Guidance Readings: By Sending Angelic Emissaries (Ranks of the Divine Seekers)

Ibn Al-Qayyim's Book Readings

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This is the third part in our Chapter 4 walk-through of Ibn al-Qayyim’s Madārij al-Sālikīn - the “Ten Levels of Divine Guidance.” After level one (direct divine speech) and level two (revelation placed directly in a prophet’s heart), this third step describes guidance that reaches prophets through an angel, and it completes the trio of prophet-only forms before the chapter moves to experiences available to non-prophets.

What this level is (in one breath)

Ibn al-Qayyim defines it simply: Allah sends an angelic emissary to the human messenger, and the angel inspires him with what Allah commands. Together with the first two modes, this forms the set of three levels exclusive to prophets.

How the angelic delivery happens (three ways)

Ibn Al-Qayyim then lists three shapes this encounter can take - each one documented in the Prophet’s life. They are mentioned below: