Chapter 2 Verse 5 – Has Revelation Ended
The non Ahmadi Muslims try everything, to close the door of Prophethood. The non Ahmadi Muslims love to quote:
وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ وَبِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ {5}
And who believe in that which has been revealed to thee, and that which was revealed before thee, and they have firm faith in what is yet to come (Chapter 2 Verse 5)
The translation of the non Ahmadi Muslims differ and they state that because the translation according to them is :
“And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith].”
Before the answer is given in depth, I would like to make it clear that Hadhrat Ahmadas said that his revelation is indeed included in this verse:
Hadhrat Ahmadas basically explains that he was contemplating over this verse, and thought that the Qur’an says have faith in the Qur’an and the wahi before the Prophetsaw and why his wahi is not mentioned. Then, heas explains that he was contemplating over this, and Allah put it in his heart that all three revelations are mentioned. The revelation to the Prophetsaw , the revelation before, and the revelation to come, which is signified by the word al akhir. In reality, it refers to the revelation of the Promised Messiahas. Heas explains that it includes the wahi of the Prophetsaw, the wahi before him, and the wahi which was to come after him. Of course not being shariah wahi, meaning new laws or teachings.
This would mean revelation has ended according to their false interpretation. However, this is not true at all. Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmadra states:
“The word “al-Akhir” (what is yet to come” means either “the message or revelation which is to follow” or “the Last Abode”, i.e. the next life. Of these two meanings the first is more applicable here; for it fits in with the other two parts of the verse which speaks of God’s revelations. In this connection it is also noteworthy that while the word إعيمان has been used in reference to the past and present revelations, the word يقين has been used in reference to the future one. This is because إعيمان relates to something definite and determined, and as future revelation was not yet definite and determined at the time when the verse was revealed, so the word يقين was used for it.
The subject of the matter of the latter part of this verse, referred to in the words, “what is yet to come” finds further explanation in 6:3,4 where the Qur’an speaks of two advents of the Holy Prophet. His first advent took place among the Arabs in the 7th century of the Christian era when the Qur’an was revealed to him; and his second advent was to take place in the latter days of the world in the person of one of his followers who was to come in his spirit and power. This prophecy found its fulfillment in the person of Ahmad, the Promised Messiah and Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, in whose advent have been fulfilled also the prophecies of other Prophets regarding the appearance of a World-Messenger in the latter days” (Five Volume Commentary of The Holy Qur’an page 35)
Furthermore, the non Ahmadi Muslims accuse us of translating al-akhir as what is yet to come, and claim that the word can only mean what is in the hereafter or in regards to the hereafter. This is totally false and their own translations have translated al-akhir as something which had to come in the end times. Allah States:
إِنْ أَحْسَنْتُمْ أَحْسَنْتُمْ لِأَنْفُسِكُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ أَسَأْتُمْ فَلَهَا ۚ فَإِذَا جَاءَ وَعْدُ الْآخِرَةِ لِيَسُوءُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَلِيَدْخُلُوا الْمَسْجِدَ كَمَا دَخَلُوهُ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَلِيُتَبِّرُوا مَا عَلَوْا تَتْبِيرًا{8}
Now, if you do well, you will do well for your own souls; and if you do evil, it will only go against them. So when the time for the latter warning came, We raised a people against you to cover your faces with grief, and to enter the Mosque as they entered it the first time, and to destroy all that they conquered with utter destruction. (Chapter 17 Verse 8)
The non Ahmadis also translate akhir as Ahmadis have in this verse. Muhsin Khan has translated it as “the second promise”. Yusuf Ali has also translated it as the second of the warnings while Shakir also translated it as second promise. Allah has also Stated:
مَا سَمِعْنَا بِهَٰذَا فِي الْمِلَّةِ الْآخِرَةِ إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا اخْتِلَاقٌ {8}
‘We have not heard of this even in the latest religion. This is nothing but a fabrication.(Chapter 38 Verse 8)
This ayah has also used the same word of al-akhira and the non Ahmadi Muslims have translated it as the latest religion, or the people of the latter days. Pickthall has translated it, as the latest religion while Yusuf Ali has translated it as the people of these latter days. The non Ahmadi Muslims accuse Ahmadi Muslims of such a translation, when their own primary translators have translated al-akhira as we have.
Furthermore in Surah ad-Dhuha, Allah States:
وَلَلْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَكَ مِنَ الْأُولَىٰ {5}
Surely, every hour that follows is better for thee than the one that precedes (Chapter 93, Verse 5)
Even with this verse, many scholars of the Sunni Muslims have translated akhir as what is yet to come. For example Shakir stated that it refers to what comes after. Pickthall also stated the same.
The Qur’an is full of proofs that it is an attribute of Allah to Speak with his servants and this is a attribute which will never cease. Our God speaks and Will Continue to Speak forever.
Firstly, Allah States:
إِنَّا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ كَمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ نُوحٍ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ ۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَعِيسَىٰ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُونُسَ وَهَارُونَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ ۚ وَآتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ زَبُورًا {164}
Surely, We have sent revelation to thee, as We sent revelation to Noah and the Prophets after him; and We sent revelation to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and his children and to Jesus and Job and Jonah and Aaron and Solomon, and We gave David a Book.(Chapter 4 verse 164)
This verse only mentions of revelation to Noahas and the Prophets after him, but there were Prophets before Noahas which included Idrisas and also Adamas. With the non Ahmadi Muslim logic, it would mean they were not revealed to and were false prophets, God forbid.
We will now examine plenty of verses in the Qur’an which show revelation is an everlasting blessing of Allah and will never cease to exist. Allah States:
وَاتَّخَذَ قَوْمُ مُوسَىٰ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ مِنْ حُلِيِّهِمْ عِجْلًا جَسَدًا لَهُ خُوَارٌ ۚ أَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّهُ لَا يُكَلِّمُهُمْ وَلَا يَهْدِيهِمْ سَبِيلًا ۘ اتَّخَذُوهُ وَكَانُوا ظَالِمِينَ {149}
And the people of Moses made, in his absence, out of their ornaments a calf — alifeless body producing a lowing sound. Did they not see that it spoke not to them, nor guided them to any way? They took it for worship and they were transgressors.(Chapter 7 Verse 149)
Allah has made it Clear in this verse that how can the people of Mosesas take a calf as a Lord when it is condemned as a deity, since it does not speak or guide them in any way. This shows that the only way Allah can remain a true deity, is if He speaks to His servants and Guides them. Those who think that God used to Speak and reveal Himself in the past alone are in complete error and should not have such a blasphemous belief. Speaking is an attribute of Allah which will never cease and Allah Speaks at all times, and those who possess the capacity and quality to hear Him, can Hear Him till today. It is a foolish belief to say that all types of revelation have ended since the Death of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw. Revelation does not mean a new law and it is needed for the freshness of spiritual life and helps one become Closer to his Creator.
Allah further emphasizes His beautiful Attribute of Speaking by Stating:
إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ يَا أَبَتِ لِمَ تَعْبُدُ مَا لَا يَسْمَعُ وَلَا يُبْصِرُ وَلَا يُغْنِي عَنْكَ شَيْئًا {43}
When he said to his father, ‘O my father, why dost thou worship that which hears not, nor sees, nor can avail thee aught?(Chapter 19 Verse 43)
Allah also States:
أَفَلَا يَرَوْنَ أَلَّا يَرْجِعُ إِلَيْهِمْ قَوْلًا وَلَا يَمْلِكُ لَهُمْ ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا {90}
Could they not see that it returned to them no answer, and had no power to do them either harm or good?(Chapter 20 Verse 90)
And:
لَهُ دَعْوَةُ الْحَقِّ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِهِ لَا يَسْتَجِيبُونَ لَهُمْ بِشَيْءٍ إِلَّا كَبَاسِطِ كَفَّيْهِ إِلَى الْمَاءِ لِيَبْلُغَ فَاهُ وَمَا هُوَ بِبَالِغِهِ ۚ وَمَا دُعَاءُ الْكَافِرِينَ إِلَّا فِي ضَلَالٍ {15}
Unto Him is the true prayer. And those on whom they call beside Him answer them not at all, except as he is answered who stretches forth his two hands toward water that it may reach his mouth, but it reaches it not. And the prayer of the disbelievers is but a thing wasted.(Chapter 13 Verse 15)
These verses make it clear that Allah spoke in the past, He Speaks now, and will always Speak in the future as well. Some have a misconception that Allah only reveals to the prophets. The verses above have already answered this misconception but here are more verses from the Qur’an which prove that Allah reveals to everyone He wants to, rather than the Prophets alone. Allah States:
قُلْ هَٰذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي ۖ وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ {109}
Say, ‘This is my way: I call unto Allah on sure knowledge, I and those who follow me. And Holy is Allah; and I am not of those who associate gods with God.’(Chapter 12 Verse 109)
The Holy Prophet, Muhammadsaw called towards Allah through revelation and his true followers would also have this knowledge according to the Qur’an. There are many people who are called Saints who are also revealed to. There are many examples of their revelations and the revelations of the khulafa which will be narrated as well. Allah States:
أَلَا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ{63} الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَكَانُوا يَتَّقُونَ {64} لَهُمُ الْبُشْرَىٰ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ{65}
Behold! the friends of Allah shall certainly have no fear, nor shall they grieve —Those who believed and kept to righteousness —For them are glad tidings in the present life and also in the Hereafter — there is no changing the words of Allah; that indeed is the supreme triumph.(Chapter 10 Verses 63-65)
Allah States:
يُنَزِّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةَ بِالرُّوحِ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ عَلَىٰ مَنْ يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ أَنْ أَنْذِرُوا أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاتَّقُونِ {3}
He sends down the angels with revelation by His command on whomsoever of His servants He pleases saying, ‘Warn people that there is no God but I, so take Me alone for your Protector.’(Chapter 16 Verse 3)
Allah further States:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنْتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ {31} نَحْنُ أَوْلِيَاؤُكُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِي أَنْفُسُكُمْ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَدَّعُونَ {32}
As for those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah,’ and then remain steadfast, the angels descend on them, saying: ‘Fear ye not, nor grieve; and rejoice in the Garden that you were promised We are your friends in this life and in the Hereafter. Therein you will have all that your souls will desire, and therein you will have all that you will ask for —(Chapter 41 Verses 31-32)
These verses clearly show us that Allah will always bestow his revelation on the true believers. Allah also States:
وَمَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَنْ يُكَلِّمَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا وَحْيًا أَوْ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ أَوْ يُرْسِلَ رَسُولًا فَيُوحِيَ بِإِذْنِهِ مَا يَشَاءُ ۚ إِنَّهُ عَلِيٌّ حَكِيمٌ {52}
And it is not for a man that Allah should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a veil or by sending a messenger to reveal by His command what He pleases. Surely, He is High, Wise.(Chapter 42 Verse 52)
Another important point to keep in mind is that it is not a must for Allah to always indicate in the verses of what is yet to come. For example, Allah States:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ {22}
O ye men, worship your Lord Who created you and those who were before you, that you may become righteous;(Chapter 2 Verse 22)
In this verse, Allah does not Mention of any creation after but this does not in any way infer that Allah Did not Create those after us. The point is that just because something is not mentioned, does not mean it doesn’t exist.
Despite all of this proof form the Qur’an, the Non Ahmadi Muslims are forced to believe that the Messiahas would be revealed to. Indeed if the latter day messiah is a prophet according to Allah, then of course he would be revealed to as it is narrated in Sahih Muslim :
إِذْ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ إِلَى عِيسَى إِنِّي قَدْ أَخْرَجْتُ عِبَادًا لِي لاَ يَدَانِ لأَحَدٍ بِقِتَالِهِمْ فَحَرِّزْ عِبَادِي إِلَى الطُّورِ .
“Allah would reveal to Isa these words: I have brought forth from amongst My servants such people against whom none would be able to fight; you take these people safely to Tur.” (Sahih Muslim 2937a)
The non Ahmadi Muslims believe and truly love Hadhrat Imam Suyuti and Ibn Hajjar al Haithami. Both scholars were living long before Hadhrat Ahmadas and both agreed that the latter day Messiah would receive revelation. Ibn Hajjar al Haithami stated:
Ibn Hajjar al Haithami was asked in regards to the revelation of the latter day Messiah to which he answered:
“Yes Allah the Almighty will send upon him true revelation, as the hadith of Sahih Muslim states”(Ruh Ul Mani, Under Surah Ahzab Ayahs 40-49)
In fact, Ibn Hajjar Al Haithami even stated that Ibrahim, the son of the Holy Prophetsaw was a prophet and received revelation under his mothers care.
Imam Sayuti also states the same:
Furthermore, The Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw has stated;
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا غُنْدَرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ رُؤْيَا الْمُؤْمِنِ جُزْءٌ مِنْ سِتَّةٍ وَأَرْبَعِينَ جُزْءًا مِنَ النُّبُوَّةِ ”.
Narrated ‘Ubada bin As-Samit: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The (good) dreams of a faithful believer is a part of the forty-six parts of prophetism:'(Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 87, Hadith #116)
Hazrat Aishara Stated:
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ عُقَيْلٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ، أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ أَوَّلُ مَا بُدِئَ بِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنَ
Narrated ‘Aisha:(the mother of the faithful believers) The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright daylight, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. ‘ (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Hadith #3)
This makes it clear that even true dreams fall under Wahy. The Holy Prophetsaw further made it clear that Muslims from the Ummah would have the divine communion with Allah. Hesaw Stated:
زَادَ زَكَرِيَّاءُ بْنُ أَبِي زَائِدَةَ عَنْ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ لَقَدْ كَانَ فِيمَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ رِجَالٌ يُكَلَّمُونَ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَكُونُوا أَنْبِيَاءَ، فَإِنْ يَكُنْ مِنْ أُمَّتِي مِنْهُمْ أَحَدٌ فَعُمَرُ ”.
Narrated Abu Huraira: “The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Among the nation of Bani Israel who lived before you, there were men who used to be inspired with guidance though they were not prophets, and if there is any of such persons amongst my followers, it is ‘Umar.”(Sahih Bukhari, Volume ,5 Book 57, Hadith #28)
The Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw made it clear that non Prophets are also given the revelation of Allah and that Hazrat Umarra is one of them. This clearly shows that the door to revelation is open. The Holy Prophetsaw has shown us that since it has happened with the nations before, it would also happen with the greatest nation of the Muslims. He has mentioned Umarra because of how much of an amazing companion he truly was. Ahmadas states:
“You read the Hadith, which says, “If this Ummah has Muhaddathin to whom God speaks then such a Muhaddath is Omar”? Would you say that, therefore, Muhaddathiya is over after Omar? No! The meaning of Hadith is that whoever in spirit and power is like Omar, will be a Muhaddath when time for his advent comes. It was in this sense that this humble one once received the revelation: “You have been endowed with the character of Omar”(Victory of Islam)
There is much more mention of non Prophets being revealed to by Allah in the Qur’an. The verses which show that revelation will forever continue show that Allah reveals to whomsoever He pleases of His servants. Here are more examples of the Qur’an:
وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ أُمِّ مُوسَىٰ أَنْ أَرْضِعِيهِ ۖ فَإِذَا خِفْتِ عَلَيْهِ فَأَلْقِيهِ فِي الْيَمِّ وَلَا تَخَافِي وَلَا تَحْزَنِي ۖ إِنَّا رَادُّوهُ إِلَيْكِ وَجَاعِلُوهُ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ {8}
And We revealed to the mother of Moses saying, ‘Suckle him; and when thou fearest for him, then cast him into the river and fear not, nor grieve; for We shall restore him to thee, and shall make him one of the Messengers.’(Chapter 28 Verse 8)
In this ayah, Allah revealed to the mother of Mosesas whom we know was not a prophet, “suckle him” and also gave the commands to cast Mosesas into the river and not to have any fear in regards to it. Allah has mentioned commands and also a prohibition by revealing “fear not”. Allah also revealed to the mother of Isaas:
وَهُزِّي إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ تُسَاقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًا جَنِيًّا{26}
“And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree; it will cause fresh ripe dates to fall upon thee(Chapter 19 Verse 26)
In this ayah, Allah has revealed commands to Hazrat Maryamas who was also not a prophet.
Allah also States that the disciples of Isaas were given revelation. How can a sincere Muslim believe revelation for the Messiah sent to Bani Israel, extended to his disciples but this was not extended to any follower of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw? Allah States:
وَإِذْ أَوْحَيْتُ إِلَى الْحَوَارِيِّينَ أَنْ آمِنُوا بِي وَبِرَسُولِي قَالُوا آمَنَّا وَاشْهَدْ بِأَنَّنَا مُسْلِمُونَ{112}
And when I inspired the disciples of Jesus to believe in Me and in My Messenger, they said, ‘We believe and bear Thou witness that we have submitted.’(Chapter 5 Verse 112)
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas states:
Some ignorant clerics go so far in their denial that they assert that the door of revelation is altogether closed and that it is not open to a Muslim to enable him to perfect his faith through this bounty and then to act righteously under the urge of his faith. The answer to those who think like this is that if the Muslims are so unfortunate and blind and are the worst of people, why have they been named the best of people by God Almighty? The truth is that those who think like this are themselves foolish and stupid. As God Almighty has taught the Muslims the prayer that is set out in the Surah Fatihah, He has also designed to bestow upon them the bounty that was bestowed upon the Prophets; that is to say, the bounty of converse with the Divine which is the fountainhead of all bounties. Has God Almighty merely cheated us with this prayer? What good can there be in a useless and fallen people who are even worse than the women of Israel? Obviously, the mother of Moses and the mother of Jesus were both women and, as our opponents also believe, they were not Prophets. Yet they were favoured with Divine revelation. Is it to be imagined that if a Muslim were to have such a pure soul as that of Abraham and were to be so obedient to God Almighty as to cast aside his ego altogether, and were to be so absorbed in the love of God Almighty that he should entirely lose his own self, yet he cannot be the recipient of revelation like the mother of Moses? Can any reasonable person attribute such miserliness to God Almighty? My only response to such people is:
لَعْنَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْكَاذِبِينَ
The truth is that when these people became the insects of the earth, and the only insignia of Islam left in them were their turbans, beards, circumcision, a few verbal affirmations, and mere formalities of observing Prayer and fasting, God Almighty deadened their hearts. Thousands of dark veils covered their eyes and they lost all signs of spiritual life. They thus denied the possibility of converse with the Divine. This denial is, in truth, a denial of Islam; but since their hearts are dead, they do not realize their own true condition.”(Brahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Part V, Ruhani Khazan Volume 21, Pages 310-311)
Heas further states: “O ye Muslims! Beware that such thinking is sheer ignorance and stupidity. If Islam is such a dead religion, whom can you invite to it? Will you carry its corpse to Japan or will you present it to Europe? Who would be foolish enough to fall in love with a dead religion that is bereft of all blessing and spirituality such as appeared in the religions of the past? In those religions even women received revelation, as was the case with the mother of Moses and the mother of Jesus, but your men are not equal even to those women. O ye stupid and blind ones, our Holy Prophet, our lord and master (thousands of blessings be on him) was ahead of all Prophets in his spiritual grace. The grace of previous Prophets came to an end at a certain stage and now those peoples and their religions are dead. There is no life in them. But the grace of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) continues till the Day of Judgment. That is why it is not needed that a Messiah should come from outside for his people. To be brought up under the shadow of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) can convert a humble person into a Messiah, as God has done in my case.” (Chashma-e-Masihi, Ruhani Khazain, Volume 20, Page 389)
Many non Ahmadi Muslims also believe that revelation was not given to the companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw. This is totally false and only said because of ignorance. Here are some examples of companions receiving revelation in the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw and also after Hesaw passed away:
حَدَّثَنَا النُّفَيْلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ، حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ عَبَّادٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَبَّادِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَائِشَةَ، تَقُولُ لَمَّا أَرَادُوا غَسْلَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالُوا وَاللَّهِ مَا نَدْرِي أَنُجَرِّدُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ ثِيَابِهِ كَمَا نُجَرِّدُ مَوْتَانَا أَمْ نُغَسِّلُهُ وَعَلَيْهِ ثِيَابُهُ فَلَمَّا اخْتَلَفُوا أَلْقَى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمُ النَّوْمَ حَتَّى مَا مِنْهُمْ رَجُلٌ إِلاَّ وَذَقْنُهُ فِي صَدْرِهِ ثُمَّ كَلَّمَهُمْ مُكَلِّمٌ مِنْ نَاحِيَةِ الْبَيْتِ لاَ يَدْرُونَ مَنْ هُوَ أَنِ اغْسِلُوا النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَعَلَيْهِ ثِيَابُهُ فَقَامُوا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَغَسَلُوهُ وَعَلَيْهِ قَمِيصُهُ يَصُبُّونَ الْمَاءَ فَوْقَ الْقَمِيصِ وَيُدَلِّكُونَهُ بِالْقَمِيصِ دُونَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَكَانَتْ عَائِشَةُ تَقُولُ لَوِ اسْتَقْبَلْتُ مِنْ أَمْرِي مَا اسْتَدْبَرْتُ مَا غَسَّلَهُ إِلاَّ نِسَاؤُهُ .
Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu’minin:By Allah, we did not know whether we should take off the clothes of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as we took off the clothes of our dead, or wash him while his clothes were on him. When they (the people) differed among themselves, Allah cast slumber over them until every one of them had put his chin on his chest. Then a speaker spoke from a side of the house, and they did not know who he was: Wash the Prophet (ﷺ) while his clothes are on him. So they stood round the Prophet (ﷺ) and washed him while he had his shirt on him. They poured water on his shirt, and rubbed him with his shirt and not with their hands. Aisha used to say: If I had known beforehand about my affair what I found out later, none would have washed him except his wives.(Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith #3141)
There is also an incident where Abu Bakrra was revealed to which we have recorded. It is obvious that Hera was blessed with the communion of Allah a countless amount of times. It is stated:
“A slave-girl of Abu Bakr was pregnant. He said: It was revealed to me that it would be a girl. And she gave birth to a girl.”(Kitab al-Lama’, by Abu Nasr Abdullah al-Qausani, ch. Abu Bakr)
There is a statement recorded which describes a revelation of Umarra as well. It is stated:
“In the written orders which Umar [the second Caliph] sent to [his army commander] Sa‘ad Ibn Abi Waqqas during the Persian campaign, it was stated that it had been revealed to him that the enemy would be defeated.”(Al-Wasa’iq as-Sabasiyya, p. 302, compiled by Dr Hamidullah of Hyderabad)
In regards to Alira it is stated:
“Ali and al-Fazl were washing the Holy Prophet’s body when Ali heard a voice saying: Lift up your eyes to heaven.”(Al-Khasa’is al-Kubra, by Suyuti, vol. ii, p. 276)
Another story is as follows:
“Anas related that Abu Ibn Ka‘b said: I shall enter the mosque and pray, and praise God so much that no one would have praised Him like that. So when he prayed, and sat down to praise God, he heard a voice from behind him saying: O God, all praise is due to Thee, all good is in Thy hand, all affairs return to Thee, open or secret, all praise is due to Thee, Thou hast power over all things, forgive me my past sins and keep me pure for the rest of my life, grant me to do good deeds which please Thee from me, and turn to me mercifully.Then Abu Ibn Ka‘b came to the Holy Prophet and related this to him. The Holy Prophet said: That was Gabriel.”(Ruh al-Ma‘ani, vol. vii, p. 64, under verse 33:40)
Another story is:Abdullah Ibn Zaid Ibn Abd Rabbih related: When the Holy Prophet ordered the making of a trumpet to use it to call people to prayer, I saw in a dream a man carrying a trumpet in his hand. I said to him: Are you selling the trumpet? He said: What will you do with it? I said: Call people to prayer. He said: Shall I not show you something better than it? I said: Yes. He said: Say, Allahu Akbar (up to the end of the words of the Call to Prayer). In the morning I went to the Holy Prophet and told him of my dream. He said: ‘Your dream is surely true, if God so will. Go and stand with Bilal and tell him your dream. Let him give the call to prayer, because his voice is louder than yours.’ So I stood with Bilal and told him of the words, and he made the call to prayer.”(Mishkat, Book of Prayer, ch. ‘The Call to Prayer’, sec. 3)
These are only some narrations of the companions and this was also the same view of many of the greatest Muslim saints. Here are statements of the greatest saints according to even the non Ahmadi Muslims who firstly explain that even non prophets receive revelations, and then many revelations which are recorded in regards to their lives:
Hazrat Muhy-ud-Din Ibn Arabirh has written: “The wali [saint] is indeed a bashir and nazir, but he is not a law-giver.”(Futuhat Makkiyya, Part II, p. 376)
Sayyid Ismail Shaheed who was known to be the Indian Muslim theologian who lead in the early nineteenth century, stated in regards to the ayah “There is no town but it had a warner”:
“It has been said that the word nazir [warner] includes prophets and saints.” (Abqaat, Urdu translation by Manazir Ahsan Gilani, published in A.P., India, p. 402)
In one of the most famous Arabic dictionary called Mufradat, Imam Raghibrh has stated: “The word of God which is communicated to His prophets and His saints is called wahy.” (Mufradat of Raghib, under wahy)
Imam Jafar Sadiqrh has stated :“Revelation is one of the characteristics of the chosen ones of God. To give arguments without revelation is a mark of being rejected from the Divine Presence.” (Tazkirat al-Auliya, ch. 1, p. 23)
He also stated: I read the Quran with such zeal and enthusiasm that it was revealed to me through revelation.” (Futuhat Makkiyya by Ibn Arabi)
It is also stated in regards to him: “Some of those who have Divine experience have said about themselves that they hear the word of God, and that He communicates with them, as is recorded of Imam Ja‘far Sadiq that he said: I read a verse of the Quran so frequently that I heard it from God, the Revealer of the verse.”(Maktubat of Mujaddid Alif Sani, vol. iii, p. 166)
It is stated in regards to Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbalrh: “He said: One day I was in the public baths, and there was a group of people who entered the water without any clothes. I kept in mind the hadith: He who believes in God and the Last Day should not enter the public bath without a waist-wrapper. So I did not remove all my clothes. That night I saw in a dream someone saying to me: ‘O Ahmad, receive good news that God has forgiven you on account of your following the hadith, and made you a leader who shall be followed.’ I said: Who are you? He said: Gabriel.”(Ihya as-Sunna)
Imam Ghazalirh has stated: “Undoubtedly, knowledge comes to our hearts through the angels, and this is referred to in the word of God: It is not vouchsafed to a mortal that God should speak to him except by revelation …”(Ihya al-‘Ulum, vol. iii, p. 1)
And: “Know that the men of the heart are shown the secrets of the worlds through inspiration [into the mind], or through true dreams, or through visions while awake. This is one of the highest grades of the degrees of prophethood, as a true dream is one of the forty-six parts of prophethood. So beware of denying this knowledge through lack of understanding.” (ibid., p. 67)
Hazrat Sayyid Abdul Qadir Jilanirh has stated: “Woe unto you, O innovator! Does God not have the power to say: I am God. Our God, great is His glory, is a speaker, and not dumb. His word is heard and understood.”(Al-Fath ar-Rabbani, p. 153)
He also states:“When you attain perfection in fana [annihilation], your rank near God will be raised, and you will be addressed in the words: This day you are with us, a dignified, trusted one.”(Futuh al-Ghaib, with Persian commentary, Discourse no. 28, p. 171) (Referring to Chapter 12 Verse 55)
He further states: The words wa-stana‘tu-ka li-nafsi (I have chosen thee especially for Myself), which are in the Quranic verse 20:41, were revealed to Abdul Qadir Jilani several times. (ibid., p. 33)
And:“I am not an ordinary preacher like your preachers. I speak by command of God Almighty. Take my words to be the orders of God. When I preach from the pulpit, God manifests Himself upon my heart.” (Tuhfa Qadiriyya, p. 82)
Imam Qurtubirh has stated: “The true, righteous Muslim is he whose condition resembles the condition of the prophets. He is favoured with that with which the prophets were favoured, that is, information of the unseen.” (Fath al-Bari, standard commentary of Bukhari, vol. xii, p. 3)
Hazrat Muhiy-ud-Din Ibn Arabirh has stated:“It is impossible that revelation from God can stop. For if it were to be cut off, there would not remain for the world any spiritual food by which it continues to subsist.” (Futuhat Makkiyya, Part II, p. 90, question no. 82)
He further states: Of us [saints] are those who receive from God those very commandments which are in the Shari‘ah. The source is the same as it used to be for the Holy Prophet Muhammad. Such persons are his followers because these commandments are not opposed to the Shari‘ah.” (Fusus al-Hukam, p. 183)
And:“All the forms of revelation we have explained here are to be found in men of God, from among the saints. The revelation which was exclusive to the prophet, and not for the saint, is the revelation containing the Shari‘ah.” (Futuhat Makkiyya, Part II, p. 376)
And also:“And thus the coming of the Quran upon the hearts of the saints is not cut off, despite the fact that the Quran is safely preserved with them. It happens due to their zeal, and it is for only some of them. (ibid., p. 258)
He lastly states:The Quranic verse “We believe in God and what has been revealed to us … and we submit to Him” (2:136) was revealed in revelation received by Ibn Arabi. (ibid., Part III, p. 367)
A commentary of Jalal Ud Din Rumi states: “The expediency of hiding it from the public is to avoid trouble, because if a man of God were to say, I learnt such and such a thing from Divine revelation, people may think that he was claiming prophethood. Then, let alone people being alienated from him, he would actually fear for his life …
And: “The fact is that God speaks to angels, prophets, and specially-chosen saints through His ancient word, and puts words in their souls with different meanings. In accordance with His eternal knowledge, God makes them understand the meaning which He intends, and they receive that significance according to their capacity. With angels and prophets, this is called wahy, and with saints it is called ilham, but the Sufis term wahy as inner revelation.” (Miftah al-‘Ulum, Daftar iv, Part I, vol. xi, p. 361)
Imam Hajar Asqalanirh writes: “When revelation was cut off with the Holy Prophet’s death, revelation came to those whom God chose” (Fath al Bari, Volume I, Page 332)
Imam Abdul Wahab Shi’rani wrote: “Revelation remains for the saints, which does not contain shari’ah in it.” (Al-Yawaqit wal-Jawahir, page 37)
He also states: The revelation which brings Shari‘ah has been stopped after the Holy Prophet Muhammad. And of the favours which God has bestowed upon me, one is that He has made me a recipient of sound revelation.”(Al-Kibariyya al-Ahmar, footnote in Yawaqit, vol. ii, p. 8)
The famous scholar of India named Shaikh Ahmad who was of Sirhind, stated: “Question: Since the religion has been completed and perfected by the Holy Prophet’s example, what is the need for revelation, and what deficiency is there which is made good by revelation?
“Answer: Revelation makes manifest the hidden perfections of the religion, not increase the perfections in religion. Just as exercise of reason (ijtihaad) makes clear the commandments of the religion, so does revelation make clear the secrets and subtleties which most people cannot understand. The distinct difference between the exercise of reason and revelation is that the former is related to opinion while the latter is ascribed to the Great Creator of opinions. Therefore, revelation has a certainty which reason does not.”(Maktubat, vol. iii, Part VII, Daftar ii, Letter no. 55, p. 19)
And: “Commandments of the Shari‘ah are revealed at particular times but commands of revelation in general are required at all times. … The Shari‘ah commandments are based on four sources [the reference is to Quran, Hadith, Ijma and Qiyas through which laws are derived], where revelation of saints (ilham) finds no place. But leaving aside Shari‘ah commandments, there are many other religious matters in which the fifth source is ilham. In fact, it may be said that, after the Quran and Hadith, ilham is the third source. This source will continue to exist till the end of the world.”(ibid., p. 19)
Two more statements of his are: The revelation of saints partakes of the light of prophethood, and is the consequence of the blessings of following the prophets.” (ibid., Part VI, Daftar iii, Letter no. 23, p. 63)
And: “This humble one was lifted up from the dirt of degradation, and a voice called my soul saying: I have forgiven you and those who come to Me through your mediation, whether directly [through you] or indirectly, till the Day of Judgment. And it kept on repeating this, so that no scope remains for doubt.”(Mabd wa Mu‘ad with Urdu translation, p. 17)
It is also said about Shaikh Ahmad that: “Shaikh Ahmad said that one day he prepared food for the Fatiha of his son [i.e. charitable deed following the death of his son]. There was doubt about its Divine acceptance because of the Quranic teaching: ‘God only accepts the deeds of the dutiful.’ Then he had a revelation: ‘Thou art indeed from among the dutiful’.” (Kahl al-Jawahir, p. 14)
And: Before the birth of his youngest son, Shah Muhammad Yahya, he received the revelation: “We give thee good news of a boy, whose name is Yahya.” This is, in fact, verse 19:7 of the Quran. So he named the boy Yahya.(Maqamat Imam Rabbani, published in Delhi, p. 136)
It also states in regards to him:
He related that for a few days he was overcome by a deficiency of good deeds. So when during prayer he reached the words, “Thee do we serve,” he faced a dilemma: if he said these words, he would be guilty under the verse “why do you say that which you do not do”; if he omitted them, he would be guilty of omission. Then he had the revelation: “Shirk [worship of things other than God] has been removed from your worship, and your faith has become pure.”(Kahl al-Jawahir, p. 15)
And Lastly:
He said: “All those who have entered, or are going to enter, into my spiritual order, directly or indirectly, were shown to me, and I was told of the places of their birth and residence. They were all given to me. If I wish, I can describe them all.”(ibid., Life of Shaikh Ahmad by Khawaja Muhammad Baqir of Lahore, p. 5)
Al Baidawi stated: “Just as the devils put bad thoughts into the hearts of disbelievers, so shall We [God] reveal the truth to you [O Muslims] and urge you to do good.” (Commentary of Baidawi, vol. ii, p. 267, published in Delhi)
Fakhar ud Din Razi stated: “The angels project their influence into the souls of men by revelation, and show them their [i.e. angels’] accomplishments by sure visions.”(Tafsir Kabir, vol. vii, p. 370)
Hazrat Shah Wali-Ullahrh of Delhi stated: “The Muslim nation is not deprived of revelation through angels. Do you not know how Mary saw Gabriel as a strong, healthy man, and how the angels called her? Similarly, Hadith records that a believer was going towards a village to visit a fellow. In the way an angel appeared to him and said: I am an apostle of God to you. Hadith also says that if you maintain the same [high] level of faith, angels will greet you while you are lying in your beds.”(Tafhimat, vol. ii, p. 134)
And: “God revealed to me, saying: I will give you the Tariqa [course of teachings for spiritual progress] which shall take man nearer to God than do any of the existing Tariqas, and it shall be more powerful than any of them.”(ibid., vol. i, p. 45)
Khawaja Mir Dard of Delhi has stated that he was revealed verses of the Qur’an in his book Ilm Al Kitab under Tahdees Ni’mat ar Rabb:
“Warn thy near relatives.” (The Quran, 26:215)
“Say: Allah is sufficient for me.” (39:39)
“Be steadfast as thou art commanded, and follow not their low desires.” (42:16)
“Grieve thou not for them, nor be distressed because of what they plan.” (27:71)
“Did He not find thee groping, and guided thee.” (93:8) ( ‘Ilm al-Kitab, pp. 61 – 64.)
Sayyid Muhammad Ismail Shaheed who was a famous martyr of North-West India has written: “Among these matters, one is ilham [revelation], and ilham is that thing which is established from the prophets. It is called wahy. If it is proved from persons other than prophets, it is called tahdees[revelation of a non-prophet]. In the Quran, ilham as such has been called wahy, whether it came to prophets or to saints.” (Mansab-i Imamat, Urdu translation by Muhammad Husain Alwi, published by A’inah Adab, Lahore, 2nd ed., 1969, p. 73)
And:“Those people who consider knowledge to be no more than talk and words, and meaningless nonsense, … if such a man means to say that no person other than the prophets can obtain knowledge of the future from the unseen, I believe that he is denying a teaching of the religion which is established by repeated evidence, i.e. those teachings of the faith which spread into the world because they were abundantly reported [from the Holy Prophet], he is denying one of those.” (Abqaat, Urdu translation by Manazir Ahsan Gilani, published in A.P., India, p. 14.)
Maulvi Abdullah Ghaznavi who was another Indian Saint of the last century also said he received verses in his divine revelation including:
“Send peace and blessings upon him.” (The Quran 33:57)
“And soon thy Lord will give thee so that thou art well pleased.” (93:6)
“Have We not expanded for thee thy bosom.” (94:2)
“Is not God sufficient for His servant.” (39:37)
“He is only a servant upon whom We bestowed favours.” (43:60)
He also received the following revelation
“Thou art from Me and I am from Thee. So fear not nor grieve.” (Biography of Maulavi Abdullah Ghaznavi by Maulavi Abdul Jabbar Ghaznavi, pp. 10 – 11)
A bitter opponent of the True Islam named Maulvi Abdul Jabbar Ghaznavi wrote :“If someone receives a Divine revelation (ilham) which is some verse of the Quran addressed particularly to the Holy Prophet Muhammad, the recipient of this revelation would take it as referring to himself, and would interpret it in the light of his own circumstances and draw a lesson from it. …“So if someone has revealed to him verses specially addressed to the Holy Prophet, for instance: ‘Have We not expanded for thee thy breast’, ‘thy Lord will soon give thee so that thou wilt be pleased’, ‘Allah will suffice thee against them’, ‘be patient and resolute as the messengers were’, ‘hold thyself with those who call upon their Lord morning and evening’, ‘pray to thy Lord and sacrifice’, ‘obey not him whose heart We have made unmindful of Our remembrance, and he follows his low desires’, ‘He found thee groping and guided thee’; the meaning would be that that person would be granted these things to the extent that he deserves, according to his station. And as for the commands and prohibitions [in the revelations], these would apply to him as to the Holy Prophet.” (Asbat al-ilham, pp. 142 – 143)
Allama Khalid Mahmud, another opponent of the true Islam. stated:News of the unseen, visions and revelations are also received by some non-prophets. Saints (auliya) of God are informed of news of the unseen. In fact, Umar [the second Caliph] held the rank of muhaddas, at which station, according to the words of Hadith, God Himself grants the privilege of His communication, without the person reaching the rank of prophet.” (‘Aqidat al-Umma fi ma‘ni khatam an-nubuwwat, published by Idara Hifz-i Muarif-i Islamia, Lahore, 3rd ed., 1965, p. 48, footnote)
Even Sayyid Abul Ala Maudoodi, another anti Ahmadi, wrote:
“You appear surprised at there being two types of revelation. Had you read the Quran you would know that this Book mentions three types of revelation, only one of which types was collected in the Quran: ‘It is not for a mortal that God should speak to him except by inspiration, or from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger who reveals by His permission what He [God] pleases.’ Here three forms are described of God sending commandments and guidance to a man. One is direct revelation, i.e., inspiration into the mind. A second is speech from behind a veil. The third is that revelation is sent through a messenger — an angel. The revelations collected in the Holy Quran are only of the third kind.”(Monthly Tarjuman al-Quran, September 1961, p. 100)
Hazrat Mira Ghulam Ahmadas the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi states beautifully in his poem:
“What a pity! They say that revelation has come to an end;
Now this Ummah will have to depend on old tales to the Day of Judgment.
Surely this belief is against the Word of God;
But who would shed the weight of this age-old yoke?
That God still appoints whomsoever He wishes to be a recipient of revelation (Kalim); He still speaks to whom He loves.
Why do you discard the gem of Divine revelation? Take heed!
For this alone is the source of honour and distinction for the faith.
This is the flower which has no peer in the garden;
This is the fragrance before which the musk of Tataristan pales into insignificance.
This is the key, which opens up the gates of heavens;
This is the mirror, which shows us the countenance of the Beloved.
This is the only weapon which guarantees our victory;
This alone is the fortress, the citadel of security.
In Islam, this alone is the instrument of attaining knowledge of the Divine;
Mere tales cannot help a person out of the raging storm.
Divine revelation alone is the sign of knowing God;
Whoever receives it, also finds the Eternal Friend.
How wonderful is the garden of love! the passage to which lies through the valley of death;
Whose fruit is the communion with the Beloved even though it is surrounded by thorny bushes.”
(Brahine-e-Ahmadiyya, Part V, Ruhani Khazain, Volume 21, Page 137)
In the end revelation will never end. However revelation of Shariah has ended. May Allah Guide all to the True Islam Ameen.