Thus, whoever says, “Moses did not hear a voice; rather, its meaning was conveyed to him by inspiration,” has failed to distinguish between Moses and others. Allah Most High says:

“Of those messengers, We favored some over others. Among them were those to whom Allah spoke, and He raised some of them in rank.”

He also 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.”

He thus distinguished between revelation and speaking from behind a veil, as Allah spoke to Moses. Whoever equates the two is astray.

Imam Ahmad—may Allah be pleased with him—and other imams said: “Allah has always spoken whenever He wills.” He speaks by His will and power, saying one thing after another, as the Most High says:

“When he came to it, he was called: ‘O Moses!’”

He called to him when he came to it, and did not call to him before that. The Most High also says:

“When they tasted the tree, their nakedness became apparent to them, and they began covering themselves with leaves from Paradise. Their Lord called to them: ‘Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you that Satan is your clear enemy?’”

He, glorified be He, called to them when they ate from it, and did not call to them before that. Likewise, the Most High says:

“We created you, then fashioned you, then said to the angels: ‘Prostrate before Adam.’”

This was after He had created and fashioned Adam; He had not commanded them before that. Likewise, He says:

“Indeed, the likeness of Jesus in Allah’s sight is that of Adam: He created him from dust, then said to him, ‘Be,’ and he is.”

He thus states that He said to him, “Be,” and he is, after He had created him from dust. There are many such accounts in the Quran: He states that He spoke at a particular time and called at a particular time. It has also