Revelation (Wahi) is simply communication from Allah to his creation.

  1. A couple of reasons for this is to inform us of morality - What is good and what is a bad?
  2. To inform of the punishments or reward that awaits us for our beliefs and actions.

Linguistic definition

  • Wahi is to convey knowledge discreetly or with subtlety (Ibn al-Faris).

  • Rahib al-Asfahani also adds the nuance of it being quick.

  • Wahy is a any form of communication that fits into the above category

  • For e.g. it could be a sound, gesture, book, letter, inspiration, innate knowledge or satanic whispering

Inspiring the bees: https://quran.com/an-nahl/68 Inspired the mother of Musa: https://quran.com/28/7 Devils inspire their allies: https://quran.com/al-anam/121

Technical definition

Allah (SWT) informing someone special who He has chosen of matters of the unseen, sacred laws and wisdom in a manner which is quick and discreet.

The one receiving it can be an human or angel, and coupled with certainty that this is from Allah.

Wahi to Angels

To support the believers: https://quran.com/8/12

Types of revelation