Question: Why were miracles of abundance concerning food and water not reported through as many channels as the grieving pole, even though more people saw them?

Answer: There are two kinds of miracles. Some affirmed his Prophethood. The grieving pole is of this kind, for it is a proof that strengthens the believers' belief, urges hypocrites to belief and sincerity, and causes unbelievers to believe. This is why everyone witnessed it and so much effort was exerted to spread it. The other kind of miracles involving food and water are wonders or Divine gifts, even banquets provided by the All‑Merciful One because of need, rather than manifest miracles.

Although they are miraculous proofs of his Prophethood, their real significance is that God, Who creates hundreds of tons of dates from a single date‑stone, provides a banquet for 1,000 people out of a little food and satiates a thirsty army of holy warriors with water flowing abundantly from the Prophet's fingers. This is why each miracle related to food and water does not reach the degree of the miracle of the grieving pole.

However, examples of these two kinds of miracles are considered, in their entirety, to have been as widely reported as the grieving pole. Besides, while each person present could see only the effects (and not the incidents) of the abundant food and water, with some only witnessing their happening, the pole's moaning was heard by everyone. This is another reason why the latter was spread so widely.