The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 332
Seal of the Prophets - Volume I 332 revelation (due to being the direct revelation of God’s words) is hardest upon me. Then, after I have firmly preserved His words, this sound leaves me. At times, an Angel comes to me in the form of a man and speaks to me. As such, I preserve his words as well. ” 1 The case of ‘from behind a veil’ has not been mentioned in this Ḥadīth , the reason being that this case, which is generally based on visions, etc. , is a relatively normal case. People are often aware of the reality of its various levels, in comparison to the other two cases, the sphere of which is generally confined to messengers and exclusive people. From the above mentioned references, it is found that there are three main types of divine revelation. However, these three types are then further divided into subordinate categories, a general illustration of which can be comprehended in the following cases: 1. Communication through revelation, in other words, direct communication through words, which can have two cases: a. ) For the words of God to reach human ears, which can occur in many different ways. b. ) Through the Divine power of God, for His words to be instituted upon the tongue of an individual. These two cases are possible both in a state of wakefulness and sleep. 2. Communication by means of a messenger, in other words, for an Angel, etc. , to manifest itself before an individual and speak as per the will of God. This can also occur in many forms, and is possible in both a state of wakefulness and sleep. 3. Communication behind a veil, in other words, Allāh does not communicate directly, nor is the direct means of an Angel utilized. Rather, from behind a veil, Allāh the Exalted expresses His will in some form or another. There can be many forms of this case. For example: a. ) كشف or ‘a vision’, in other words, in a state of complete wakefulness or whilst half asleep, for an illustration to be shown by the divine power of God, whether that illustration be an actual depiction or symbolic. This case occurs in a state of wakefulness and is possible both in a state where 1 Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, Kitābu Bad’il-Waḥī, Bābu Kayfa kāna Bada’ul-Waḥyi ilā Rasūlillāhi sa , Ḥadīth No. 2