Almost every nation on earth believes in a creed, and follows its teachings and instructions. Any nation that does not believe in a specific creed has no religion.
Since the dawn of history, man instinctively looks for the reason for his existence on earth; that is to say, the reason for his existence in this vast universe. He wants to get answers for the questions raised in his mind, such as, ‘Who has created me? What is the goal behind my existence?’
The urge to have and adhere to a specific creed is just like all other instinctive drives that man needs to satisfy. For example, the instinct of hanger leads man to work hard to get sustenance to live. Likewise, the instinct of believing in a specific creed leads man to think about things like, ‘from where he came, and where his end will be’; think about this universe, ‘who has created it, what and how will be its end.’ Such inquires make him discover that this universe must have a Creator.
Allah, out of His mercy, sent messengers to guide people to the right path for knowing the Creator, how they worship Him, and what the result will be if they obey or disobey Him, etc.
Throughout history, there have been only two types of creed: divine creeds, and philosophical and intellectual creeds.
The source of divine creeds is the Creator, and His messengers convey His revelation. On the other hand, the source of man-made creeds is human intellect, and then thinkers and philosophers convey them.
All creeds, whether divine or man-made agree on distinguishing between good and evil, and hold that virtuous deeds are good, and vicious deeds are bad. The basic difference between the two types of creed is that divine creeds draw their teachings from the Creator. On the other hand, man-made creeds build people’s life on intellectual principles whose founders agree to adhere to.
Divine Revelation
Human intellects differ from a person to another. Some are smart and others are stupid. Likewise, people vary in their knowledge according to their ability to deduce and infer from information available everywhere in the universe. Therefore, Allah has not left man a salve to his defect understanding, which is likely to arrive at the wrong conclusion. Allah, out of His mercy, sent messengers to guide people to the right path regarding whatever they need in this life and the hereafter.
Those messengers received the message of Allah through revelation.
Definition of Revelation ‘Wahy’
In the Arabic language, ‘wahy’ is derived from ‘waha, or awha’. It means inspiration, signal, message, command, and gesture, the meanings of which can be summarized as ‘informing others secretly.’
Ar-Rãghb al-Asfahãny said: ‘Essentially, wahy means a quick signal. It is done by means of symbols, sound, gestures of some organs, and writing.
Types of Revelation According to its Linguistic Meaning
1. Instinctive inspiration to man. For example, Allah inspired the mother of Moses to breastfeed her son. Allah says, interpretation of meaning: (We inspired the mother of Moses, saying: ‘Breastfeed him…’)[Q 28:7]
2. Instinctive inspiration to animals. For example, inspiration to the bees. Allah says, interpretation of meaning: (Your Lord inspired the bees, saying: ‘Make your homes in the mountains, and the trees as well as in trellis that man makes.)[Q116:68]
3. Allah’s inspiration to non-living things. Allah says, interpretation of meaning :( He completed the creation of the seven heavens in two days. And He inspired in each heaven its required function…)[Q41:12]
4. Allah’s inspiration to the angles. Allah says, interpretation of meaning: (Remember when your Lord revealed to the angels, “I am with you, helping you. Therefore, make firm those who believed.”)[Q8:12]
5. A quick signal by an organ. For example, Prophet Zachariah signaled to his people, as stated in the Quran, interpretation of meaning: (Then, he came out to his people from the sanctuary, and signaled to them to glorify Allah in the morning and the evening.)[Q19:11]
6. Satan’s temptations. Allah says, interpretation of meaning:(In the same manner, We have made for every prophet an enemy – devilish people and jinn, deceivingly suggest one another beautified speech…)[Q6:112]
Definition of Revelation ‘wahy’ in Islamic Shari’ah
Allah informs one of His prophets of a Shari’ah ruling and the like.
Allah: it means that according to Islamic Shari’ah that the only source of divine revelation is Allah, be exalted.
Allah informs: it includes all types of revelations that Allah reveals to His prophets.
One of His prophets: according to Islamic Shari’ah, the divine revelation is revealed only to the Prophets of Allah.
Shari’ah ruling: it indicates the nature of the revealed thing.
And the like: it is added to refer to things such as stories that are mentioned in the revelation.
Types of Revelation According to Shari’ah Meaning
1. In dreams: This is the first level of revelation. Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: ‘The beginning of divine revelation to the Messengerﷺ was seeing good visions. He never saw any dream but it came true like the break of day.’
Alqama bin Qays, the companion of Abudl-Allah bin Mas’ûd, said: ‘The first thing that the Prophets are given is seeing visions so that their hearts become assured. Then divine revelation comes when they are awake.’
2. Allah speaks directly to one of His slaves. For example, Allah spoke directly to Moses. Allah says, interpretation of meaning: (Allah spoke directly to Moses.)[Q4:164]
3. A strong feeling that Allah creates in the heart of His prophet i.e. it is like something he perceives by the five senses so that he neither resists, nor doubts it. The Messengerﷺ said: ‘Verily, Gabriel made me strongly perceive that no soul will die unless it completely takes its full sustenance. Thus, fear Allah, and seek sustenance lawfully.’
4. Divine revelation by means of angel Gabriel. The Quran is revealed by this means. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, (Say, ‘It has been truthfully revealed by Gabriel from your Lord that it may make firm those who believe and as guidance and good news for the Muslims.)[Q16:102]
These types of revelation have been mentioned in the following ãyã:
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