Question: What is the meaning of
{veil} in the verse
{It is not for a human that Allah should speak to him except through inspiration, from behind a veil or by sending a Messenger to reveal, by His permission, whatsoever He wills} (Q. 42:51)? Also, what is the meaning of
{Allah spoke to Moses} (Q. 4:164)?
Answer: The verse
{It is not for a human that Allah should speak to him except through inspiration, from behind a veil or by sending a Messenger to reveal, by His permission, whatsoever He wills} (Q. 42:51) indicates the manner in which Allah speaks to His creation and Prophets specifically. The
{inspiration} that the verse refers to is the suggestions and inclinations in the hearts of Angels and Messengers. Or it can refer to the true dreams of the Prophets. As for the phrase
{behind the veil}, this refers to a speech created by Allah that exists between Him and His slaves without the Messenger being witnessed. Imam Mutawakkil ‘ala Allah Ahmed b. Suleiman, upon him be peace, said in his
Haqaa`iq al-Ma’rifa:
The intended meaning of speech is that which the slave hears without the speaker being witnessed just as Moses, may Allah bless him, heard speech coming from the bush.
By this he means, speech that came from the direction of the bush. The Commander of Believers, Ali b. Abi Taalib, upon him be peace, is reported to have said in
Masaa`il ash-Shakk:
Verily, He created a speech between Him and His Messengers of the sky without any of His creation witnessing the Messengers.
Regarding this
{veil}, Imam al-Qaasim ar-Rassi, upon him be peace, was asked about it. He replied:
The one with intellect does not assume that this veil was some type of covering or curtain. Rather, it is as the Glorified says an inability of sight and vision to perceive Him since He says: {Vision shall not reach Him rather He reaches all vision} (Q. 6:103). This is the covering of the veil. It cannot apply to other than Allah.
This should also make clear the meaning of
{Allah spoke to Moses} (Q. 4:164). Allah created a voice from the tree without there being an Angel as an intermediary. Moses heard it and it came to him as proof and evidence. It is not that Allah spoke from His Essence because that would entail likeness with His creation. Allah is independent of that!
As for the statement
{or by sending a Messenger to reveal}, this refers to the Messengers from the heavens to the Messengers of the Earth as well as the Messengers of the heavens to the Messengers of the heavens by the command of Allah.
And Allah knows best!
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