There is, then, no doubt that a thing may constitute a portion of prophethood or of faith while still being among the smallest of its branches—like removing something harmful from the road in the case of faith, or like the vision in the case of prophethood. For this reason the Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) said: “Nothing of prophethood will remain after me except glad tidings,” namely the righteous dream that a virtuous man sees or that is shown to him. It was likewise for this reason that this very portion was the first with which the Messenger of God (may God bless him and grant him peace) was initiated, as a gradual introduction, as is recorded in the Ṣaḥīḥ from ʿĀʾishah (may God be pleased with her):

“The first form of revelation granted to the Messenger of God (may God bless him and grant him peace) was the righteous dream in sleep; he would never see a dream without its coming as clear as the break of dawn. Then solitude was made beloved to him, and he would withdraw to the Cave of Ḥirāʾ, devoting himself there to worship for several nights at a time …” (the ḥadīth continues).