Intro
On page-78 of Imam Abu Hanifa’s famous book, “Fiqh al Akbar”, Imam Abu Hanifa explains how “Wahi” is only for the prophets/messengers, whereas “ilham” is for non-prophets, like Hazrat Umar (via the Muhaddath theory)(found by Damon Stengel). This is in total contradiction to MGA’s usage of Wahi/ilham in 1882.

In the Quran, “Wahi” is used for humans that are non-prophets twice, to an animal/insect once and to the Samaat Wattay (lower heavens) once. Thus, only 4 instances of usage for Wahi for non-prophets. We found 17 instances of Wahi used for the prophets/messengers. We also found one instance of the word “ilham” (see ref in the below). Listen to Mirza Tahir Ahmad explaining the Ahmadi belief that Wahi=ilham, in the 1990′s.

4 instances of Wahi for non-prophets in the Quran
In the Quran, Wahi is used to signify ilham to non-prophets like the companions of Eisa (as)(See 5:112, 5:113 in the Qadiani Quran), the mother of Musa (as)(See 28:7, 28:8 in the Qadiani Quran)(See also 20:38, 20:39 in the Qadiani Quran), the bee (see 16:68, 16:69 in the Qadiani Quran). In 41:12 (41:13 in the Qadiani Quran) Allah gave Wahi to Samaa Wattay (lower heavens) and assigned duties to them.

17 instances of Wahi used for Rasul/Nabi
7:117 (7:118 in the Qadiani Quran), 10:2 (10:3 in the Qadiani Quran) also mentions how Allah sent Wahi to Muhammad (Saw). See 42:51 and 42:52 also (42:52 and 42:53 in the Qadiani Quran) Allah says that he only communicates via Wahi to his prophets. 53:4 (53:5 in the Qadiani Quran). 3 times in 4:163 (4:164 in the Qadiani Quran). 21:45 (21:46 in the Qadiani Quran). 11:36 (11:37 in the Qadiani Quran). 16:43 (16:44 in the Qadiani Quran). 14:13 (14:14 in the Qadiani Quran). 20:114 (20:115 in the Qadiani Quran). 21:73 (21:74 in the Qadiani Quran). 23:27 (23:28 in the Qadiani Quran). 20:77 (20:78 in the Qadiani Quran). 21:7 (21:8 in the Qadiani Quran).

Tanzila
This seems to be another word that Allah uses to describe his revelations to humans.

Unzila
Unzila is also used to describe the revelations of Allah.

ilham via Allah to the Universe
91:8 (91:9 in the Qadiani Quran).

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Waḥyu (Arabic: وَحْي, IPA: [waħj]; pl.: وُحِيّ wuḥiyy, IPA: [wuħijː]; also spelled wahi) is the Arabic word for revelation. In Islamic belief, revelations are God‘s Word delivered by His chosen individuals – known as Messenger prophets – to mankind.

Quran

In Islam, the Quran is considered a revelation given to the Islamic prophet, Muhammad. The word awha (أوحى awḥá) occurs in a number of shades of meaning, each of them indicating the main underlying idea of directing or guiding someone or something.

Islamic scholars say that there is a clear difference between these kind of wahy and wahy to the Messenger Prophet. The prophets were very much conscious about revelations and they firmly believed that the revelations were true and came from the Almighty God. The word wahy (revelation) is derived from awha.

In Islamic tradition, Quran 42:51 serves as the basis of understanding for waḥy.

“It is not fitting for a man that Allah should speak to him except by inspiration, or from behind a veil, or by the sending of a messenger to reveal, with Allah’s permission, what Allah wills”.

Based on this, Islamic scholars have described three ways in which God‘s revelation can reach his chosen individuals, especially prophets.

  • An inspired message – not a word but an idea – can enter the heart of the chosen individuals either in the state of consciousness or in dream.
  • The second mode, it is said, is the word heard by the person spoken to, like, from behind a veil (indirectly). An example would be Moses and the burning bush.
  • In the third mode, the revelation is sent from God through archangels like Gabriel and is delivered to the prophets. It is the highest form of revelation, and Muslims believe the whole Quran was revealed in this mode.

Purpose

According to Islamic scholar Muhammad Shafi Usmani, God has created three media through which human receive knowledge: the senses, the faculty of reason, and the divine revelation; and it is the third one that addresses the liturgical and eschatological issues, answers the questions regarding God’s purpose behind creating mankind, and acts as a guidance for the mankind as to choosing the correct way. In Islamic belief, the sequence of divine revelation came to an end with Muhammad.

Mode of descent

As regard to revelation received by Muhammad, Muslim sources mention various modes in which they believe revelation came to him. Muslim scholar Muhammad Shafi Usmani has summarized five modes of descent. The common mode was that Muhammad would hear sound like “the ringing of a bell” after which he found the message committed to his memory. Sometimes, the archangel would come in human shape, most often of Dihyah al-Kalbi. In two cases, Gabriel appeared in his real form. Once, on the night of Miraj, Muhammad is believed to have had a direct conversation with God. In the fifth mode, Gabriel would let the revelation enter into Muhammad’s heart.
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Links and Related Essay’s

Al-Fiqh al-Akbar – Wikipedia

In 1880-1882, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad purposely mixed up ilham and Wahi – ahmadiyyafactcheckblog

Waḥy – Wikipedia

https://youtu.be/ssOONhsw8zA?si=aLEzT26wlP5V5kMf

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Tags

#ahmadiyya #ahmadiyyafactcheckblog #messiahhascome #ahmadiyyat #trueislam #ahmadianswers #mirzaghulamahmad #qadiani #qadianism