Manifestations of Revelation and the Difference Between the Quran and the Prophet's ﷺ Speech: A Definitive Proof of Prophethood

Introduction

In our journey to uncover the proofs of prophethood, this article delves into another extraordinary aspect that establishes the truthfulness of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Previously, we discussed the prophecies of earlier prophets about him, his noble character, and his pure conduct before prophethood, which served as powerful evidence of his honesty and trustworthiness. But what about the unique manifestations accompanying the revelation? Those awe-inspiring moments that connected the heavens and the earth when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ received the divine message.

In this article, we will explore the profound manifestations that accompanied the revelation and the stark distinction between the Quran and the Prophet's ﷺ own speech. These elements form yet another layer of evidence supporting his prophethood. It is an invitation to reflect and ponder, offering a fresh proof that this noble prophet was indeed sent by God to guide humanity with light and wisdom.

The Physical and Psychological Manifestations Accompanying Revelation

When discussing the phenomenon of revelation experienced by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, one may ask: what were these manifestations? And what happened during those awe-inspiring moments of divine connection? The authentic ḥadīth s describe several extraordinary manifestations, including:

First Hearing a Sound Like the Buzzing of Bees

One prominent manifestation during the revelation was the sound resembling the buzzing of bees near the Prophet's ﷺ face [Tirmidhi: 3173]. Imagine being in a setting where such an unfamiliar sound is perceived by those present, emanating without any apparent source. This sound cannot be explained by natural or environmental phenomena, pointing instead to an extraordinary event, underscoring that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was experiencing something beyond the ordinary.

Second Profuse Sweating on Cold Days

The Prophet ﷺ would sweat profusely during revelation, even on the coldest of days [Bukhārī: 2, Muslim: 2333]. This phenomenon of sweating in contradiction to environmental conditions suggests immense physical and psychological strain during the receipt of the revelation. Picture someone in freezing weather suddenly perspiring heavily—it is not a natural occurrence but a clear sign of the weight of the divine experience.

Third Physical Heaviness

During the descent of revelation, the Prophet’s ﷺ body would become unusually heavy, so much so that those seated next to him could sense the increased weight, and at times, his mount would kneel due to the load [Bukhārī: 2677]. This extraordinary heaviness reflects the intensity of the revelation’s impact, which could not have been feigned. Imagine sitting beside someone whose body suddenly feels significantly heavier, or witnessing an animal unable to bear the weight. This unusual occurrence highlights the magnitude of the divine communication the Prophet ﷺ was receiving.Bottom of Form

Fourth The Snorting Sound Like That of a Camel

One of the manifestations accompanying the descent of revelation was that the Prophet ﷺ would emit a sound resembling the snorting of a camel, similar to the bubbling sound of boiling water [Bukhārī: 1536]. This sound reflected an extraordinary state the Prophet ﷺ was undergoing during the reception of revelation. Imagine hearing an unusual sound akin to bubbling water coming from someone at a specific moment. This underscores that a supernatural influence was at play, making this manifestation a strong proof of the authenticity of the Prophet’s ﷺ revelation.

Fifth Distress and Discomfort

During the descent of revelation, the Prophet ﷺ would experience intense distress, and his face would redden, reflecting the psychological and spiritual weight he bore [Muslim: 1690]. This distress and discomfort highlight the gravity and magnificence of the event, which cannot be attributed to mere performance. Picture someone whose face turns red, visibly burdened by a profound event—it is clear that this is no mere act but evidence of the enormity of the message the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was receiving.However, once the verses ceased descending, the distress would dissipate, and the Prophet ﷺ would begin reciting the Quran to his companions. This raises an important question: how did the Quran compare to his ordinary speech?

The Difference Between the Prophet’s Ordinary Speech and the Quran

After the revelation, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would recite verses of the Quran, which were entirely distinct in style and structure from his ordinary speech. This profound difference between the Quran and the Prophet’s ﷺ regular discourse is one of the most evident facts that no rational person could confuse the two. The distinction between the words of God and the words of the Prophet ﷺ is clear and undeniable. Many orientalists and critics who have studied the language and texts of the Quran have testified to this distinction.

The orientalist and Quran translator A. J. Arberry, though not a Muslim, acknowledged this reality: "We know well how Muhammad spoke in his daily life and his ordinary humor, as much of his everyday speech has been preserved... Accepting the authenticity of most of Muhammad's recorded sayings from traditional sources—and we have strong reasons to do so—it is accurate to say that it is hard to find another case where the rhetorical expression of a person differs so fundamentally from his ordinary speech.[56]"

A. J. Arberry highlights the stark difference between the Quranic rhetorical style and the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ ordinary speech. He notes that the Prophet spoke in a certain way in his daily life, and his words were widely recorded and transmitted. Yet, the Quran stands out with a miraculous and unparalleled rhetorical style, fundamentally distinct from his daily speech.

Arberry further emphasizes that this clear disparity makes it implausible to claim that the Quran is merely a product of the Prophet’s ﷺ mind. He asserts that there is no parallel instance where such a significant difference exists between an individual's regular speech and their literary works. Thus, this distinction strongly supports the idea that the Quran is not authored by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ but is instead divine revelation.

A comparative study between Quranic vocabulary and the vocabulary of ḥadīth in "Sahih al-Bukhārī" revealed promising results supporting this notion. The study found that 62% of the words in the ḥadīth are absent from the Quranic lexicon, while 83% of Quranic words do not appear in the lexicon of ḥadīth words[57]. These results demonstrate a substantial linguistic and structural difference between the two texts, affirming that the Quran was not authored by the Prophet ﷺ but was a supernatural revelation.

Conclusion

The manifestations accompanying the descent of revelation and the fundamental difference between the Quran and the Prophet’s ﷺ ordinary speech form a compelling proof of the truth of Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ prophethood. The physical and psychological manifestations experienced during revelation cannot be explained by natural or fabricated interactions. They highlight the grandeur and magnificence of the event. Furthermore, the significant disparity between the Quranic text and the ḥadīth underscores the divine origin of the Quran.

These facts make it clear to any truth-seeker that the message of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is genuine. The Quran, with its miraculous eloquence, linguistic uniqueness, and legislative depth, along with the manifestations of revelation, collectively establish that Muhammad ﷺ is truly the Messenger of God. Reflecting on these matters with fairness and reason leads to belief in the message of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and strengthens the evidence proving his prophethood.