a well-known matter among scholars. Such a theme is narrated for the first time through a chain of transmitters from the 10th Shi‘a Imam (al-Hadi), though it is attributed to the 8th Imam (al-Rida). As the chain of transmission of the hadith is poor, investigation of its theme is necessary. In this hadith, the transmitter asks first the reason of difference of prophets’ miracles first and Imam treats conformity of miracles with the prevailing art of prophet’s time as necessary considering eloquence of people of the time as an accomplishing factor in this regard. Then, the transmitter asks about the authoritative agent of his own time and Imam introduces the intellect. In order to present a way for understanding why authority of the intellect is presented as opposing the miraculousness of the Quran which may allude to non-authority of the Quran because of lack of eloquence in people of later times, the present essay investigates the role of intellect in the authority of miracles, whether sensory or intellectual, and comes to the conclusion that the intellect has simultaneously been present even in sensory miracles playing a significant role in accomplishment of the latter’s authority. On the other hand, authority of the Quran in all times is concluded by mentioning various dimensions of Quranic miraculousness and eternity of its miraculousness. Therefore, it is concluded that the final part of hadith does not intend to negate authority of the Quran; rather, it introduces the intellect as an authoritative proof which can distinguish between truthful and liar people.