Linguistically, the Arabic word “(وحي) wahy,” contains 3 qualities; informative, swift, and invisible.
Al-Azhary wrote: “In Arabic, the origin of the word وحي denotes invisible notification.
Thus, ”it is not restricted to the prophets, nor as only being from God.” [1]
5 linguistic examples of how it is used in the Quran are:
1. Instinctive inspiration- given to animals, like that which is given by God to the bees, as mentioned in the following verse:
{وَأَوۡحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلنَّحۡلِ أَنِ ٱتَّخِذِي مِنَ ٱلۡجِبَالِ بُيُوتٗا}
{And your Lord inspired the bees [saying] 'make your habitations in the mountains.}
[Al-Nahl: 68).
3. The insinuation of the devil, and the evil he portrays to be fair- seeming in the minds of his confederates. Allah –The Almighty- says:
{وَإِنَّ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلَىٰٓ أَوۡلِيَآئِهِمۡ لِيُجَٰدِلُوكُمۡۖ}
{And certainly the devils inspire their associates to dispute with you} [Al- ‘An’am 121]
5. Orders/instructions which God reveals to the angels. Allah says:
{إِذۡ يُوحِي رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ أَنِّي مَعَكُمۡ فَثَبِّتُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْۚ}
{[Remember] when your Lord revealed to the angels that 'I am indeed with you, so keep firm those who have believed'}
[Al-‘Anfal: 12] [2]
As for Arabic and Islamic Literature, the term وحي denotes:
“Allah's communication to His Prophets regarding whatever He wills of His laws or Scriptures, either directly or through an intermediary.” [3]
Also, revelation is the means and relation between God and His Messengers and Prophets, through which He conveyed to them knowledge, wisdom, obligations, prohibitions and guidance...etc. [4]
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1. Group of Scholars. (n.d.). Foundations of faith in light of the Qur’an and Sunnah. KSA: King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex. P 123.
2. Ibid. Page 123.
3. Ibid. Page 124
4. Ayyub, H. M. (1983). Tabseet Al-Aqa’ed Al-Islamiyyah (Simplifying Islamic Creed) (Fifth Edition ed.). Beirut: Dar An-Nadwah Al-Jadidah. Page 171.
