The 7 distinguishing Characteristics of Revelation is that it is:
1- The Criterion used to settle disputes, clarify major issues and answer life’s questions. It also establishes the details of belief and legislation.
Allah said:
{وَمَآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ إِلَّا لِتُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلَّذِي ٱخۡتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ وَهُدٗى وَرَحۡمَةٗ لِّقَوۡمٖ يُؤۡمِنُونَ}
{And We have not revealed to you the Book, [O Muhammad], except for you to make clear to them that wherein they have differed and as guidance and mercy for a people who believe.}
[An-Nahl: 64]
2- The Divine Source, and thus the most authentic source of knowledge. When protected and preserved, it clearly shows and conveys untainted guidance and knowledge. People may, later on, distort the revelation or some of its meanings according to their misunderstandings and misconceptions. But, the revelation source is a pure, untainted, divine source, and not from the messengers, nor any creation, bubt from the Lord of the Messengers, the Lord of all creation.
Allah said:
{قُلۡ مَا كُنتُ بِدۡعٗا مِّنَ ٱلرُّسُلِ وَمَآ أَدۡرِي مَا يُفۡعَلُ بِي وَلَا بِكُمۡۖ إِنۡ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيَّ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ إِلَّا نَذِيرٞ مُّبِينٞ}
{Say, "I am not something original among the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow that which is revealed to me, and I am not but a clear warner."}
[Al-Ahqaf: 9]
3- The Metaphysical Measure- which is used to measure and understand metaphysical facts that are beyond the limited scope of human senses. This includes God’s Divine Actions, Attributes and Characteristics, as well as details of the realms of the unseen, the Day of Judgement and many other related subjects. Revelation guides us to the authentic understanding of these unseen facts, and no other source could rightly achieve this.
Allah said:
{عَٰلِمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ فَلَا يُظۡهِرُ عَلَىٰ غَيۡبِهِۦٓ أَحَدًا ٢٦ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱرۡتَضَىٰ مِن رَّسُولٖ فَإِنَّهُۥ يَسۡلُكُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِ يَدَيۡهِ وَمِنۡ خَلۡفِهِۦ رَصَدٗا}
{[He is] Knower of the unseen, and He does not disclose His [knowledge of the] unseen to anyone (27) Except whom He has approved of messengers, and indeed, He sends before each messenger and behind him observers}
[Al-Jinn: 26-27]
4- Comprehensive Knowledge of necessary facts encompassing facts of God’s Lordship and Divinity, The Universe, the Existence, the Values and the Human beings. However, the variation lies in understanding and dependence on such a source to reach such facts.
5- Firm and Balanced knowledge, originating from God Himself, and thus, not subjected to corruption by the ever changing desires, circumstances and situations of creation. It is from God who perfectly knows His creatures, their abilities and their needs. Throughout human history, the fundamentals of faith have remained constant, and in line with humans’ abilities, always fulfilling their spiritual needs.
Allah said:
{وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٖ رَّسُولًا أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّٰغُوتَۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ حَقَّتۡ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلضَّلَٰلَةُۚ}
{And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allah and avoid Taghut." And among them were those whom Allah guided, and among them were those upon whom error was [deservedly] decreed.}
[An-Nahl: 36]
6- Practical and Positive- providing mankind with practical and subjective knowledge regarding the facts of existence. Allah rebukes those who don't use their abilities, in practical and positive fashion, to realize the facts of faith.
He, the Exalted says:
{وَقَالُواْ لَوۡ كُنَّا نَسۡمَعُ أَوۡ نَعۡقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِيٓ أَصۡحَٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ ١٠ فَٱعۡتَرَفُواْ بِذَنۢبِهِمۡ فَسُحۡقٗا لِّأَصۡحَٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ}
{And they will say, "If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze. And they will admit their sin, so [it is] alienation for the companions of the Blaze.}
[Al-Mulk: 10-11]
7- Selected Messengers and Conveyors- as those ready to receive revelation are a specific selection, chosen by God. They are not chosen by our perceptions of mental or spiritual strength, but rather by a divinely approved criteria. Trusted Messengers, required to convey and clarify revelation to all people in light of the guidance of the revelation sent by God to them.
{لَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا رُسُلَنَا بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ وَأَنزَلۡنَا مَعَهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ ٱلنَّاسُ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۖ}
{We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidence and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice.}
[Al-Hadid: 25].
