the general kind of speaking of which He says:

“It is not for any human being that Allah should speak to him except by revelation, or from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger who reveals, by His permission, whatever He wills.”

For in this verse He encompasses all the degrees of speaking, as the early generations explained. We have received a report in al-Ibānah by Abū Nasr al-Sijzī, in the book of al-Bayhaqī, and in other works, from Uqbah, who said: Ibn Shihāb was asked about this verse:

“It is not for any human being that Allah should speak to him except by revelation, or from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger who reveals, by His permission, whatever He wills. Indeed, He is Most High, All-Wise.”

Ibn Shihāb said: “This verse was revealed to encompass all human beings to whom Allah has given revelation. The speech with which Allah addressed Moses was from behind a veil. Revelation is what Allah communicates to one of His prophets—peace be upon them—so that whatever He, Mighty and Majestic, wills of His revelation may be firmly established in the prophet’s heart and written down. It is Allah’s speech and His revelation. Some of it is between Allah and His messengers. Some of it the prophets convey verbally without writing it down for anyone or commanding that it be written. Rather, they relate it to people and explain it to them, because Allah has commanded them to explain it to people and convey it to them. Some revelation Allah sends through whomever He wills from among His chosen angels, who speak it to His prophets among humankind. Some revelation Allah sends through whomever He wills among the angels, so that it is imparted by revelation into the heart of whomever He wills among His messengers.”

I say: The first is revelation, which is swift, hidden communication: either while awake