Concealing Karamat (Theurgy) by Aulia (Saints): The Basis and Reasons

It can be seen from the texts of many Sufis that concealing Karamat has been a common mystical behavior. Concealing is the principle in Karamat unless the will of God reveals it. In comparison with the disclosure in the miracles, concealing in Karamat leads the researcher to a mystical basis that distinguishes Karamat from miracles as well as other transcendental habits. The present study investigates the causes of concealing Karamat and then presents two different approaches of Aulia (Saints) towards their own Karamat. In Karamat, instead of the indicators of ‘challenge’ and ‘expression’, two indicators of ‘concealing’ and ‘demand’ have been proposed, which are seemingly conflicting. The mystic must be both the seeker of Karamat and indifferent to it. The difference between these two rulings should be sought in the difference between the types of sensory and spiritual miracles as well as the types of mystics. The results of the present study show a mystical basis in concealing Karamat that should be considered even in the definition of Karamat. Such a realistic approach to the Karamat of Aulia could greatly contribute to the credibility of such controversial phenomena.