Supernatural and seemingly miraculous acts displayed by evil persons (kuffaar and even fusaaq Muslims) are called lstidraaj. Out of ignorance numerous people are trapped and tricked by such displays. The deviates and deceits utilize their istidraaj to gain followers so as to achieve the fulfilment of their worldly motives. Hadhrat Shah Abdul Haqq Muhaddith Dehlwi (rahmatullah alayh) states in Ildibaarul Akhyaar that Shah Abdul Wahhaab (rahmatullah alayh) said that even evil and bid’ati people acquire sometimes abilities to demonstrate supernatural feats which they employ to draw people towards them. Hadhrat Shah Abdul Wahhaab (rahmatullah alayh) narrates the following episode:

“Once I visited a city in the land of Dhakkan. The Qaadhi there was Abdul Azeez, a follower of the Shaafi Math-hab. I asked the Qaadhi if there was any Faqeer (Saint) in the city as I desired to spend a few days in his company. The Qaadhi said that there was one Faqeer who attracted crowds of people to him. He had many disciples. However, the Qaadhi was displeased with him because his (the Faqeer’s) acts were in conflict with the Shariah.

When I arrived at the Faqeer’s place I found him seated on a high platform and a crowd of men and women was around him. The Faqeer happily welcoined me and offered me wine to drink. When I pointed out that liquor is haraam, the Faqeer insisted that I drink it. When I rebuffed his repeated instructions to drink, he exclaimed in a rage:

“You refuse to drink the wine. Beware of what I shall do to you.”

I left the Faqeer highly agitated. That night after I fell asleep I saw in a dream a beautiful orchard, full of luxurious growth. Several streams of water were flowing. It was the most wonderful orchard I had ever beheld. It was beyond description. However, the pathway leading to the orchard was strewn with obstades, thorns and many difficulties. It was impossible to reach the orchard. Suddenly I saw the Faqeer infront of me holding a glass of wine and saving: ‘Drink this wine and I shall permit you to enter the orchard.’ I refused just as persistently as I had refused when I was awake. My eyes opened and I was full of distress. I recited Taahoula wala tiuwwata illa billahil azeem’ and went to sleep. I then saw^- the same vision. I must have seen the same dream 40 or 50 times, Allah knows best.

Finally, suffering the greatest grief and distress, I sat up and recited Durood on Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in abundance, made dua to Allah Ta’ala and fell asleep. I now dreamt that I was in the presence of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) who had a stick in his hand. Suddenly the bid’ati Faqeer appeared on the scene. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) flung the stick at him and the bid’ati was transformed into a dog which ran away. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) addressing me said: “He has fled. He will no longer stay in this city.”

In the morning I went to his place and discovered that the shaitaan had left. People informed me that he had taken his belongings and hastily departed.”

A number of lessons are derived from this episode.

• Never be deceived by supernatural feats no matter how mind-boggling and amazing. Evil persons are also able to demonstrate such feats.
• The criterion of Haqq (Truth) is not miraculous The criterion of Haqq is only the Shariah. If a miraculous deed is displayed by a man who is the embodiment of Rasulullah’s (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) Sunnah, it will be regarded as a karaamat (a true miracle enacted with the permission of Allah Ta’ala). If it is displayed by a faasiq or a kaafir, it is a manifestation of shaitaan.
• Never be awed or enamoured by the amazing displays , of supposed saints and faqeers who lay claim to piety. The Ahl-e-Bid’ah and Qabr Pujaari (Grave-Worshipping) so-called peers (spiritual guides) are the prime contenders in this field of They beguile ignorant and simple folk with religious slogans and claims of Hubb-e­Rasool (Love for the Rasool). Under this guise they rob people of their Imaan for the sake of their despicable pecuniary motives.

* No matter how holy a man may appear, if his life­style is in conflict with the Shariah and the Sunnah does not permeate his every action, then never submit to his instructions. Adopt the rigid stand of Shaikh Abdul Wahhaab (rahmatullah alavh) and seek the aid and protection of Allah Ta’ala.

• The perpetrators of bid’ah are symbolized by dogs, hence the shaitaani bid’ati was transformed into a dog when Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) ^.flung his staff at him.
• Bid’at (innovation) is a dangerous curse which destroys Inman. Therefore, beware!