The divine message that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ received from Allah through the angel Jibrīl (Gabriel) is called waḥy. The word can be translated as “divine message,” “divine communication,” or “revelation.” In its broadest sense, it means the act of conveying a message indirectly. In the Qur’anic sense, however, waḥy refers to the special method by which the Lord of the universe communicates His will to the messengers He appoints.

Allah speaks to His messengers in different ways. Technically, the forms of revelation can be described as follows:

1. Dreams: Messages are sometimes given through dreams. For example, Prophet Ibrāhīm received the divine command to sacrifice his son Ismā‘īl in a dream. Likewise, the dreams that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ saw before revelation began would come to pass as clearly as daylight.
2. Inspiration in the heart: Allah may send a message through an angel, depositing it directly into the prophet’s heart or consciousness. In such cases, the angel may not appear outwardly. Hadith collections preserve expressions like: “The Holy Spirit has placed in my heart…”
3. Direct encounter with the angel in audible form: The angel may appear in his own form, transmitting revelation accompanied at times by a sound like the ringing of a bell. The Prophet ﷺ himself said that this was the heaviest and most intense form of revelation.
4. The angel in human form: Jibrīl would sometimes appear in the likeness of a man to deliver God’s message. The most comprehensive hadith on the fundamentals of faith — known as the Hadīth Jibrīl — occurred when the angel appeared in human form and questioned the Prophet ﷺ in front of his companions.
5. The angel in his true form: On rare occasions, Jibrīl appeared to the Prophet ﷺ in his original, heavenly form. Islamic sources state that Muhammad ﷺ was the only prophet to behold Jibrīl in his full angelic form.
6. Allah speaking directly, from behind a veil: Sometimes Allah addressed His prophets without any intermediary, though from behind a veil. This was the form in which Allah spoke to Moses.
7. Allah speaking directly without veil or intermediary: On the night of the Mi‘rāj (the Ascension), the Prophet ﷺ received revelation directly from Allah without barrier, veil, or intermediary. Muhammad ﷺ alone was granted this encounter — beholding Allah, who is beyond form, shape, or likeness.
8. Revelation in a unique dream-state beyond ordinary dreams: This is distinct from regular visions. A famous hadith transmitted by Imām Aḥmad describes such an experience.
9. Revelation experienced as a humming sound like the buzzing of bees: Companion reports mention that at times the Prophet ﷺ received revelation in this form. ‘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb described such an experience, which Imām Aḥmad also recorded.

The sole source of the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ knowledge and teaching was waḥy. He never spoke from personal whim or invention. The Qur’an itself declares:

“Nor does he speak from his own desire. It is nothing but revelation sent down to him.” (Qur’an 53:3–4) Thus, all of the Prophet’s guidance, his words, and his message flow from the stream of divine revelation.

Explanatory Notes

1. Waḥy (Revelation): In Islamic thought, this is the exclusive channel by which prophets receive divine communication, whether through angels, dreams, or direct encounter with God.
2. Hadīth Jibrīl: A foundational narration where Jibrīl, in the form of a man, questioned the Prophet ﷺ before his companions about Islam, faith, excellence (ihsān), and the signs of the Last Hour. It is considered the summary of the religion.
3. Mi‘rāj (Night Ascension): The miraculous journey of the Prophet ﷺ through the heavens, during which he received, directly from Allah, the command of the five daily prayers.
4. “Buzzing of bees”: This expression appears in hadith sources, describing the mysterious auditory experience that accompanied some forms of revelation.
5. Source of Prophetic knowledge: Muslims believe that the Prophet ﷺ did not speak from his own opinion in matters of guidance; rather, everything he taught was divinely inspired.