Comparative Shiʿi Theology

The Significance of Revelation in the Qur'an and the Testaments, and critique the theory of dreams

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Ali Karbalaie Pazoukiei 1
Ali Basirat 2
Saleh Hasanzadeh 3
Hesammoddin Khalatbari lemaki 4

1 Associate Professor, Department of Islamic knowledge, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

2 Doctoral student of the Department of Islamic Education, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran. ali.basirat.28@gmail.com

3 Professor of the Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Theology, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran hasanzadeh@atu.ac.ir

4 Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran.khalat.hesam@gmail.com

https://doi.org/10.22054/jcst.2025.83318.1198
Abstract
1-Introduction
Revelation, serving as the foundation for the formation of  Holy books, including the Quran and the two Testaments (Torah and Gospel), plays a fundamental role in the structure of divine religions. This concept, representing the direct communication of God with the prophets, underpins religious teachings and commands that have influenced various societies throughout history.In contemporary times, some intellectuals and religious scholars, considering the new challenges that have arisen in the face of scientific and philosophical phenomena of humanity, have reinterpreted and redefined religious concepts, including revelation. These studies have been mainly conducted with epistemological and hermeneutical approaches and have attempted to examine the nature of revelation, its relationship with God, and the role of the prophet in receiving and transmitting this divine message.
One of the theories proposed in this field is the theory of "visionary revelation." According to this theory, revelation is interpreted not as a direct, verbal communication between God and the prophet, but as a kind of dream or vision. Proponents of this theory believe that the Quran and other sacred texts are the result of the prophetic visions of the prophets, and these books are more of a dream interpretation than a direct interpretation of the divine will.
In other words, the Quran and other sacred texts are seen as a conduit for the transmission of the prophets' visions and not as texts that require interpretation. This view, in a way, attempts to place the nature of revelation within the framework of the prophets' personal experiences and remove it from the realm of direct communication with God.
2-Research Proposal
Although numerous studies have been conducted on similar and closely related topics, if you look closely at the subject of this research, you will notice that less attention has been paid to this specific topic. This lack of studies indicates the need for more research in this area.
3-Research Objective
This research aims to examine and critique the theory of visionary revelation based on the evidence available in the two testaments (Torah and Gospel).
4-Research Method
The present research, using a descriptive-analytical method and utilizing library resources, tries to show that the revelational communication of the prophets in the two testaments was not in the form of dreams. Based on the findings of this research, there is numerous evidence in the two testaments that contradicts the foundations and requirements of the theory of visionary revelation. This evidence shows that revelation in the two testaments is defined as direct linguistic communication between God and the prophets and not as a dream experience.
In the Old Testament (Torah), revelation is described as a direct linguistic process. Prophets like Moses (‘a) spoke directly to God and received divine messages. These messages are clearly stated, and there is no sign of ambiguity or the need for dream interpretation.
In addition, in the New Testament (the Gospel), Jesus Christ (‘a) is also introduced as someone who directly receives and transmits divine messages. In none of these cases is the revelation interpreted as a dream.
It should be noted that this study does not enter into the discussion of the validity or authenticity of the current Gospel and Torah because its purpose is to examine the evidence available in these texts to refute the theory of dream revelation. Even if we assume that the current texts of the two Testaments have changed, the evidence that shows that the prophets' communication with God was not in the form of dreams and visions is still sufficient to refute this theory.
This study shows that the theory of dream-revelation contradicts the definition and nature of revelation in the two Testaments. According to the Old Testament, the main characteristic of the prophets is to receive revelation directly and verbally, and this revelation has a clear verbal nature. Therefore, the claim that the Quran and other holy books are the result of apostolic visions is not consistent with the evidence available in the two testaments. This theory introduces not only the Quran but also the Torah and the Gospel as apostolic visions of Moses and Jesus (‘a) and considers the revelation of all prophets as a kind of influence from their dreams. This is while the evidence available in the two testaments rejects this claim and shows that revelation is direct and verbal communication between God and the prophets.
5-Final Results
Finally, this research concludes that the dream-based theory of revelation is incompatible with the definition and nature of revelation in the two testaments and cannot be proposed as a valid theory in religious studies. This theory not only distorts the nature of revelation but also questions the role of prophets as direct recipients and transmitters of the divine message. Therefore, to correctly understand the nature of revelation and its role in the formation of divine religions, one must pay attention to the definitions and evidence found in the sacred texts, including the Two Testaments and, most importantly, the Quran, and avoid incorrect and illogical interpretations.

Keywords

Revelation
Visionary
Two Testaments
Torah
Gospel
 
Al- Rabat,Abdullah, (2021), Ali Ibn Al-Husayn,A Critical Biography ,Las Vegas ,Publication Kindle Direct Publishing.
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Comparative Shiʿi Theology
Volume 5, Issue 9
September 2024
Pages 105-132

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