The ‘Waḥy’ Revelation of Prophet Muḥammad

Introduction

The present paper assesses the most important prospect of Islam, stressing on the concept of Waḥy, known as revelation. The revelation of Prophet Muḥammad is a very broad subject that covers many aspects of the life of the prophet, Sharia and the themes of Qur’ān. Therefore, the essay attempts to concentrate on few aspects of revelation. The present paper discusses the meaning and the concept of the Waḥy according to the Arabic language and Qur’ānic interpretation. The meaning may change according to the sources and context. The discussion of Wahy and the early concepts explains its actual meaning in Islam and how Muslim scholars use it in Quranic interpretations.

According to Islamic sources, Prophet Muḥammad received Wahy for the first time while he was asleep in the cave while his prophecy began in Mecca. The prophecy of Prophet Muḥammad comprised twenty-three years split into two eras, 13 years in Mecca then he migrated to Medina and lived for ten years.

The paper explores the reasons behind changing the revelation of the Prophet. It further explains the differences in the verses revealed in Mecca as they were short and in Medina that included long verses. The differences help in understanding the factors that contributed to these changes as the verses transformed from short to long versions.

The paper further uncovers different types of Wahy revealed to prophet Muhammad and analysis of the reactions on receiving it. The common types of Wahy identified in the paper include quick and delayed Wahy. The paper illustrates the conditions contributing to quick Wahy that involved immediate responses to events. The delayed Wahy involved a slow response and was time-consuming.

The paper also searches the concept of Wahy and its relevance to prophecy. It attempts to find the answer to the question; of whether any family member of Muhammad received Wahy or not. Does it also search which family members received Wahy. Does the paper also finds the meaning of Waḥy and the exact time when it was revealed to the prophet.

The essay focuses on the scholars’ debates and assessment of different viewpoints. The analysis helps in determining which verses Muhammad revealed through Wahy. The paper further explores the sender of the Wahy as the people doubted if Muhammad received it from God or Satan. Different Quranic verses permit the reader to identify the reality of the sender.

The sources used in the paper include the Quran, Ḥadīths, a biography of the Prophet, and asbāb al-nuzūl. In addition to that, the paper discusses differences in sources to highlight that Waḥy was delayed to the prophet while on some occasions the Waḥy revealed involved quick response.

Keywords: Waḥy, Qur’ān, Hadiths, asbāb al-nuzūl.

The literal and technical meaning of Waḥy

There are different interpretations of the concept of Wahy. Arabic dictionary al-Munjid^[1], relates the word Wahy with divine revelation. It has many meanings, and it changes according to its use in different contexts. It further identifies Wahy as the divine indication and gentle speech. The Arabic language explains the word as conveying the message, precisely God’s divine message to the specific person chosen by Allah.

According to Lisan al-Arab^[2], the word Waḥy means sign, indication, writing, message, inspiring and speaking in a secret. If the word is used in the context of the decision, it depicts decision and settlement. Abū Isḥaq said, originally the word means conveying of knowledge regarding Shariah to Prophet. Imam Qastalani mentions, Wahy is the information received by Prophet from Allah through dreams or angels in the form of the book.

According to Mirzā Ghulām Aḥmad who distinguished ‘Waḥy’ Revelation to the ideas that arise in the human mind as a result of thinking. He said revelation is the powerful converse of God with his chosen servant whom he appoints for conveying knowledge to the world^[3]. In other words, Waḥy is only a divine message from God to His messenger.

Waḥy in the Quran

The word Waḥy appears in the Qur’ān many times, while its meaning changes according to the context. For instance, verse 16:68, represents Wahy as a message sends by when Allāh is instructing to bee to build a house in the mountains. In verse 19:11, when Zakariyya Waḥy to them, means Zakariyya indicated to them. While the word Waḥy in verse 5:111, means that Jesus was inspiring his Disciples.

Therefore, Waḥy has several meaning in Qur’ān, and the meaning is not limited to revelation. The most common interpretation learned by Muslins regarding Wahy is; communication between Allah and prophet. The Quran, in verse 28:7, emphasis on the Waḥy sent to mother of Moses to suckle Moses, and then if you have fear about him, throw him into the river. Al-Ṭabarī, one of the great exegete, has referred to Qatāda for assessing the meaning of the Waḥy. Qatāda states, Waḥy was a revelation from Allāh to her, the revelation threw into her heart, but it was not the revelation of the prophecy.^[4]

From Qatada’s viewpoint, we understand that Waḥy holds different meanings for the proper and normal people. The later sections of the paper discuss the differences in the two concepts.

Modes of Waḥy, Revelations

The Islamic sources confirm various kinds of the Waḥy were revealed to Prophet Muḥammad. Rafiq Aḥmad in his book of Translation and commentary Ra’fatul Bari: Sharaḥ Sahih al-Bukhari, refers to all kinds of Waḥy^[5]:

First: Waḥy al-Matlu; the words of Allāh which are recited to the Prophet Muḥammad are exists in the Qur’ān.

Second: Waḥy Gaīr al-Matlu; The words which are recited to the Prophet Muḥammad but does not exist in Qur’ān.

Rafiq Aḥmad added, through three different ways Holy prophet received revelation:^[6]

First: Direct speech between Allāh and Prophet without any intermediary.

Second: Indirect speech between Allāh and Prophet through angels. The angel transformed to the human version when carried God’s message to proper or Prophet heard the voice of an angel.

Third: Waḥy was revealed through prophet’s heart or dream. Qur’ān at many places identifies transmission of Allah’s message through the dream. As for Qur’ān states, when Joseph saw a dream, and that dream was the revelation to him.

According to the Ḥadīth Muṭṭa Malik^[7], al-Bukhārī^[8]And Jami al-Tirmidhi^[9]; when Prophet Muḥammad was asked how he received the revelation he replied: “it was revealed in the form of the ringing bell while the state passed off only when I grasped the inspiration. Angel appeared in human form, and I grasped the message shared by him. Āʾisha added: I witnessed how sweat dropped fro Prophet’s forehead on a cold day after receiving revelation.

The same Ḥadīth was narrated differently by al-Bukhārī^[10], Sahih al-Muslim^[11]And an-Nasa’i^[12]However, the part of Āʾisha is missing in those sources. The interpretation of different sources depicts that the three common methods used for revelation included the ringing of bell, voice or the angel in the form of human visiting the prophet.

The process of receiving Wahy was not a simple process as apparent in the Ḥadīth of ʿĀʾisha explaining how sweat poured from the forehead of proper after his communication with God. Ibn Kathīr^[13]Also explain the process in his exegesis ‘Tafsir’ as he highlights conditions of Prophet after the revelation of verse 4:95. He illustrates that the body of Prophet Muhammad became heavy after the revelation of Holy war ‘Jihad’. The concept of Wahy is also visible in the revelation of present verse, as it explained to Prophet about non-believers who deny participating in Jihad are not like believers. After conveying the message of Allah to the people, Umm Maktūm, a blind man agreed to participate in Jihad. After the speech of this man, Allāh sent revelation and modified the verse. Zayd b. Thābit explains that Prophet Muḥammad put his thigh on mine, and it became so heavy that I feared the power would break my thigh. Ḥadīths identified and the exegesis of verse 4:95, makes it clear that with the revelation that sweat and heaviness of body were two prominent signs of revelation. The analysis of different conditions depicts that God used three ways of sending Wahy to the Prophet. The method of direct inspiration did not involve a messenger. Verse (42:51) confirms the direct communication between Allah and Prophet. Their method did not use angel as a medium to transmit the message. Direct inspiration occurred in full consciousness and sleep. The voice that Prophet heard in different forms also reflects direct communication between Allah and the Prophet. The third method of sending Wahy was through angels who played the role of messengers. Āʾisha narrates that Holy Prophet received Wahy in the form of true dreams^[14].

Is Prophet the first one in his family receiving Waḥy?

The in-depth study of the concept of the Waḥy reveals that the prophet was not the first one in his family who received the Waḥy. Although the biography of the Prophet and the Quranic source has never mentioned that the Prophet was born in a prophecy family, whereas by reading the biography deeper, it shows, indeed the Prophet was born in a family of the prophecy. According to Sira Ibn Hīsham^[15]And Ibn Kathir^[16] ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib the grandfather of Prophet Muḥammad heard a voice in sleep that ordered him to dig a Zamzam. It is obvious, the spring of Zamzam is one of the sacred water by the Muslims, still running in the Holy place Mecca. The voice that Abd al-Muttalib heard in dream exhibits the same concept of Wahy that Holy Prophet received later in life. The divine voice conveyed the message to Abd al-Muṭṭalib regarding digging of the well. Islamic analysts recognise the voice and digging of Zamzam as Wahy.

The second sign of Wahy is visible in the vows that he takes to sacrifice one of his sons to God. Abd al-Muttalib vowed that if he had ten sons, he would sacrifice one. When his sons grew, he told them about his vow and to keep God’s faith. His act was like Abraham (Ibrāhīm al-Khalīl) when he tried to sacrifice one of his sons. He went to Kaʿba with his sons and wrote their names on ten arrows to cast lots. These arrows were put in vast then shacked, if any arrow has come out then this son will be sacrificed. From the first shack the arrow of Abdullāh, father of Prophet come out. But the people of Mecca asked ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib to slay ten camels instead of his son. This process was repeated nine times, for each time the arrow of Abdullāh came out, and then people again asked his father to slay ten camels. As a result of the cast lots, 100 camels were sacrificed instead of Abdullāh.^[17]

The thought to scarify one of his sons was the result of Wahy. Pre-Islamic the history does not provide evidence of customs that slays sons. This only occurred when Abraham was asked to slay his son for pleasing God. Was this the Waḥy which exactly came to Abraham? Or was it an indication that to save Abdullāh for preserving the prophecy for his son, Muḥammad?

The Islamic history justifies the connection of sacrifice with Wahy revelation. After making a sacrifice of hundred camels, Abd al-Muṭṭalib took his son Abdullāh to the house of Waḥb b. Faḥr to marry his daughter Amīna to his son. On the way, a woman called Umm Qatt, sister of Warraq’s son Nawfal, asked him to marry her but he refused. Abdullāh saw the same woman, and told him to propose again, she said the light on your forehead has gone, and I am no more willing to marry you. The sign of light was delivered to Amina delivered to on birth of the prophet. The sign of light depicts the future prophecy.^[18] The analysis of the events associated with the family members of Prophet depicts Waḥy existed at the time before Prophet’s birth. Abdullāh had a revelation too as his mission was preserving the light and delivering to Amīna.

When Amīna, was carrying Prophet in her womb she heard a voice, “You are pregnant with the lord of this people and when he is born to say: I put him in the care of the One from the evil of every envier; then call him Muḥammad”^[19]. The source does not identify if she was sleeping or awake. According to the Ibn Saad, she was asleep when she heard the voice.^[20] The event reveals that the mother of Prophet Muḥammad had received Waḥy too.

According to Ibn Kathir, when Prophet Muhammad was born his grandfather took him to the Kaʿba to pray to Allah. Then he recited the poem; “Praise is to God who gave me this fine, wonderful boy who already in the cradle leads all boys I entrust his safety to the pillared House (Kaʿba)”^[21]. The poem raises certain questions; did ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib believed in One God? How did he know that Prophet Muḥammad will lead people? How did he know the name of Qur’ān? How did he predict that the name of Aḥmad will be written in Qur’ān? This historical evidence shows that the family of Prophet had received the revelation from the Allāh and all the revelations were in the form of voice or dreams.

Waḥy during the Childhood of Prophet

The Waḥy has indicated to Prophet Muḥammad since his childhood. According to the Saḥiḥ al-Muslim and Anas b. Mālik who states that Gabriel visited Prophet during his childhood. His chest was opened by Gabriel who took blood-clot away which was part of Satan. And then Prophet was laid in a golden basin, and he was washed with the water of Zamzam. Also, Anas added to that he saw the marks of needle on the breast of the prophet Muḥammad.^[22]

There is another Ḥadīth which is similar to the previous one; it is quoted in many sources. It mentions that Abū Dharr al-Ghifārī inquired from Muhammad; and said to Prophet when did you realise that you became a prophet of Allāh. Prophet replied to him that two angels came to him while he was in Mecca. One of the angels was on the Earth while other one stood between the Earth and the Sky. One of the angle asked another one to weigh me against one man; I was heavier than him. Several time I was weighed against one ten and then against hundred, I was heavier than them. Then the angel said if I weigh him against the entire men in the world then he will be heavier than them. The prophet said I saw their scale was so light against mine.^[23] Both Ḥadīths shows that the angels, when carried God’s message, took the shape of humans and visited Prophet in his childhood.

Waḥy before the Prophecy

Before the prophecy, the,e Waḥy was revealed to other people, including information about the arrival of the prophet phet. History claims that Umar b. al-Khaṭṭāb heard the voice from inside the belly of calf saying; there is no Gods but Allāh. He said that before Islam we used to sacrifice a calf and expected to get some of it. He further mentions that when they were standing to receive their share they heard a voice.^[24] The events show that the divine voice used to guide people before Islam as it declared at multiple times there is no gods but Allāh. Muhammad conveyed the same message to the people after receiving Wahy.

Islamic scholar confirms the prevalence of revelation before prophecy apparent in the salute of trees and stones. The statement of Prophet Muhammad also supports the claim that revelation existed before Islam as he mentions, I still recognise the stone in Mecca which always saluted me. Ibn Hisham in the same source states that when Muhammad walked, a voice greeted him, but when he turned around, there was no one, only a stone and a tree.^[25] Description of these events ensures the role of Wahy before prophecy.

Another sign of Waḥy is apparent in the fact that two angels always accompanied Prophet Muhammad. According to Maysara who was a slave of Khadīja, during his trade with Muhammad from Caravan to the Levine ant, he, saw two angels shading him. Thus, Kharīja told her cousin, Waraqa what she heard from her slave. Waraqa was Christian and studied the scriptures of scholars. Waraqa said if the story is true, then Muḥammad is a prophet.^[26]

According to Ibn Kathir in his book al-Bidāya we-l-nihāya fī l-taʾrīkh, said, if angels accompany Muhammad than he is a prophet. Gabriel and Michael are two angels that convey the message of Allah and plough his heart^[27]. The Ḥadīths and stories are shows the signs of the prophecy were apparent to Prophet Muḥammad prior to prophecy. However `Gabriel did not disclose the information of prophecy to Muhammad until Allah ordered him.

First Revelation to Prophet

There is a debate among scholars regarding verses revealed to Muhammad. According to ʿĀʾisha the first revelation to the prophet that was in the form of true dreams. She also mentions that his dream was as true like bright daylight.^[28] According to Ibn Hisham^[29] and al-Tabari^[30], the men of Mecca have the custom to visit Cave Ḥirā one month in a year for taḥannuth, means self-justification. When they returned to Mecca, they did ṭawāf, that indicates walk around Kaʿba. Prophet said it was the month of Ramaḍan while Gabriel visited me, I was sleeping in the cave when he appeared and asked me to recite. Muhammad told the angel that he was illiterate and unable to recite. Gabriel pressed me him so tight that Muhammad thought he was about to die but at the same moment, he was asked to recite. When Muhammad asked what to recite, Gabriel replied; Recite in the name of your Lord who creates! He creates man form a clot of blood. Recite: and your Lord is the most Bountiful. He who reaches by the pen teaches man what he knows not (verses 96:1-5). At this time Muhammad was able to recite, and when he woke up, the words were imprinted in his heart.

Prophet Muhammad received revelation his dream and when he woke up, went back to the Mecca. The actual event varies according to different narrators. Al-Bukhārī completing this story states that prophet went back to Mecca and asked his wife, Khadīja, to cover him. And told her that I fear that something will happen. The statement of Muhammad reveals his confusion as he was unable to understand the Wahy. Khadīja then went to see her cousin, Waraqa bin Naufal. Khadīja told him what happens in the cave. Waraqa told Kharīja that Muḥammad had met the angel, Gabriel who was sent to Moses. And said if I will be alive I will support him, but after a few days, he died.^[31]

The description of the event varies in the narration of al-Ṭabarī who illustrates that after he woke up, he tried to kill himself and fell into the mountain. Al-Ṭabarī tries to convey that the Prophet hated poets and madmen. Also, he was afraid that Quraysh alleged him as a poet or a madman, for that reason he tried to save himself. Then Gabriel came and told Muhammad, I am Gabriel, and you are the messenger of Allāh. Prophet said, when I faced up to the heaven I saw Gabriel in the shape of the man with his feet set on the horizon. Several times prophet tried to turn himself, but Gabriel. Then Prophet went back to see Kharīja tell her what happened to him. When Kharīja inquired prophet where he had been, he said to her, either I am a poet or the madman. Then Kharīja said, your are the trustworthy and honest man, and God will never do anything wrong to you. Then al-Ṭabarī continues with the story which Ḥadīth al-Bukhārī, also explains and adds information that the prophet himself saw Waraqa and told him again what happened to him. Waraqa informed him that he saw Namus who is Gabriel that was sent to Moses.^[32]

Another version of Al-Ṭabarī is narrated in different sources claiming that the first revelation that came to the prophet was Surah al-Mudaththir. The story narrated by ʿAbdallāh al-Anṣari states, Prophet said that he was walking when he heard a voice from heavens, and as he looked up, he saw an angel approaching in the cave of Hira who was sitting on a throne between heaven and earth. He further narrates that Muhammad went to Kharīja in the state of fear and asked her to wrap me in cloak when God revealed (verses 74:1-7). The verse advised Muhammad to remain calm and patient.^[33] This story is stated in Saḥiḥ al-Bukhārī too, with slight changes.^[34]

The overall analysis of the early revelations received by Prophet reveals that there are two main versions explaining how verses were revealed to the prophet. Ibn Kathīr in his book Story of The Prophets mentions the revelations of Sūrah Al-ʿAlaq and al-Muddathtthīr were gave him the titles of Baheer (the giver of good tidings) and Nazeer (the warner)^[35]. And regarding the verse 74:1-7 which was revealed to Prophet, allows the reader to interpret how they are related to the revelation. To bring all together, if the verses 94: 1-5 and verse 74: 1-7 are sent to the prophet during the first revelation and in a very short time, then why they were not classified in one chapter?

The Quranic interpretation of Wahy depicts that it is God’s communication with his elected person. Islamic commentators and analysts associate the term with Muhammad as he remained in constant interaction with Allah before his prophecy. The role of revelations is also visible in the directions forwarded by Allah to the messenger. Through divine revelation, God transmitted the message of obligatory prayers^[36].

In addition to that, the books of al-Suyūṭī^[37]and al-Wāḥdī^[38], emphasise on verse 74:11 corresponding to the event that Abū Jaḥl alleged that Muḥammad is either poet or madman. The story depicts, when Walid Ibn al-Mughirah heard a few verses of Qur’ān his heart softened to Islam. Abū Jaḥl identified it as a magi and that old sources revealed verses to the prophet.

Many other verses are also revealed to Prophet in verses 74: 1-7, and 74: 11. There was a time between the first revelation and inviting people to Islam. The purpose of these revelations was to instruct Muhammad to invite people to Islam. According to Ibn Hishām,^[39]There were three years between revelation and inviting the people of Mecca to embrace Islam. It leads to other questions; were other verses revealed between the time of the revelation of verses 1-7 and 8-56?

Testing the Waḥy: Is it from God or Satan

When the people learned about the Wahy, they doubted if the message was transmitted by God or Satan. The wife of Prophet, Khadīja tried to affirm that what Prophet saw was from Allāh not from the Satan. She explained that Gabriel is the angel of God who carries Alllah’s message to Muhammad. When Gabriel came to Prophet, he told Khadīja, he is coming. Then she said to prophet come and sit on my left thigh when Prophet followed; she said do you see him. Prophet said yes, then she said come, sit on my right thigh. He sat on her right thigh. Khadīja asked, Do you see him, now? Prophet said, yes. Then she revealed her veil while the prophet was on her lap, and said do you see him, Prophet said No. Then Kharīja said that is an angel, not a devil.^[40] The description of Kharīja confirms that the angels bringing Wahy to Muhammad were angels because they disappeared when she removed her veil. Al-Ṭabarī stated in a bit different manner, instead Khdīja revealing her veil, she asked Prophet to come in between her body and her shift. Then Gabriel was gone.^[41]

Al-Ṭabarī and Ibn Hishām do not provide any information regarding Kharīja’s encounter with Muhammad to test the angels. Because this test is three stages and each stage has only two possibilities: if the Prophet was on the left thigh of Kharīja and Gabriel disappeared then what Gabriel would be considered? Or, if Gabriel had disappeared while the prophet was on the right thigh of Kharīja? What is the point of sitting on the right or left of his wife’s thigh, why not revealing the veil would be the only test of whether the one is Gabriel or not?

The stories presented by historians are a bit confusing while there are certain verses in Qur’ān that affirmed that the Waḥy is coming from God. According to the ibn Kathīr^[42], people from Mecca said that those verses came from Satan, then Allāh revealed the verse 26: 221-2 says, “Shall I inform you, upon whom the Shayatin [Satan] descends? He descends on every lying, sinful person?”

There are also other verses that confirm that Satan was not approaching the prophet.

Verses 14:22, 15:42, 16:99, 17:65, 34:21, 37:30. Also the interpretation of verse 10:94 explains, God asked Muhammad if you doubted the revelations then you can consider other Holy books (Turret and the Gospel). These books made predictions about the Wahy and prophecy.

Al-Ṭabarī commented on this verse and quoted the name of Muḥammad. The presence of Muhammad in the book was an indication that Wahy came from God, not Satan. The mention of the Holy books removed doubt from Muhammad’s heart.^[43] According to the interpretation of Tafsīr al-Jalālayn,^[44]If people are in doubt regarding the sender of Wahy they can consult the Torah, which predicted the arrival of Muhammad and fulfillment of prophecy.

Therefore, there are plenty of verses in the Qur’ān that confirm the Waḥy was revealed to Muḥammad as the divine gift from Allāh. Quranic interpretation provides a valid justification for the sender of Wahy.

Wahy in Ḥadīth

Not only Quran ensures the concept of Wahy and its sender. Hadith also provides supporting evidence that proves the sender of Wahy is Allah. According to the interpretation of verse 53: 3-4, the Prophet states, I do not speak my desires, but it is what Allah orders me. This verse is indisputable by the many scholars that every single word which prophet said was from Allāh. In other words, the Ḥadīth is part of the revelation justifying that the Ḥadīth and Qur’ān are inseparable. Quran and Hadith are primary sources that provide the most logical explanation of Wahy and its reality.

According to Musnad Aḥmad^[45], Darmi and Abū Dawud^[46]; Abdullāh b. Masʿud explained that he wrote everything that Muhammad revealed from Allah. I tried to memorize it while Quraysh restrained me from doing that. They used to ask: do you write whatever the messenger tells you while he is a human? Their tones exhibited anger, so I had to stop writing. Muhammad pointed his finger and to his mouth and said write the truth and write for Allah who holds the soul of people. This Ḥadīth provides strong evidence that all speech of the Prophet remains part of the Waḥy.

Timings of Waḥy

According to the sources: the biography of the Prophet, Hadiths, and Asbāb al-nzūl discusses the cause of revelation. At times the revelation was revealed in a very short time. While at other times Muhammad received delayed Wahy. The concept of quick and delayed Wahy explains the need and role of urgency. Allah sent a quick Wahy when a blind man was unable to participate in the Jihad. Allāh sent the verse by adding he is not alleged to participate in Jihad.

Another event depicted when the Surah Muʾminūn was revealed to Prophet, his clerk Abdullāh b. Sariḥ wrote the verses about who was a foster brother of ʿUthmān b. ʿAffān. When he reached the end of the 14^th verse, his clerk said ‘Allah is the best creator’. Then the prophet paused for a few seconds, and the same phrase was revealed to him.^[47] These two events show Allah sent the message as quick response to the events.

Whereas, al-Suyūṭī^[48] and al-Wāḥdī^{[49] Identify} delayed revelations. They recognize Surah al-Ḍūḥā as a delayed revelation. It explains that a woman called Umm Jamīl the wife of Abū Laḥb said your friend had left you, then the verse was revealed. In another account that a woman told prophet your demon has left you. Also, it says that Khadīja said that your Lord had left you. There is another interesting story narrating, that a dog came to the house of prophet and died under the bed. For that particular reason revelation was stopped. Prophet said to his servant, Khawla, what has happened to the house, Gabriel is not coming. Then Khawla cleaned the house and found a died puppy and threw it behind the wall. Then Prophet said cover me and felt cold, and the verses revealed. The reason for the delayed revelation was the presence of the dead dog in Muhammad’s house. It reflects that the time of Wahy changed according to the circumstances.

Although the reasons presented by al-Ḍūḥā are different, all sources recognize that Wahy was quick or delayed depending on the conditions. Also, Suyūṭī has pointed out that the dead dog resulted in delayed Waḥy is weaker evidence.^[50] The logic emphasizes parallel justification as the prophet on many occasions received the Waḥy when he was not at home. The information also reflects that no place was restricted for receiving Wahy. Muhammad met Gabriel at his home and cave, depicting no restriction of place.

Clerk of Waḥy

Islamic history indicates that different people worked as clerks, preserving the information of Wahy. The identified clerks include al-Al-Ṭabarī,^[51] Ibn Athīr,^[52] ʿUthman ʿAffān, ʿAli b. Ṭalīb, Khālīd b. Saad, Abān b. Saʿīd and al-ʿAlāiʾ b. al-Ḥḍramī.

Abī Kaʿb was first appointed the clerk who wrote the Wahy while in his absence Zayd b.Thābīt performed the duty. Abdullāh b. Saʿd b. Abī Sarḥ also preserved the information of revelations but he rebelled against Islam and then reverted to Islam again on the day of the conquest of Mecca. Mūʿawiya b. Suffian and Ḥanṭala al-Asadī were also appointed clerks of Muhammad. However, al-Al-Ṭabarī and Ibn Athīr were the only clerks who evolved to write the script of the Qur’ān or other writing as the prophet had sent many letters to the kings and tribes.

Changes in Waḥy of Qur’ān

During the 23 years of the prophecy, the revelation of the Prophet changed in many aspects. The most visible change occurred when Prophet Muḥammad migrated to Medina. He stayed there for 13 years during the prophecy, and when the Muslims were persecuted under the injustice of polytheism, then they migrated to Medina.

The verses revealed in Mecca are very short and concise^[53]While the verses revealed in Median are less sophisticated regarding composition.^[54]

Limited information justifies the reasons for the transformation of verses from short to long. Qur’ān and Ḥadīth do do not explain the reasons for the conversion of verses to long form. Scholars interpret that the verses revealed in Mecca are advisory. These verses claim the existence of one God known as Allāh and explain the concepts of the afterlife, paradise, and hell. These verses have a significant role in opening war against the polytheist and people of Mecca who persecuted Muslims during their stay in the region. According to Ibn Kathīr, the first verse that waged war was 2:190, instructing Muslims to fight against enemies fight, and not transgress limits.^[55] The analysis of the verses and their revelation exhibits that Allah used them to send the message to Muhammad. The role of verses was not limited to any one aspect of human life. It covered the issues of religion, personal lives, and wars.

Conclusion

The present paper explores the meaning of Wahy in Islam and its role in Islamic history. It highlights the most prospective element of communication between Allah and the Prophet including Wahy. In light of the contemporary sources and understanding of the concept of Waḥy, it shows that prophet Muḥammad continually received Waḥy throughout his life. The Quranic interpretations do not limit the concept tradition of Wahy to the prophecy. Evidence suggests that Muhammad was constantly receiving revelations before prophecy. The concept of revelation was not limited to Muhammad as the interpretation of Islamic events shows many of his family members also remained part of Wahy. According to the literal concept of revelation based, Qur’ānic analysis depicts Muhammad’s grandfather ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib and mother receiving Waḥy. The discussion of malic commentators indicates that Abd al-Muttalib and Muhammad’s mother received Wahy in the form of voices. The voices addressed the divine message, instructing his grandfather to dig Zamzam and his mother to tide herself by carrying master of the world. Furthermore, the conception of Waḥy under light Ḥadīths is also considered an effective tool used by Allah for transmitting the message to Prophet Muḥammad.

The paper includes the narration from different Islamic commentators to highlight the significance and reality of Wahy. The analysis of different texts and viewpoints of famous Islamic commentators explains the role of Wahy and clarifies the concept of the sender. The identification of the sender remained serious concern for the people of society as they doubted if the sender was God or Satan. Different sources confirm that the sender of Wahy was Allah. The paper uncovers the role of Muhammad’s wife in explaining the sender of Wahy and his conditions. the analysis of different sources depicts that Allah was the sender of Wahy. The most common indicator of the sender involves the role of the angel Gabriel as when Muhammad’s wife removed the veil he disappeared.

The paper also identifies the physical conditions of Muhammad when he received Wahy. Islamic commentators quoted in the paper highlight that Khadija explains she observed sweating on Muhammad’s forehead. While the companions of Muhammad explained the heaviness of the body. The paper elaborates on the conditions of Muhammad on receiving Wahy for the first time. The events identified in the paper explain the disbelief and confusion apparent in the expressions of Muhammad when he received Wahy. The element of surprise is also visible in the reality of Wahy as when Gabriel asked Muhammad to recite he was illiterate. It was only through the pressing that he made him literate and allowed him to recite.

The paper also highlights different kinds of Wahy including quick and delayed Wahy. It also explains the role of circumstances that delayed the Wahy. The inclusion of the incident of death explains the logic behind delayed Wahy. The angel did not enter the home until Muhammad removed the dead dog.

The paper presents information that the Wahy was a direct interaction between Allah and Muhammad. Quranic verses and comments of Islamic scholars identify three main methods used for the revelation including voice, angel, and ringing bell. Muhammad revealed Wahy for the first time when he was in the cave of Hira. The essay illustrates a few sources that provide the different views of the scholars which verses had revealed first. According to some Ḥadīths, the first five verses of Sūrat al-ʿAlaq came earlier while others said that the first 8 verses were revealed to the prophet. However, according to Ibn Kathīr, both sets of verses were revealed to the prophet.

The paper discusses that Wahy remained one of the significant tools used by Allah to send messages to his Holy Prophet Muhammad. Through Wahy Allah instructed Muhammad to follow his orders and preach his message. Muhammad accepted that whatever he says is not his personal desire but Allah’s will.

The essay demonstrates that changing the Waḥy from Mecca to Medina corresponded to the changing of the condition of Muslims. The Prophet’s mission in Mecca was to declare the message and invite non-Muslims to accept Islam. The Wahy changed in Medina as Allah revealed the laws and ordinance of the Prophet. The paper exhibits limitations as it does not represent reasons for changing the style of Wahy. The paper suggests further research as this matter needs more study and in-depth analysis. To bring it all together, the essay highlights a few aspects of the broader subject in Islam known as Waḥy. The paper suggests future research for exploring the role of Wahy in the curve rent world and how it holds significance for the Islamic world.

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