or in sleep, for the dreams of prophets are revelation, and the dreams of believers are one of the forty-six parts of prophethood, as is authentically reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in the authentic hadith collections. Ubādah ibn al-Sāmit said—and this is also narrated as a statement traced back to the Prophet:

“The believer’s dream is speech by which the Lord addresses His servant in sleep.”

The same applies “while awake.” It is authentically reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, that he said:

“Among the nations before you were men who received inspiration. If there is any such man in my nation, it is Umar.”

Another version in the authentic collection reads, “men who were spoken to.” Allah Most High says:

“And when I inspired the disciples to believe in Me and My Messenger.”

And He Most High says:

“And We inspired the mother of Moses: ‘Nurse him.’”

Indeed, He Most High also says:

“And He ordained in each heaven its command.”

And He Most High says:

“And your Lord inspired the bee.”

Thus, this kind of revelation may come to those who are not prophets, whether awake or asleep. It may take the form of a voice calling, with the sound occurring within the person rather than outside him, whether awake or asleep, just as the light he sees may also be within him.

This “degree” of revelation, which occurs within a person without his hearing an angel’s voice, occupies the lowest and last rank, though it is the first for someone advancing along the path. It is the degree grasped by the metaphysicians among the philosophers of Islam who combine elements of Islam with religious deviation. They believed in some of the attributes of the prophets and messengers—attributes shared by them and others—but disbelieved in others. Thus you find some