Encyclopedia.com > Dictionaries, Thesauruses, Pictures, and Press Releases > The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions > January 1997

Waḥy

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | 700+ words | Copyright

Waḥy (Arab., ‘to suggest, put something in someone's mind’). The idea of ‘revelation’ in Islam. The term waḥy is used especially for the giving of the Qurʾān, itself described as a ‘revelation revealed’ (waḥy yūḥā, 53. 4). Waḥy refers also to revelation given to former prophets, as to Moses (20. 13), and is indirect, for humans cannot see Allāh (42. 50). The ḥadīth give details as to the manner of revelation, and the way in which Muḥammad himself was affected physically by the force of the message he received.

The more common term for the giving of the Qurʾān is ‘sending down’, from the verbal root n-z-l, hence nazzala anzala, ‘cause to descend’.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

JOHN BOWKER. "Waḥy." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Waḥy." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Way.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Waḥy." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Way.html

Learn more about citation styles

Find thousands of answers for hundreds of subjects at Answers Encyclopedia .

All answers verified by trusted sources at Encyclopedia.com

Try Answers Encyclopedia now!

For students and teachers!

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including: