Comprehensive Explanation of the Types of Revelation in the Qur'an and Sunnah
The objector raises a concern: If everything the Prophet ﷺ did was under the guidance of revelation, then why (God forbid) was Allah not content with the first form of revelation, necessitating the sending down of a second form? Furthermore, it is argued that the Qur'an makes no mention of this second type of revelation, and that since the revelation of the Qur'an was already indicated in the revelations to previous prophets, could it not have been possible for Allah to mention this second form of revelation in the Qur'an as well?
The objection stems from a presumption of two types of revelation, whereas a careful study of the Qur'an reveals that three distinct types of revelation are explicitly mentioned therein. Of these, only one type is compiled in the Qur'an.
۞ Qur'anic Verse:
“وَمَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن یكَلِّمَه اللَّهُ إِلَّا وَحْیا أَوْ مِن وَرَاء حِجَابٍ أَوْ یرْسِلَ رَسُولاً فَیوحِی بِإِذْنِهِ مَا یشَاء إِنَّهُ عَلِی حَكِیمٌ”
(Ash-Shūrā: 51)
Translation:
It is not for any human being that Allah should speak to him except by revelation, or from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger (angel) to reveal, by His permission, whatever He wills. Indeed, He is Most High, All-Wise.
① Direct Revelation (Wahy Ilhāmī or Ilqā’ī)
Allah conveys His guidance directly into the heart of the human being, through inspiration or spiritual instillation.
② Speech from Behind a Veil
Allah communicates directly with a person, but not face to face—rather, from behind a veil of divine power and majesty.
③ Revelation through an Angel (e.g., Jibrīl)
Allah sends His message through an angelic messenger who conveys the divine message as commanded. This is the form of revelation that is compiled in the Qur'an.
The Qur'an explicitly mentions that it was revealed through the angel Jibrīl (Gabriel):
۞ Qur'anic Verse:
“قُلْ مَن كَانَ عَدُوّاً لِّجِبْرِیلَ فَإِنَّهُ نَزَّلَهُ عَلَى قَلْبِكَ بِإِذْنِ اللّهِ مُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا بَینَ یدَیهِ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَى لِلْمُؤْمِنِینَ”
(Al-Baqarah: 97–98)
۞ Qur'anic Verse:
“وَإِنَّهُ لَتَنزِیلُ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِینَ۔ نَزَلَ بِهِ الرُّوحُ الْأَمِینُ۔ عَلَى قَلْبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُنذِرِینَ”
(Ash-Shu‘arā: 192–194)
These verses affirm that the Qur'an was revealed upon the heart of the Prophet ﷺ by Jibrīl under Allah’s command.
Though the second form of revelation is not compiled within the Qur'an, the Qur'an itself acknowledges its presence and attributes it to Allah:
✔ Specific instructions given to the Prophet ﷺ that are not present in the Qur'anic text, yet revealed by Allah through means other than angelic transmission.
✔ Numerous authentic Hadiths wherein the Prophet ﷺ stated explicitly that certain guidance was received through revelation, although it was not a part of the Qur'an.
The Qur'an compiles only the third form of revelation—that which was sent via the angel Jibrīl. The other two types are not included in the Qur'anic compilation, but they are referenced and acknowledged within the Qur'an itself.
Thus, the objection regarding a “dual nature” of revelation is unfounded. The Qur'an clearly testifies to a “threefold nature” of revelation, thereby nullifying the basis of the objection altogether.
❖ Objection: Questioning the “Dual Nature” of Revelation
The objector raises a concern: If everything the Prophet ﷺ did was under the guidance of revelation, then why (God forbid) was Allah not content with the first form of revelation, necessitating the sending down of a second form? Furthermore, it is argued that the Qur'an makes no mention of this second type of revelation, and that since the revelation of the Qur'an was already indicated in the revelations to previous prophets, could it not have been possible for Allah to mention this second form of revelation in the Qur'an as well?
❖ Commentary: Not “Dual” but “Triple” Forms of Revelation
The objection stems from a presumption of two types of revelation, whereas a careful study of the Qur'an reveals that three distinct types of revelation are explicitly mentioned therein. Of these, only one type is compiled in the Qur'an.
✿ Three Types of Revelation Mentioned in the Qur'an
۞ Qur'anic Verse:
“وَمَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن یكَلِّمَه اللَّهُ إِلَّا وَحْیا أَوْ مِن وَرَاء حِجَابٍ أَوْ یرْسِلَ رَسُولاً فَیوحِی بِإِذْنِهِ مَا یشَاء إِنَّهُ عَلِی حَكِیمٌ”
(Ash-Shūrā: 51)
Translation:
It is not for any human being that Allah should speak to him except by revelation, or from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger (angel) to reveal, by His permission, whatever He wills. Indeed, He is Most High, All-Wise.
◈ Explanation of the Three Types
① Direct Revelation (Wahy Ilhāmī or Ilqā’ī)
Allah conveys His guidance directly into the heart of the human being, through inspiration or spiritual instillation.
② Speech from Behind a Veil
Allah communicates directly with a person, but not face to face—rather, from behind a veil of divine power and majesty.
③ Revelation through an Angel (e.g., Jibrīl)
Allah sends His message through an angelic messenger who conveys the divine message as commanded. This is the form of revelation that is compiled in the Qur'an.
❖ Revelation Through Angel Jibrīl in the Qur'an
The Qur'an explicitly mentions that it was revealed through the angel Jibrīl (Gabriel):
۞ Qur'anic Verse:
“قُلْ مَن كَانَ عَدُوّاً لِّجِبْرِیلَ فَإِنَّهُ نَزَّلَهُ عَلَى قَلْبِكَ بِإِذْنِ اللّهِ مُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا بَینَ یدَیهِ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَى لِلْمُؤْمِنِینَ”
(Al-Baqarah: 97–98)
۞ Qur'anic Verse:
“وَإِنَّهُ لَتَنزِیلُ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِینَ۔ نَزَلَ بِهِ الرُّوحُ الْأَمِینُ۔ عَلَى قَلْبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُنذِرِینَ”
(Ash-Shu‘arā: 192–194)
These verses affirm that the Qur'an was revealed upon the heart of the Prophet ﷺ by Jibrīl under Allah’s command.
❖ Evidence for the Second Form of Revelation
Though the second form of revelation is not compiled within the Qur'an, the Qur'an itself acknowledges its presence and attributes it to Allah:
✔ Specific instructions given to the Prophet ﷺ that are not present in the Qur'anic text, yet revealed by Allah through means other than angelic transmission.
✔ Numerous authentic Hadiths wherein the Prophet ﷺ stated explicitly that certain guidance was received through revelation, although it was not a part of the Qur'an.
✦ Summary
The Qur'an compiles only the third form of revelation—that which was sent via the angel Jibrīl. The other two types are not included in the Qur'anic compilation, but they are referenced and acknowledged within the Qur'an itself.
Thus, the objection regarding a “dual nature” of revelation is unfounded. The Qur'an clearly testifies to a “threefold nature” of revelation, thereby nullifying the basis of the objection altogether.
