ABSTRACT
Discussion of the possibility of revelation must be preceded by definition of the term and what it is intended to signify. In the sacred law, ‘revelation’ is known as God’s disclosure to one of the prophets by and according to His legislative decree. The message and mission are sealed and the door of prophethood closed, as will appear in our exposition of Muhammad, the peace and blessing of God be upon him. As for the likeness of a voice speaking and the visible shapes of those spirits in the experience of those who have the prophetic vocation, even those who contest the whole thing concede something very like it, in the state of sufferers from certain diseases. The prophetic status is one thing. On a lower level are the men of high soul and intellectual excellence—the inner circle of the knowers who rejoice to be the helpers of the prophets and faithful retainers of their law and message.
