Page:Thomas Patrick Hughes - Notes on Muhammadanism - 2ed. (1877).djvu/69

 48 him. (2) Ishárat-ul-Malak, that which was received from Gabriel, but not by word of mouth, as when the Prophet said, "The Holy Ghost has breathed into my heart." (3) Ilhám, or Wáhí Qalb, that which was made known to the Prophet by the light of prophecy. This kind of inspiration is possessed by Walis or saints, but in their case it may be true or false. Wáhí Bátin is that which the Prophet obtained by analogical reasoning (qiás) just as the enlightened doctors, or Mujtahidín, obtain it."

The Ishárat-ul-Malak, mentioned in the above quotation is never used for the inspiration of the Qurán, but for certain instructions which Muhammad professes to have received direct from Gabriel, and which are recorded in the Hadís, or Traditions.

Whatever may have been the actual impression upon Muhammad's mind as to the nature of the communications he professed to have received from God, it is evident that Muslim theologians have no conception of the Word of God being given in the form of the Old and New Testament Scriptures. The most plausible objection raised against the New Tes-