What is istidraj?

There are those who fool innocent people by telling them of their mystical exertions, which are actually istidraj from Satan. One should not be deluded by those who claim supernatural feats, because such things can be manifested by disbelievers as well, and it is not a prerequisite of a true shaykh that he manifest extraordinary acts or supernatural feats.

Izz ibn Abd al-Salam rahimahullah, a Shafi'i scholar and mujtahid, writes: "If one sees someone who can fly through the air, walk on water, or inform one of the unseens, but who contravenes the Sacred Law or Shariáh by committing an unlawful act without an extenuating circumstance that legally excuses it, or who neglects an obligatory act without lawful reason, one should know that such a person is a devil whom Allah has placed as a temptation to the ignorant. Nor is it far-fetched that such a person should be one of the means by which Allah chooses to lead men astray, for the Antichrist (al-Dajjal) will bring the dead to life and make the living die, all as a temptation and affliction to those who would be misled."

Bayazid al-Bustami rahimahullah put the same test plainly: "If you see a man who has been given the ability to perform miracles, so much so that he can fly in the air, then do not be deceived by him until you see his state with regards to observance of Shariáh." Marvels settle nothing about a man; his observance of the Shariah does.