HOW THE REVELATIONS WERE SENT

As the Qur’an relates, Allah the Almighty speaks to humans in three different ways. He conveys His words into the hearts of people, speaks from behind a veil or speaks through an angel. This is conveyed in the Qur’an in these words:

It is not for any mortal that Allah should speak to him unless it be by   Revelation or from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger (angel) to re- veal, by His leave, whatever He wills. (ash-Shuara 53:51)

Generally this is how revelations are sent. However, when we study the forms in which the revelations were sent to Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, we see that this was a little more detailed

• The revelations were sent in forms of good dreams. The dreams of the noble Prophet were as clear as light.
• When he was awake, Jibril (the Archangel Gabriel) conveyed the revelations into the heart of the Prophet.
• The Divine revelations were conveyed by an angel. The Angel of Revelation, Jibril, appeared as both a human and in his own form.The Angel of revelation conveyed the Holy Scripts in the sound of a ringing bell. This was the most difficult form of receiving the  revelations for the Prophet.
• Allah the Almighty addressed the Prophet directly. This occurred on the night of ascendance.
• Jibril came with the holy revelations while the Prophet was sleeping. The Angel would convey the Divine commands into the Prophet’s heart when he was asleep.

 

Akgul, Muhittin. Tafsir: An Introduction to Qur’anic Exegesis. Tughra Books Press, Inc. 2013