Types of Wahi [Divine Revelation]

What is Wahi ‘وَحِی’ (Divine revelation)

According to the dictionary, Wahi means to give news secretly, give a signal, convey a message, etc., whereas in Shar’i terminology Wahi is called the Kalam (the Divine Word) that was revealed to blessed Ambiya عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَام from Allah Almighty.

Types of Wahi

There are three types of Wahi for blessed Ambiya عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَام:

Listening to Kalam of Allah Almighty directly without any angel in between such as, when Sayyiduna Musa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام did on Koh-e-Toor, whereas our Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم listened [to the Kalam of Allah Almighty] on the night of Mi’raaj.

Wahi through an angel.

Revealing something through Divinely-made inspiration in the heart of Ambiya عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَام.

Seven forms of Wahi

These three types of Wahi are found in seven forms:

1.       In dream such as Sayyiduna Ibraheem عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام saw a dream in which he was commanded to sacrifice Sayyiduna Isma’eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام.

2.       Revealing something through Divinely-made inspiration in the heart.

3.       When Wahi descends in the form of a bell sound; this type of Wahi was the hardest one on the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم because in this type, Wahi used to be sent as it was being sent to angels.

4.       When an angel presents the Kalam of Allah Almighty by taking the shape of any famous or unfamous man such as Sayyiduna Jibra`eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام came in the shape of an A’rabi (villager) and would also come in the shape of Sayyiduna Dihyah Kalbi رَضِىَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُ.^[1]

5.       When Sayyiduna Jibra`eel Ameen عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام comes in his own shape; he has 600 arms from which rubies and pearls fall off.^[2]

6.       When Sayyiduna Israfeel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام comes with a revelation as Imam Sha’abi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه said: In the beginning, Sayyiduna Israfeel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام would bring Wahi for three years, then this service was given to Sayyiduna Jibra`eel Ameen عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام and then the whole Quran was revealed through him.

7.       When blessed Ambiya عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَام would listen to the Kalam of Allah Almighty behind a purdah or without any purdah; this act of listening could be in wakefulness such as on the night of Mi’raaj the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم did and Sayyiduna Musa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام did on Koh-e-Toor or in dream such as the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم listened. (‘Umda-tul-Qaari, vol. 1, pp. 74; Nuzha-tul-Qaari, vol. 1, pp. 234)

Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Na’eemi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has said:

Hay jis ki saari guftugu Wahi-e-Khuda, yehi to hayn

Haq jis kay chehray say ‘iyaan woh Haq-numa, yehi to hayn