Incidentally, this amazing feat of Shaitan is not termed as “Karamat”, but “istidraj”. Any feat that appears to be supernatural or wondrous, shown by one not following the Shariah, cannot be termed a “Karamat”. It is “istidraj” and trap for the unwary – a trick to lead them astray.
Shaitan, as we all know, is the head of the kuffar – his kufr is the greatest – yet he has the capability of manifesting this amazing feat of setting his takht on the sea and gathering all his fellow Shayatin on it. Despite being weighty, the takht does not sink into the sea. This is “istidraj” which Allah Ta’ala sets forth as a test. This is mentioned by the way, to warn the unwary not to be hoodwinked by those disobedient to Allah Ta’ala.
When evening approaches, Shaitan spreads his takht on the sea and seats himself on it. His offspring, fellow Shayatin, who had been roaming around since the morning spreading their evil, return to give their reports. Shaitan listens to all and comments indifferently and impatiently at each one`s repot and responds: “Yes, yes. Well done. Yes, yes. Well done. “Then one gets up and says: “Listen to my report: Today I created friction between husband and wife, with the result that both flew into a rage – ghussah got hold of them.”
It comes in the Hadith Sharif that if anyone is overcome with ghussah at the time that something goes against his temperament, in appearance he is a human being, but, in reality he is a beast and he has approached the edge of Jahannam – a slight push and he is inside!
Th little Shaitan continues: “Having caused them to fly into a fit of rage, I goaded them on until a stage was reached where the husband gave the wife three talaqs”. At hearing this, Shaitan (senior) stands up in happiness and comes to pat the other shaitan on his back. “Shabash! Shabash! You have really done a great piece of work! Shabash! Bravo!” Shaitan seats himself again.
Finally another Shaitan stands up. “Listen to me as well!” The big Shaitan asks. “What do you wish to say?” This Shaytan says: “A talibul-ilm was going for classes, I tackled him. I whispered first one thing then another to him until I managed to stop him from proceeding to his class. I managed to get him to put his satchel down and got him involved in playing games. In this way, I prevent him from proceeding to aquire `ilme-Din`”. The nig Shaitan again stands up in sheer joy. He comes and pats the Shaitan on his back and then clasps him joyfully to his breast. “Shabash! Shabash!” he cries exultantly.
Why did the big Shaitan joyfully clasp the other Shaitan to his breast? His reason is that he feels greatly offended at anybody attaining `ilm of Din. So to say he thinks as follows.” There is disgrace in this for me. When that child grows up he may become an `alim of the Din, a faqih. How many sinners will he not bring back to the Straight Path! He will burden me like a mountain! He will be an obstruction in my scheming and istidraj.”
That is why it comes in the Hadith Sharif:
One faqih is more burdensome on Shaitan than a thousand `abeds.
