You may have noticed that I’ve written several blogs on various aspects of Islam. In these writings, I’ve tried to discuss different topics related to Islam in a concise and straightforward manner. One key thing to observe is that Islam fundamentally stands on the foundation of faith. The core of this faith is the divine revelation sent down by Allah. The significance of revelation in our lives is immense, and we cannot deny its importance. Our religious beliefs, practices, and everything else in our spiritual life rely heavily on revelation. Additionally, many aspects of our worldly life are also dependent on it.

Therefore, I am here to discuss the introduction to revelation, its types, its methods of protection and its importance in human life. I pray to Allah to make my work easy and beneficial for both myself and you. So, without further delay, let’s begin in the name of Allah.

As always I seek refuge in Allah Almighty from all kinds of harm and pray that He makes my work easy. I also pray that He considers this effort a means of salvation for us in this world and the hereafter. Whatever is good in my writing is entirely a blessing from Allah Almighty, and any faults are due to Satan (Devil) and my own lack of knowledge. JazakAllah. (Thank you).

The Impotance of Revelation in Human life

Introduction of Revelation

The Arabic word وَحْي (Waḥy) means “divine revelation.”

Revelation is defined as the message, command, or guidance that Allah Almighty has sent down to His chosen prophets and messengers, either directly or through an intermediary. 

Sometimes, we have written copies of the revelation, and other times we do not. The written revelations include the Quran, the Torah, the Gospel, the Psalms, and others. On the other hand, unwritten revelation usually refers to the spoken words of Allah’s chosen prophets and messengers, particularly when it pertains to religious matters. This is because Allah’s prophets and messengers would never speak outside of Allah’s commands. Whatever they said was taught to them by Allah, though they would express it in their own words. I will discuss this in more detail shortly, where I will talk about the types of revelation.

Please note: this is my own definition. If you like it, you can take it; if you don’t, you can avoid it. No problem.

Types of Revelation

As you may have noticed, I mentioned two types of revelation above: written and unwritten. Revelation generally falls into these two categories. However, they have specific academic terms:

1. Recited Revelation (Waḥy Maṭlū)
2. Non-Recited Revelation (Waḥy Ghair Maṭlū) 

Recited Revelation (Waḥy Maṭlū):

These are the revelations from Allah that have been preserved in written form exactly as they were sent down, with no changes in words or sentences. The language and teachings both come directly from Allah, and they are recited with a unique reward associated with their recitation. These are known as Recited Revelation. For example, the Quran.

The Quran is recited exactly as it was revealed by Allah, without any alterations. Reciting it brings special rewards from Allah, which is why it is considered the true revelation. To learn more about the Quran, you can refer to my post on this topic. The Importance of The Qur’an in Human Life.

Non-Recited Revelation (Waḥy Ghair Maṭlū):

On the other hand, Non-Recited Revelation refers to the teachings Allah gave to His prophets and messengers, which they presented to us in their own words. The core teaching is from Allah, but the language is that of the prophet or messenger. In simpler terms, it refers to the revelations that were not preserved in their exact words or sentences but whose teachings were conveyed to us by Allah’s command. An example of this is the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

We know that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) never spoke anything except through revelation. Allah says in the Quran:

• وَمَا يَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوٰي ؕ اِنْ هُوَ اِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُّوْحٰي  He does not speak out of (his own) desire. It is but revelation revealed (to him).[¹]

From the above verse, we learn that everything the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said throughout his life is considered part of revelation. However, if we carefully examine his words, we see that while the core teachings come from Allah, the language used is that of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This is why Hadith is referred to as Non-Recited Revelation.

If you would like to learn more about the significance of Hadith, you can read my post on this topic.

Methods of Revelation

We can learn about the various methods through which revelation was sent to the Prophet (peace be upon him) from Allah Almighty through different Hadith descriptions. Below, I present some of these methods of revelation:

1. Through Dreams: Revelation was first sent to the Prophet (peace be upon him) through true dreams. According to Sahih Bukhari, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reports that the first revelation to the Prophet (peace be upon him) was through true dreams.

2. Directly to the Prophet’s Heart: Sometimes, the Angel would deliver Allah’s commands directly to the Prophet’s heart, invisibly.

3. In the Angel’s True Form: During his lifetime, the Prophet (peace be upon him) received many revelations from Allah through the Angel Gabriel in his true form.

4. In the Form of a Human: On some occasions, the Angel would appear in the form of a human and deliver the message to the Prophet (peace be upon him).

5. Direct Revelation from Allah: This method is exemplified in the event of the Isra and Miraj (the Night Journey and Ascension), where the Prophet (peace be upon him) received direct revelation from Allah.

6. Through a Sound Like a Bell: Occasionally, revelation came with a sound similar to the ringing of a bell. This method was notably the most physically taxing for the Prophet (peace be upon him).

These are some of the ways through which revelation was sent to the Prophet (peace be upon him) by Allah. I haven’t included detailed references in this post to keep it concise, but you can find more about these methods in the first seven Hadiths of Sahih Bukhari.

Methods of Protection of Revelations

In discussing the methods of revelation, it’s crucial to understand the equally significant aspect of their protection. Allah Almighty took special measures to ensure that the revelations delivered to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) were preserved and protected from distortion or corruption. Here, I will delve into the methods through which the integrity of these divine revelations was safeguarded.

Divine Assurance and Protection

From the very beginning, Allah promised to protect the Qur’an from any corruption. This divine assurance is clearly articulated in the Qur’an itself:

• اِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَاِنَّا لَهٗ لَحٰفِظُوْنَ  We, Ourselves, have sent down the Dhikr (the Qur’ān), and We are there to protect it.[²]

This promise highlights that the preservation of the Qur’an was under the direct care of Allah. By making this promise, Allah ensured that the revelations would remain pure and unaltered.

Oral Transmission and Memorization

During the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the primary method of preserving the revelations was through memorization. The Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions took great care to memorize every verse revealed to him. This practice was deeply ingrained in the culture of the time, where oral transmission was a common method of preserving knowledge. The Prophet’s companions, known as the Huffaz, were individuals who had committed the entire Qur’an to memory. This collective memorization provided a robust safeguard against any potential loss or alteration.

Written Documentation

While oral transmission was crucial, the revelations were also meticulously documented in writing. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had scribes who recorded the revelations on various materials, including parchment, leather, and bones. These written records were kept safe and were used as reference points for verification and recitation. The systematic collection of these documents ensured that there was a tangible record of the revelations that could be referred to whenever needed.

Standardization of the Qur’an

The process of standardizing the Qur’an was another vital method of protection. After the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) passing, the first caliph, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), initiated the compilation of the Qur’an into a single book. This effort was driven by the need to preserve the Qur’an in a unified format, especially after the deaths of many Huffaz in battles. The compilation was meticulously carried out, ensuring that every verse was accurately recorded and verified against the oral memorization by the Prophet’s companions.

Rigorous Verification

To further ensure the accuracy of the revelations, a rigorous process of verification was employed. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would frequently recite the Qur’an to his companions and would also review it with the Angel Gabriel. This practice of reviewing and cross-checking the revelations with the Angel Gabriel helped to confirm the accuracy and consistency of the text. It was a safeguard against any potential errors or alterations.

Recitation and Teaching

The continuous recitation and teaching of the Qur’an played a significant role in its protection. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) placed great emphasis on reciting the Qur’an regularly and teaching it to his followers. This practice ensured that the revelations were kept alive in the hearts and minds of the Muslim community. The emphasis on regular recitation and teaching helped to maintain the purity and accuracy of the Qur’an through generations.

Guardianship of Scholars and Experts

In the centuries following the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) life, Islamic scholars and experts played a crucial role in safeguarding the Qur’an. They dedicated their lives to studying, teaching, and preserving the Qur’anic text. The meticulous work of scholars in the fields of Tafsir (exegesis), Tajweed (recitation rules), and Hadith (prophetic traditions) contributed to the continued protection and accurate transmission of the Qur’anic revelations.

In summary, the reasons mentioned above have played a crucial role in preserving the integrity of revelation. This is why, unlike other religions, we do not see the revelation of Islam being lost or distorted. As you have seen, Allah Himself has taken the responsibility of preserving the revelation, and I have presented various methods for this purpose. I hope this clears up any confusion you may have had on the topic.

The Importance of Revelation in Human Life

Now, if I delve into the main focus of today’s discussion, we must first understand that Allah Almighty loves His creation, humanity, dearly. His mercy towards us is immense, which is why He is called “Ar-Rahman” and “Ar-Rahim.” Moreover, He has created us as one of His finest creations. Allah has bestowed upon us knowledge, intellect, and reasoning, which guide us towards prosperity and well-being. However, we must remember that our human knowledge has its limitations. I briefly discussed these limitations in another post, which you can read if you are interested.

We, as humans, can learn a lot about the world around us using our knowledge, intellect, and reasoning. This allows us to advance and prosper in various fields. But we must not forget that we cannot perceive anything beyond our senses. For this reason, humans are unable to reach accurate conclusions about matters beyond our sensory perception using intellect or reasoning alone. If we look at history, this fact becomes quite clear.

It’s true that we can understand worldly matters through experience and research. We know very well how to farm for better crops, how to build houses that last longer, how to cook in ways that preserve food quality and taste, how to manufacture vehicles that are fast and safe, how to conduct business for maximum profit, how to treat illnesses to increase the chances of recovery, how to build roads that improve our quality of life, and so on. These things are learned through human experience, research, reasoning, and thought.

The problem arises when we try to understand religious beliefs, practices, and rituals using our own experience and sensory knowledge. We must keep in mind that we can never gain knowledge of religious beliefs, practices, and rituals through our own experiences or through the methods of other sciences. 

We cannot, by our own experiential knowledge, understand how to believe in Allah, how to have the correct faith in the Prophets and Messengers, how to have proper belief in the afterlife, how to call upon Allah, what actions will earn us more of His mercy and blessings, how to live in a way that increases our chances of salvation in the Hereafter, what paths lead to earning Allah’s friendship quickly, what deeds will bring us greater rewards, what actions lead to the forgiveness of sins, and what deeds harm our Hereafter. Most religious and belief-related matters cannot be fully understood or resolved through experience or research.

At this point, you might suggest that we should try to solve such issues based on the majority opinion. However, even if all of humanity were to come together, we would not be able to provide definitive solutions to these matters. Moreover, following the majority often leads us away from the path of Allah.

Regarding this, Allah Almighty says: 

• وَاِنْ تُطِعْ اَكْثَرَ مَنْ فِي الْاَرْضِ يُضِلُّوْكَ عَنْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ ؕ اِنْ يَّتَّبِعُوْنَ اِلَّا الظَّنَّ وَاِنْ هُمْ اِلَّا يَخْرُصُوْنَ  If you obey the majority of those on earth, they will make you lose the way of Allah. They follow nothing but whims, and they do nothing but make conjectures.[²]

• وَمَا يَتَّبِعُ اَكْثَرُهُمْ اِلَّا ظَنًّا ؕ اِنَّ الظَّنَّ لَا يُغْنِيْ مِنَ الْحَقِّ شَيْئًا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلِيْمٌۢ بِمَا يَفْعَلُوْنَ  Most of them follow nothing but conjectures. Surely, conjectures are of no avail in the matter of truth at all. Certainly, Allah is fully aware of what they do.[³]

There are many other verses in the Quran on this topic that you can explore through your own research.

In the discussion above, we have seen that religious beliefs and practices cannot be fully understood through personal research or experiential knowledge, nor can the issues related to them be resolved definitively using such means. I hope this point has been clear so far.

And this naturally brings us to the importance of revelation in human life. We know that Allah Almighty has created human beings as the best of creation, endowed with intellect and wisdom. Yet, as we have discussed above, there are many matters that we cannot resolve using this knowledge alone. For this reason, Allah has sent numerous Prophets and Messengers throughout history to guide us. Allah selected certain great individuals from different nations and communities to whom He sent His revelation. Through revelation, He has taught us about matters that we cannot reach a final understanding of using our intellect, reasoning, research, or experience alone. This is a great blessing from Allah to us. Additionally, He has informed us through revelation about what is good and bad, the importance of different matters, and how to practice them, even in things we can understand as good or bad through our intellect.

We must remember that without preserving and following the knowledge gained through revelation, it is impossible to preserve human civilization and humanity itself. No matter how much we praise human knowledge, we cannot achieve the ultimate goal of humanity without the knowledge provided by revelation.

To eliminate conflict, selfishness, and hatred, and to foster true love, service, and human values, we must rely on the knowledge provided by revelation—there is no alternative. Any discussion on belief, honesty, sin, virtue, the Creator, and the afterlife, that falls outside the scope of revelation only increases dispute, conflict, and division, because the ultimate truth in these matters can never be known through human effort without revelation. If we look at the history of civilization, we see that the distortion or loss of knowledge provided by revelation has led various nations into confusion. Below, I have briefly outlined some of the reasons for the distortion or loss of revelation.

Causes of the Distortion or Loss of Revelation

From the descriptions in the Quran, Hadith, and the history of various religions, we can see that there are two primary causes for the loss of knowledge gained through revelation:

1. Neglect, failure to memorize, or improper preservation, leading to the loss or destruction of revealed knowledge or scriptures.
2. Mixing human words with revelation or presenting human knowledge as part of revelation.

In the first scenario, the knowledge from revelation is completely lost. In the second scenario, some knowledge is preserved under the name of revelation, but it is mixed with human thoughts and ideas. In this case, there is no way to distinguish between what is revelation and what is human, making the so-called preserved scriptures or knowledge worthless. Most of the previous nations distorted the knowledge of revelation using the second method. The Jews, Christians, and followers of many other religions have preserved some scriptures under the name of religion, but these contain countless human words, descriptions, and opinions. There is no way to separate revelation from human words, and therefore, no way to extract the pure teachings of revelation from these corrupted sources.

The above two reasons require more detailed explanation, but due to the length of this post and my limited knowledge, I have not discussed them in detail.

With that, I am concluding this post for today. However, before I go, I want to mention one thing. Some of you might have found today’s post a bit repetitive or even boring because I have reiterated the same points several times. For those who felt this way, I apologize. The repetition was intentional, to ensure that the message stays with you and prevents any confusion on this topic in the future. I hope you take this positively. I conclude this post with a prayer for the well-being of both you and myself. Jazakallah Khair.