معجزه

What it means

معجزه (mo’jeze) means miracle. The word comes from Arabic مُعجِزة (mu’jiza), a noun from the root ع-ج-ز (‘a-j-z) meaning to be incapable or to fail, combined with the causative pattern that produces the meaning something that renders others incapable or something that surpasses human ability. In Islamic theology, a معجزه is specifically a miracle performed by a prophet as proof of divine authority, distinct from a karamat (کرامت), which is a grace or wonder attributed to a saint. In everyday Persian speech, معجزه is used freely for any outcome that seems impossibly good or surprising: این یه معجزه‌ست (in ye mo’jeze-st) is said whenever something wonderful happens against all odds.

How to use it

• این یه معجزه‌ست (in ye mo’jeze-st) “This is a miracle.”
• معجزه کردی (mo’jeze kardi) “You worked a miracle!” (said admiringly)
• معجزه‌آسا نجات پیدا کرد (mo’jeze-âsâ nejât peydâ kard) “He was saved miraculously.”
• انتظار معجزه داشتن (entezâr-e mo’jeze dâshtan) “to expect a miracle”

Cultural note

In Iranian religious culture the معجزات (mo’jezât, plural) of the prophets are a familiar part of Shia Islamic storytelling and commemoration. The miracles of Imam Ali and other imams are recounted in sermons, maddâhi (devotional singing), and religious texts. In contemporary secular speech معجزه has also become an ironic or hyperbolic word: someone finishing a project against all odds, a traffic jam clearing unexpectedly, or a dish coming out perfectly after many failed attempts can all prompt معجزه‌ست as a half-joking tribute.

References

• Dehkhoda
• Vajehyab