Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
1.3
0.6
Journals
Religions
Special Issues
Islamic Colloquia of Edinburgh (ICE) Conference (7–9 July 2025): Miracles...
share announcement

Islamic Colloquia of Edinburgh (ICE) Conference (7–9 July 2025): Miracles in Islam

A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444). This special issue belongs to the section "Religions and Theologies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2025) | Viewed by 12926

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Shoaib Ahmed Malik

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH1 2LX, UK
Interests: Islamic theology; Islamic philosophy; Islam and science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to the first annual online conference of the Islamic Colloquia of Edinburgh (ICE), hosted by the University of Edinburgh (https://divinity.ed.ac.uk/news-and-events/upcoming-events/islamic-colloquia-of-edinburgh-ice-conference). ICE is dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and research on Islamic theology, philosophy, and the relationship between Islam and science. As an annual platform for scholars and students worldwide, ICE aims to explore key questions and topics that contribute to the advancement of Islamic thought. This year’s theme, Miracles in Islam, engages one of the most central and contested areas in Islamic intellectual history. Miracles have played a pivotal role in shaping perspectives on divine intervention, prophecy, and the relationship between faith and reason, both historically and in contemporary times.

Aim of the Special Issue and scope

This Special Issue aims to gather leading research on miracles in Islam, situating them within the wider scope of Islamic theology, philosophy, Qurʾānic studies, and the dialogue between Islam and science. The subject aligns closely with the journal’s remit to explore religions in their intellectual, historical, and cultural contexts.

Suggested themes and article types for submissions

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Miracles in Islamic History: Classical theological and philosophical discussions of miracles, the role of prophecy, and the perspectives of various Islamic thinkers and schools.
  • Miracles in the Modern World: Contemporary reflections on miracles in light of developments in modern philosophy and science.
  • ʾIʿjāz al-Qurʾān (Inimitability of the Qurʾān): The doctrine of inimitability, its historical development, theological dimensions, and reception within and outside Islamic discourse.
  • Scientific Miracles in the Qurʾān: Critical engagement with the modern discourse on scientific miracles, its origins, theological implications, and controversies.

Expected Impact

We hope that this Special Issue will stimulate new research and deepen critical engagement with the concept of miracles in Islam. By bringing together scholars from diverse disciplines, this collection aims to advance contemporary understanding of how miracles have been conceptualised across history and how they continue to inform debates at the intersection of theology, philosophy, science, and Qurʾānic studies. We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarising their intended contribution. Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editor to ensure proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Shoaib Ahmed Malik
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • miracles
  • Islam
  • Islamic theology
  • Islamic philosophy
  • Qurʾān
  • ʾIʿjāz al-Qurʾān
  • scientific miracles
  • faith and reason
  • Islam and science
  • prophecy

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

17 pages, 348 KB  
Article
From “What” Makes It Miraculous to “How” It Is Miraculous: The Qurʾān’s Methodological Revolution
by Mohammed Gamal Abdelnour
Religions 2026, 17(1), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17010037 - 30 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1293
Abstract
This article reinterprets the doctrine of iʿjāz al-Qurʾān (the inimitability of the Qurʾān) by shifting the question from what makes the Qurʾān miraculous to how it is miraculous. It argues that the Qurʾān’s primary miracle lies not merely in its content, i.e., [...] Read more.
This article reinterprets the doctrine of iʿjāz al-Qurʾān (the inimitability of the Qurʾān) by shifting the question from what makes the Qurʾān miraculous to how it is miraculous. It argues that the Qurʾān’s primary miracle lies not merely in its content, i.e., its eloquence or correspondence with scientific truth, but in its method: the transformation of the very frameworks through which knowledge, reason, and revelation were understood. Using Muḥammad ʿĀbid al-Jābirī’s tripartite epistemology of bayān (expressive reasoning), burhān (demonstrative reasoning), and ʿirfān (reflective reasoning) together with Gadamer’s “fusion of horizons,” the article argues that the Qurʾān can be read as fusing and transcending these three systems, uniting Arabic eloquence, Greek rationalism, and Persian–gnostic spirituality into a single, holistic discourse. Through close analysis of key passages, such as Abraham’s dialectical reasoning in Sūrat al-Anbiyāʾ and the metaphysics of light in Āyat al-Nūr, the article shows how the Qurʾān integrates poetic language, rational argument, and mystical depth to create an epistemic design that addresses intellect, emotion, and spirit simultaneously. This synthesis allows the Qurʾān to be interpreted, within classical and later exegetical traditions, not only as a linguistic or theological miracle but as a paradigmatic reconfiguration of cognition: one that these traditions understood as teaching readers how to think, reflect, and awaken. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Islamic Colloquia of Edinburgh (ICE) Conference (7–9 July 2025): Miracles in Islam)
16 pages, 356 KB  
Article
A Miracle for Whom? Al-Sharīf Al-Murtaḍā’s Theory of Audience-Relative Miracles
by MohammadReza Moini
Religions 2025, 16(12), 1592; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16121592 - 18 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1084
Abstract
This article examines the theory of miracles formulated by the distinguished Shī’ī-Mu’tazilī theologian, al-Sharīf al-Murtaḍā (965–1044 CE), specifically to contextualize his controversial doctrine of Qurʾānic iʿjāz, known as ṣarfah. The study reconstructs al-Murtaḍā’s general theory of miracles by analyzing his primary [...] Read more.
This article examines the theory of miracles formulated by the distinguished Shī’ī-Mu’tazilī theologian, al-Sharīf al-Murtaḍā (965–1044 CE), specifically to contextualize his controversial doctrine of Qurʾānic iʿjāz, known as ṣarfah. The study reconstructs al-Murtaḍā’s general theory of miracles by analyzing his primary works and comparing his positions with standard Muʿtazilī theology. The investigation focused on how his metaphysical and moral frameworks interact to define the nature of miracles. I argue that al-Murtaḍā articulated a “minimal theory of miracles,” wherein miracles function as restricted, localized, and audience-relative “breaches of norms” (khawāriq al-ʿādāt) rather than violations of universal laws. In his view, miracles are morally necessary but temporally restricted acts of God, designed solely to authenticate a prophet to their immediate community. Al-Murtaḍā’s theory shifts the evidential burden of prophetic proof—including the Qur’ān—from continuing intrinsic supernatural qualities to discrete historical testimony. Finally, this study suggests that al-Murtaḍā appears to offer a rationally coherent alternative notion of miracles, that may well succeed from some of the most pressing contemporary intellectual challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Islamic Colloquia of Edinburgh (ICE) Conference (7–9 July 2025): Miracles in Islam)
23 pages, 418 KB  
Article
Defending the Gate of Inimitability: Abū Rashīd al-Naysābūrī (d. After 415/1024) and the Freethinker Critiques
by Omar Aladwani
Religions 2025, 16(12), 1584; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16121584 - 17 Dec 2025
Viewed by 924
Abstract
The intellectual legacy of the Baṣrān Muʿtazila has had a profound and lasting impact on the development of discussions on Qurʾānic inimitability. Numerous writings have been composed by Baṣrān Muʿtazila on the topic; among them is Iʿjāz al-Qurʾān by Abū Rashīd al-Naysābūrī, an [...] Read more.
The intellectual legacy of the Baṣrān Muʿtazila has had a profound and lasting impact on the development of discussions on Qurʾānic inimitability. Numerous writings have been composed by Baṣrān Muʿtazila on the topic; among them is Iʿjāz al-Qurʾān by Abū Rashīd al-Naysābūrī, an unpublished manuscript preserved in the King Saud University Library under the number 7752. This paper focuses on the development of al-Naysābūrī’s understanding of Qurʾānic inimitability in the context of this manuscript, especially analysing his reception of early Muʿtazilī (specifically Bahshamī) thoughts on Qurʾānic inimitability. Moreover, it pays particular attention to al-Naysābūrī’s engagement with the critiques directed against the Bahshamī theory of Qurʾānic inimitability. This paper adopts a source-criticism approach to studying the manuscript and evaluating the historical development of its contents. It argues that the theoretical foundation underlying the theory of miraculous eloquence developed by ʿAbd al-Jabbār drew al-Naysābūrī’s attention towards a deep engagement with hypothetical dialogues inspired by the refutations of questions concerning Qurʾānic inimitability posed by the freethinkers’ movement. This engagement prompted al-Naysābūrī to adopt and assess numerous hypothetical frameworks and conditional views, including the ṣarfa theory, in his defence of Qurʾānic inimitability. This approach of addressing the freethinker critiques aligns greatly with the dynamic and responsive nature of Baṣrān Muʿtazila’s thoughts against freethinkers’ movement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Islamic Colloquia of Edinburgh (ICE) Conference (7–9 July 2025): Miracles in Islam)
11 pages, 967 KB  
Article
Ibn Rushd on Miracles: Between Natural Law and Public Belief
by Maryam A. Alsayyed
Religions 2025, 16(12), 1516; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16121516 - 30 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1393
Abstract
This article explores the philosophical foundations of religion in Ibn Rushd’s thought, with particular attention to his treatment of miracles. It argues that Ibn Rushd relocates the discussion of miracles from the domain of natural philosophy to that of practical philosophy, where religion [...] Read more.
This article explores the philosophical foundations of religion in Ibn Rushd’s thought, with particular attention to his treatment of miracles. It argues that Ibn Rushd relocates the discussion of miracles from the domain of natural philosophy to that of practical philosophy, where religion fulfills a civic and ethical function by shaping public belief and encouraging virtuous action. The study begins by examining Ibn Rushd’s critical engagement with the Ashʿarī theologians, focusing on his deconstruction of their arguments on miracles and his rejection of al-Ghazālī’s occasionalism in the debate over causality and the proof of miracles. It then turns to Ibn Rushd’s constructive position, which rests on three central elements: first, belief in miracles is fundamental to religious faith and not open to philosophical dispute; second, the miracle that validates prophethood consists in the establishment of divine laws that regulate thought and conduct; and third, this conception is grounded in the Qurʾān, representing the most authentic understanding of revelation. While the primary aim of the article is to clarify Ibn Rushd’s philosophical account of miracles and his reorientation of the debate toward practical philosophy, it also highlights his broader concern with the role of Sharīʿa in guiding communal beliefs and moral practices. This study also brings to light Ibn Rushd’s reliance on tawātur as a form of self-evident knowledge that secures certainty without the need for rational proof. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Islamic Colloquia of Edinburgh (ICE) Conference (7–9 July 2025): Miracles in Islam)
16 pages, 358 KB  
Article
Miracles and the Holy Spirit in the Sufi Metaphysics of ʿAbd al-Karīm al-Jīlī
by Fitzroy Morrissey
Religions 2025, 16(11), 1423; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16111423 - 7 Nov 2025
Viewed by 2113
Abstract
In this paper, I analyze the account of miracles given by ʿAbd al-Karīm al-Jīlī (d. 811/1408), one of the major interpreters of the Sufi metaphysics of Ibn ʿArabī (d. 638/1240). Al-Jīlī outlines his theory of miracles in chapter fifty of his major work, [...] Read more.
In this paper, I analyze the account of miracles given by ʿAbd al-Karīm al-Jīlī (d. 811/1408), one of the major interpreters of the Sufi metaphysics of Ibn ʿArabī (d. 638/1240). Al-Jīlī outlines his theory of miracles in chapter fifty of his major work, al-Insān al-kāmil fī maʿrifat al-awākhir wa-l-awāʾil, which is devoted to the Holy Spirit. Based on a close reading of this chapter and other relevant sections of al-Insān al-kāmil, I suggest that al-Jīlī’s interest in miracles reflects the miracle-saturated Yemeni environment in which he wrote, and find that he most often uses taṣarrufāt (“acts of free disposal”) to denote saintly miracles, rather than the more common karāmāt. Most significantly, I show how, based on his threefold categorization of humanity (into those dominated by their physical form, spiritual things, and divine things), he articulates a hierarchy of the miraculous, distinguishing between bodily miracles, which indicate the dominance of the Holy Spirit, and the higher level of creative speech acts, which reflect the dominance of God’s creative attributes. Finally, notwithstanding the fact that his account of miracles and the Holy Spirit chimes with certain Christian ideas, I show that miracles, in his view, point to the spiritual pre-eminence of the Prophet Muhammad. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Islamic Colloquia of Edinburgh (ICE) Conference (7–9 July 2025): Miracles in Islam)
29 pages, 451 KB  
Article
On Literary Miracles and Social Credibility: The Epistemology of an Islamic Argument
by Erkki V. R. Kojonen
Religions 2025, 16(10), 1319; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16101319 - 18 Oct 2025
Viewed by 4561
Abstract
The idea that the Qur’an is miraculous is common in Islamic apologetics, but has received little attention in Western philosophy of religion. Despite the common claim that the supposed miracle of the Qur’an is distinct in not requiring testimonial support, testimonial considerations are [...] Read more.
The idea that the Qur’an is miraculous is common in Islamic apologetics, but has received little attention in Western philosophy of religion. Despite the common claim that the supposed miracle of the Qur’an is distinct in not requiring testimonial support, testimonial considerations are central for many claims about Qur’anic inimitability. This article clarifies and evaluates the logic of such arguments for the purpose of fostering inter-religious understanding and raising the intellectual level of discourse. The analysis focuses on three different versions of the literary miracle claim: (1) arguments from early Muslim history, (2) arguments from Muslim aesthetic experience, and (3) arguments from Qur’anic literary features. Using recent advances in social epistemology and critical Islamic studies, the article explores how religious testimonial inferences can be evaluated and the difficulties involved in arguing for a literary miracle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Islamic Colloquia of Edinburgh (ICE) Conference (7–9 July 2025): Miracles in Islam)
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop