Direct Speech From Allaah: This is the second way in which Allaah communicates to the prophets directly. This is the meaning of the verse
"It is not possible for any human being that Allaah should speak to him unless it be from behind a veil... "(Q42[Shura]:51)
Allaah speaks directly to such prophet, but the prophet would not see him. An example of this was when Allaah spoke to Musa (alayhi salaam) on Mount Toor:
"And when Musa came at the time and place appointed by Us, and his Lord spoke to him, (Musa) said, Oh My Lord! Allow me to look at you! (Allaah) said, You will not see Me.." (Q7[A raf]:143)
This method of wahy occurred once with the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam),when he went on his journey of al-Israa wa al-Miraaj (the journey which took place during the late Makkan stage of the Prophet [salallahu alayhi wa saflam], in which he was taken from Makkah to Jerusalem, and then to the Heavens. The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) did not see Allaah; since there was a veil of light between them.
Abu Dharr (RA) asked the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam), "Did you see your Lord (on the journey of al-Israa):" The Prophet (salaflahu alayhi wa saflam) replied:
"Light - how could I see Him?" (Muslim)
meaning that there was a veil of Light that was between the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) and Allaah. In fact, seeing Allaah before the Day of Judgment is not possible for any human. Some scholars claim that the last two verses of Soorah al-Baqarah were revealed in this manner i.e., the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) received them from Allaah, without an intermediary, during the night of al-Israa wa al-Miraaj.
However, there is no authentic, explicit proof for this opinion. Revelation Through An Intermediary This is the primary and most common method of inspiration. This method of wahy is when Allaah sends an angel to inspire His Messenger. This is the meaning of the phrase,
"It is not possible for any human being that Allaah should speak to him unless... He sends a messenger, so He inspires him with what He wills ... " (Q42[Shura]:5)
This messenger was sometimes seen by the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) and sometimes hidden.
The Messenger whom Allaah chose to communicate with His prophets was the Angel Jibreel. Allaah says:
"Whoever is an enemy to Jibreel (let him perish), for indeed he has brought this (Qur'aan) down to your heart, . by Allaahs permission." (Q2[Baqarah]:97)
In another verse,
"And truly this (the Quraan) is a Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds; which the Trustworthy Spirit (Jibreel) brought down; upon your heart (Oh Muhammad) that you may be among the warners." (Q26[Shuaraa]:192-194)
When the Prophet (salaflahu alayhi wa sallam) saw Jibreel for the first time, his wife Khadeejah (RA) took him to her uncle, Waraqahibn Nawfal, who was a Christian, and was knowledgeable of the Torah and Injeel. After the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) informed him of what he had seen, Waraqah told him, "This angel is the same one, the Naamoos (Keeper of Secrets), whom Allaah sent to Musa!" (Bukhari)
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited