There was a discussion on divine revelation in that on certain occasions, it poses great difficulty. On this, the Promised Messiah (as) stated: “Certain people are unable to distinguish divine revelation from self-inspiration and satanic inspiration, and then fall into deception. That which comes from God is magnificent and exquisite; it is something which penetrates the heart. It is something which issues forth from the fingers of God and nothing can possess the same weight. It is something which pierces the heart like an iron stake. In this respect, the Holy Quran states:
اِنَّا سَنُلْقِيْ عَلَيْكَ قَوْلًا ثَقِيْلًا1
Verily, We are charging thee with a weighty Word.
The meaning of thaqil (weighty) in this verse alludes to this very aspect. However, satanic inspiration and self-inspired thoughts are not the same. Self-inspired thoughts and Satan are, as it were, one and the same thing. There are two forces that exert an influence on man: the angels and Satan. It is as though there are two ropes that are tied to both of his legs. An angel will encourage and support one to do good, as stated in the Holy Quran:
اَيَّدَهُمْ بِرُوْحٍ مِّنْهُ2
He has strengthened them with inspiration from Himself.
And on the other hand, Satan incites one to commit evil, as stated in the Holy Quran:
يُوَسْوِسُ3
He whispers (into the hearts of men).
No one can deny these two phenomena. Man is bound by darkness and light. The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Aside from this world, there are countless wonders even if they are unknown. Allah the Exalted states:
قُلْ اَعُوْذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ
Say, ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind.
The evil suggestions of Satan which are referred to in this verse are those which are being planted into the hearts of people these days. The greatest satanic whispering in this day and age is for deformed notions to take root in the minds of people regarding the providence of God. For example, someone may look at the wealth and riches of the affluent and say that these people are the ones who provide for us.
This is why Allah the Exalted has instructed us to first seek the refuge of the true Lord of mankind (rabb-un-nas). Then, the people will give worldly kings and rulers the status of an omnipotent authority. In this regard, God Almighty states that Allah is the King of mankind (malik-in-nas). Then, the outcome of these evil whisperings is that people begin to give God’s creatures the rank of God Himself, and then they fear them or put their hopes in them. This is why Allah Almighty states that He is the God of mankind (ila-hin-nas). These are three forms of evil incitement, and in this instance, Allah the Exalted has provided these three charms, as it were. The one who is responsible for this evil prompting is none other than the sneaking whisperer (khannas) whose name in Hebrew, as it appears in the Torah, is Naahaash, the same one who came to Eve in the form of a hidden attacker. The chapter under discussion refers to the same being. This also demonstrates that even the Antichrist will not force people into evil, but will secretly wage its onslaughts, so that they remain secret from the people in the manner that the Christian priests make their attacks. It is wrong to hold that Satan openly went to Eve; rather, he approached her stealthily, just as he does now. Satan will instil a thought in someone’s mind and then work through the agency of that human being. In this instance as well, Satan planted an evil thought into the heart of a person who was opposed to religion, to fulfil his ends. Moreover, the paradise in which Adam (as) lived was in this very world. A wicked person planted a doubt into his heart. In the very first chapter of the Holy Quran, Allah the Exalted has emphasised that we must not be of those who have incurred the wrath of God, nor among those who were led astray. In other words, we are taught: O Muslims, do not adopt the ways of the Jews and Christians. These words are also indicative of a prophecy, in that certain Muslims would in fact adopt these characteristics, meaning, a time would come when certain Muslims would adopt the habits of the Jews and Christians, because a command to refrain from something is always given when there are some who are guilty of an infraction of the rule.”
The Promised Messiah (as) said: “All the words of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was revelation. However, the Holy Quran was a distinct form of revelation. It was a light.”
1 al-Muzzammil, 73:6
2 al-Mujadalah, 58:23
3 an-Nas, 114:6