theQaryah - 1- Revelation

Selected Readings by Topic from

The Authentic Portion of al-Imaam as-Suyootee’s
Short Encyclopedia of Hadeeth Extracts and the Supplement He Added to it

English translation along with brief explanatory notes

1- Revelation{1}

🔊 Notes:

{1} The term “revelation” in this context basically refers to Allaah conveying information and directives from Himself to a Prophet of His. Revelation can also refer to the information and directives themselves. In other words, the term “revelation” can refer to Allaah sending His message to a Prophet, and it can also refer to the actual message itself. This short chapter contains narrations about various circumstances related to the Prophet Muhammad (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) receiving revelation from Allaah. Putting this topic first was done in emulation of al-Imaam al-Bukhaaree (may Allaah have mercy upon him) who similarly began his book commonly referred to as “Saheeh al-Bukhaaree” with the topic of revelation. Scholars have explained that the subject of revelation was put first in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree because the purpose of his hadeeth collection was to compile an authentic selection from the Sunnah, bearing in mind that both the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah are forms of revelation that Allaah sent to the Prophet Muhammad (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection). Revelation was mentioned first as a sort of introduction to all the book’s subsequent topics since revelation is the source of our knowledge about all the beliefs and practices taught by Islaam.

References: Fath al-Baaree, before no. 1.

إِذا تَكَلَّمَ اللهُ بِالوَحْيِ سَمِعَ أهْلُ السَّمَاءِ [لِلسَّمَاءِ] صَلْصَلَةً كَجَرِّ السِّلْسِلَةِ عَلَى الصَّفَا، فَيُصْعَقُونَ فَلَا يَزَالُونَ كَذَلِكَ حَتَّى يَأتِيَهُمْ جِبْرِيلُ، حَتَّى إِذَا جَاءَهُمْ جِبْرِيلُ فُزِّعَ عَنْ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَيَقُولُونَ: يَا جِبْرِيلُ مَاذَا قَالَ رَبُّكَ؟ فَيَقُولُ: الْحَقَّ. فَيَقُولُونَ: الْحقَّ الْحَقَّ.

[1.00-(01)] “When Allaah speaks His revelation{1}, the inhabitants of the heavens hear the heavens make a strong ringing sound like a chain being dragged over a bare rock. They fall unconscious{2} and remain that way until Jibreel comes to them{3}. When Jibreel comes, fear is removed from their hearts and they ask, ‘Jibreel, what did your Lord say?’ Jibreel replies, ‘What He said is the truth.’ The angels then also say, ‘What He said is the truth. What He said is the truth’.”

🔊 Notes:

{1} Any portion of Allaah’s revelation that He chooses to speak – including the Qur’aan – is His actual speech. That speech is real and it is not like the speech of any created being. Allaah’s speech is one of His attributes and it is not created.

{2} The angels falling unconscious happens as a result of their utmost reverential fear of Allaah although they are among the largest and strongest of Allaah’s creatures, and they obey Allaah and comply with all His directives.

{3} Jibreel comes to them with the revelation that Allaah spoke.

References: Tafseer ibn Katheer 5/234; ‘Awn al-Ma‘bood, no. 4738; Sharh Kitaab at-Tawheed min Saheeh al-Bukhaaree 2/305; Tathkiratul-Mu’tasee, p. 231; Saheeh al-Jaami‘, no. 436; Siraaj, no. 1.

إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ جِبْرِيلُ، مَا رَأَيْتُهُ فِي الصُّورَةِ الَّتِي خُلِقَ فِيهَا غَيْرَ هَاتَيْنِ الْمَرَّتَيْنِ، رَأيْتُهُ مُنْهَبِطًا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ سَادًّا عِظَمُ خَلْقِهِ مَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ والأَرْضِ.

[1.00-(02)] “That was most certainly Jibreel{1}. I did not see him in his original form except on these two occasions{2}. I saw him descend from the heavens and the sheer size of his form filled what was between the sky and the ground.”{3}

🔊 Notes:

{1} “That was most certainly Jibreel” explains who “him” refers to in the passage of Soorah at-Takweer that says: (([The Prophet] certainly saw him on the clear horizon)) [(81):23], as well as in the passage of Soorah an-Najm that says: (([The Prophet] certainly saw him on another occasion)) [(53):13].

{2} The first occasion, in the aforementioned passage from Soorah at-Takweer, was while the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) was in Makkah and he saw Jibreel on the clear Eastern horizon. The second occasion, in the aforementioned passage from Soorah an-Najm, was on the night when the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) was taken up through the heavens and he saw Jibreel near sidratul-muntahaa (the immense lote tree above the seventh heaven).

{3} The instance mentioned in this hadeeth was the first occasion.

References: Tuhfatul-Ahwathee, no. 3068; al-Bahr al-Muheet ath-Thajjaaj 5/35; Saheeh al-Jaami‘, no. 2362; Siraaj, no. 2.

فَتَرَ الوَحْيُ عَنِّي فَتْرَةً، فَبَيْنَا أَنَا أَمْشِي سَمِعْتُ صَوْتًا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَرَفَعْتُ بَصَرِي قِبَلَ السَّمَاءِ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِالمَلَكِ الَّذُي أَتَانِي فِي غَارِ حِرَاءٍ، عَلَى سَرِيرٍ بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ، فَجُئِثْتُ مِنْهُ فَرَقًا حتَّى هَوَيْتُ إلِى الْأَرْضِ، فَأَتَيْتُ خَدِيجَةَ فَقُلْتُ: دَثِّرُونِي دَثِّرُونِي. فَدُثِّرْتُ، فَجَاءَ جِبْرِيلُ فقال: ((يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ، قُمْ فَأَنْذِرْ، وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّرْ، وَثِيَابَكَ فَطَهِّرْ، وَالرُّجْزَ فَاهْجُرْ)).

[1.00-(03)] “Revelation paused for a time and, during that period, I was once walking and I heard a sound from the sky. I looked up towards the sky and I saw the angel{1} who had come to me in the cave of Hiraa’. He was seated on a throne between the sky and the ground. I became very afraid of him, to the extent that I fell to the ground. I then returned home to Khadeejah and said, ‘Wrap me up, wrap me up’, and I was then wrapped. Jibreel then came and conveyed the statement of Allaah, ((You, the one wrapped up: arise and warn the people{2}, proclaim your Lord’s greatness{3}, purify your garments{4}, and keep away from idols)).”{5} [74:1-5].

🔊 Notes:

{1} The angel referred to here is Jibreel.

{2} The directive to “warn the people” entailed warning the residents of Makkah against impending punishment if they did not accept Islaam by submitting to Allaah inwardly and outwardly, devoting all worship to Allaah, and accepting Allaah’s Messenger.

{3} Allaah’s greatness entails that He is greater than all else, all blessings come from Him alone, and none deserves worship besides Him.

{4} The purification of garments has been explained as including maintaining the purity of clothing, actions, heart, soul, body, family, conduct, and religious practice.

{5} After this incident, revelation descended frequently to Allaah’s Messenger and it continued coming to him (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection).

References: Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, no. 4926; al-Bahr al-Muheet ath-Thajjaaj 4/418-432; Saheeh al-Jaami‘, no. 4193; Siraaj, no. 3.

كَانَ إِذَا أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ الْوَحْيُ نَكَسَ رَأْسَهُ وَنَكَسَ أَصْحَابُهُ رُؤُوسَهُمْ، فَإِذَا أَقْلَعَ عَنْهُ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ.

[1.00-(04)] When revelation was sent down to the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), he would lower his head{1} and his Companions would also lower their heads{2}. When it was over, he raised his head{3}.

🔊 Notes:

{1} He lowered his head due to how strenuous it was to receive revelation.

{2} They lowered their heads due to the awe and reverence they felt about what was taking place.

{3} He raised his head afterwards since the intensity that was felt with the coming of revelation had stopped.

References: al-Kawkab al-Wahhaaj 23/175, al-Bahr al-Muheet ath-Thajjaaj 37/577; Saheeh al-Jaami‘, no. 4686; Siraaj, no. 4.

أَحْيَانًا يَأْتِينِي - يَعْنِي الوَحْيَ - فِي مِثْلِ صَلْصَلَةِ الجَرَسِ وَهُوَ أشَدُّهُ عَلَيَّ، فَيُفْصَمُ عَنِّي وَقَدْ وَعَيْتُ مَا قَالَ. وَأَحْيَانًا يَتَمَثَّلُ لِيَ الْمَلَكُ رَجُلًا فَيُكَلِّمُنِي فَأَعِي مَا يَقُولُ، [وَهُوَ أَهْوَنُهُ عَلَيَّ].

[1.00-(05)] “There are times when revelation comes to me like the strong ringing sound of a bell{1}, and this is the mode of revelation that is the most difficult for me to bear{2}. Then, by the time that state is over, I would have retained all that the angel said{3}. There are also times when the angel comes to me in the form of a man{4}, speaks to me, and I retain what he says; [and this is the mode of revelation that is easiest for me to bear].”

🔊 Notes:

{1} A comparison was made here with a sound the people were familiar with that was both loud and reverberating. When a sound like this comes, it fills a person’s hearing such that there would be no room to hear anything besides it.

{2} The mode of revelation mentioned being the most difficult mode to bear implies that all the modes of revelation were strenuous for the Prophet in varying degrees (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), but this mode was the most strenuous one out of them all. Speech that has a strong ringing sound would be more difficult to bear and receive than normal human speech.

{3} The angel referred to is Jibreel.

{4} By Allaah’s permission, angels have the ability to assume the form of humans. Once again, the angel being referred to here is Jibreel.

References: Fath al-Baaree 1/50 (Daar Taybah); Saheeh al-Jaami‘, no. 213; Siraaj, no. 5.

كَانَ إِذَا أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ الْوَحْيُ كُرِبَ لِذَلِكَ وَتَرَبَّدَ وَجْهُهُ.

[1.00-(06)] When revelation would descend to the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), he would experience strain due to that{1} and the colour of his face would change.{2}

🔊 Notes:

{1} The strain experienced could have been due to factors such as the effort expended to memorize the revelation being received, the magnitude of the directives being revealed to him which he had to convey, or the apprehension that some of his followers might not comply with the directives he would convey to them. And Allaah knows best.

{2} The colour of his face changing happened at times other than when the angel would come to him in the form of a human.

References: at-Tanweer 8/350; Saheeh al-Jaami‘, no. 4685; Siraaj, no. 6.

كَانَ إِذَا نَزَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْوَحْيُ ثَقُلَ لِذَلِكَ، وَتَحَدَّرَ جَبِينُهُ عَرَقًا كَأَنَّهُ جُمَانٌ، وَإِنْ كَانَ فِي الْبَرْدِ.

[1.00-(07)] When revelation would come down to the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), his body became heavy as a result and drops of sweat would flow down the ends of his forehead as though they were pearls, even when it was cold.{1}

🔊 Notes:

{1} This occurred as a result of how intense and strenuous it was to receive the revelation that descended to him from the heavens, and as a clear indication that what was happening to him during such circumstances was due to something beyond normal human nature and experience. Some scholars have also explained that the sweat flowing down may have been due to the effort expended to memorize the revelation, and also due to the fear of falling short regarding any of the duties he was instructed to fulfil, and Allaah knows best.

References: at-Tanweer 8/452, Fath al-Baaree 1/52 (Daar Taybah); Saheeh al-Jaami‘, no. 4792; Siraaj, no. 7.

إِنَّ جِبْرِيلَ كَانَ يُعارِضُنِي الْقُرْآنَ كُلَّ سَنَةٍ مَرَّةً وَإِنَّهُ عَارَضَنِي الْعَامَ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَلَا أُرَاهُ إِلَّا حَضَرَ أَجَلِي، وَإِنَّكِ أَوَّلُ أهْلِ بَيْتِي لَحَاقًا بِي، فَاتَّقِي اللهَ وَاصْبِرِي فَإِنَّهُ نِعْمَ السَّلَفُ أَنَا لَكِ.

[1.01-(08)] “Jibreel certainly used to review{1} the Qur’aan with me every year once{2}, and he indeed reviewed it with me this year twice. I do not think that means anything besides my death being near{3}. You{4} will indeed be the first of my household to join me; therefore, you must continue to observe taqwaa of Allaah{5} and persevere{6}, as I will certainly be an outstanding predecessor for you{7}.”

🔊 Notes:

{1} Reviewing the Qur’aan here refers to the angel Jibreel reciting the Qur’aan to the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), as well as the Prophet reciting it back to Jibreel.

{2} The portion of the Qur’aan referred to here is the amount of it that Allaah had sent down until each time the review took place. Another authentic hadeeth mentions that this review of the Qur’aan would take place during Ramadaan, and that has been explained as referring to each Ramadaan from the second year of Prophethood until the tenth year after Hijrah.

{3} The additional review of the Qur’aan that took place that year was different from the previous norm of reviewing once per year. That difference is what may have led the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) to expect that his death was approaching. Furthermore, towards the end of the Prophet’s life, revelation came very frequently until Allaah completed sending all of the revelation that He willed to convey to His Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection).

{4} The Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said this addressing his daughter, Faatimah (may Allaah be pleased with her).

{5} Taqwaa of Allaah refers to protecting oneself from Allaah’s punishment by fulfilling His commands and avoiding His prohibitions.

{6} The perseverance mentioned had to do with facing the difficulty of losing the Prophet and bearing his absence (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection).

{7} The Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) would be Faatimah’s predecessor in the sense that he would precede her to the hereafter and she would eventually find him there.

References: Fath al-Baaree, before no. 4997 until end of 4998; al-Kawkab al-Wahhaaj 23/605; al-Bahr al-Muheet ath-Thajjaaj 39/200; Saheeh al-Jaami‘, no. 2054; Siraaj, no. 4669.

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