❖ The Significance of Non-Quranic Revelation in Islam ❖
✿ Revelation Beyond the Qur'an
It is an established fact in Islamic tradition that the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ received revelation besides the Qur’an, referred to as "Wahy Ghayr Matluww"—non-recited revelation. Unlike the Qur'an, this form of revelation was not intended for recitation in prayer but was conveyed to the Ummah through the Prophet’s words, actions, and teachings. Its primary purpose was to explain, expand, and detail the principles found in the Qur'an.
❖ Relationship Between the Qur’an and Non-Quranic Revelation
The Qur’an itself indicates multiple times that revelation outside the Qur'an was received by the Prophet ﷺ. These instances serve as evidence that divine communication was not limited to the Qur’anic text, but also included instructional and explanatory guidance that formed an integral part of Islamic teachings.
❖ Evidences of Non-Quranic Revelation
✔ Incident of Ḥafṣah and ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنهما)
Allah revealed a private matter between the Prophet ﷺ and one of his wives:
"وَإِذْ أَسَرَّ النَّبِيُّ إِلَى بَعْضِ أَزْوَاجِهِ حَدِيثًا…"
(Sūrat al-Taḥrīm: 3)
This knowledge was divinely inspired, yet not part of the Qur'an’s legal content. It illustrates a form of revelation beyond recitation.
✔ Cutting the Trees of Banū Naḍīr
When the Prophet ﷺ ordered the cutting of palm trees during the siege of Banū Naḍīr, Allah confirmed:
"مَا قَطَعْتُمْ مِنْ لِينَةٍ... فَبِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ"
(Sūrat al-Ḥashr: 5)
This was a divine command delivered through non-Qur’anic revelation.
✔ Order of Qur'anic Verses
The sequence of Qur’anic verses is not based on chronological order, but was arranged according to divine instruction:
"إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَهُ"
(Sūrat al-Qiyāmah: 17)
This guidance, given to the Prophet ﷺ, was not part of the recited text but formed part of Wahy Ghayr Matluww.
✔ Revelation of Book and Wisdom
Allah says:
"وَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ"
(Sūrat al-Nisāʾ: 113)
Here, "Kitāb" refers to the Qur'an, while "Ḥikmah" (wisdom) refers to the Sunnah and Hadith, both of which were revealed but are non-recited.
✔ Hunting Etiquette
The Qur’an states:
"وَعَلَّمَكُمْ مَا لَمْ تَكُونُوا تَعْلَمُونَ"
(Sūrat al-Māʾidah: 4)
This learning, particularly regarding hunting laws, was given to the Prophet ﷺ before the corresponding verses of the Qur’an, indicating revelation outside the Qur'anic text.
✔ Promise Regarding the Battle of Badr
Allah says:
"وَإِذْ يَعِدُكُمُ اللَّهُ إِحْدَى الطَّائِفَتَيْنِ..."
(Sūrat al-Anfāl: 7)
This divine promise was communicated through non-Qur’anic revelation prior to the battle, later mentioned in the Qur’an.
❖ Multiple Forms of Revelation
Allah describes various modes of communication:
"وَمَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَنْ يُكَلِّمَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا وَحْيًا..."
(Sūrat al-Shūrā: 51)
This proves that divine guidance comes in different forms, not exclusively through the Qur’an.
❖ Practical Examples of Non-Quranic Revelation
✔ Regulations Regarding Fasting
Concerning the permission for intimacy during Ramadan nights, Allah says:
"عَلِمَ اللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنْتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنْفُسَكُمْ..."
(Sūrat al-Baqarah: 187)
This indicates that prior guidance on the matter came via non-Qur’anic revelation.
✔ Manner of Performing Ṣalāh
While the Qur’an commands:
"وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ"
(Sūrat al-Baqarah: 239)
The method and structure of Ṣalāh were explained through:
"صَلُّوا كَمَا رَأَيْتُمُونِي أُصَلِّي"
This procedure was not detailed in the Qur’an, but taught by the Prophet ﷺ through non-Qur’anic revelation.
✔ Zakat Details
The Qur’an mentions:
"وَفِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ حَقٌّ مَعْلُومٌ"
(Sūrat al-Maʿārij: 24–25)
But the specifics—rates, types, and thresholds—were conveyed through Hadith, as part of Wahy Ghayr Matluww.
❖ Ḥadīth and Its Status as Revelation
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"إذا أمرتكم بشيء من أمر دينكم فخذوا به"
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
“When I command you in matters of religion, then accept it.”
This affirms that Prophetic Hadiths are a form of divine guidance, complementary to the Qur’an.
❖ Jibrīl's Role Beyond the Qur’an
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"جبرئیل جاء ليعلمكم دينكم"
(Musnad Imām Aʿẓam)
“Jibrīl came to teach you your religion.”
He brought both Qur'anic and non-Qur'anic revelation, proving that all religious knowledge conveyed to the Prophet ﷺ was divinely sourced.
✿ Conclusion
Wahy Ghayr Matluww (non-Qur’anic revelation) is an essential part of Islam. Denying it weakens the foundation of the religion. Both the Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah originate from the same divine source—Allah ﷻ. Together, they constitute a complete and coherent framework for Islamic belief and practice, where Hadith serves as the explanatory counterpart to the Qur’an.
