26 April 2026

The Reality of Revelation between Sheikh Abdullah Jawadi Amoli and Dr. Abdul-Karim Soroush: A Comparative Study

2026-04-21 17:01

Muhammad Hussein Muhsin al-Ibrahimi

Abstract
The question of revelation constitutes one of the fundamental issues that has received widespread attention in all Abrahamic religions, as it represents the foundational pillar upon which religions in general - and Islam in particular-rest. For if the concept of divine inspiration from God Almighty to the prophets is denied or rejected, it becomes impossible to prove any Abrahamic religion, nor can religious teachings and knowledge be attributed to a divine source. Through the descriptive inductive method, this study examines the concept of revelation as understood by Sheikh Jawadi Amoli, reviewing the evidence he presents, while also tracing the historical roots of the theory of the divine dimension of revelation in the Quran. Additionally, the study analyzes Sheikh Jawadi Amoli's position regarding Abdul-Karim Soroush's view of the reality of revelation, presenting a set of arguments he advances to refute Soroush's claims concerning the understanding of revelation's essence. Sheikh Jawadi Amoli, based upon this evidence, demonstrates that divine revelation—both in its textual and semantic dimensions—emanates from God Almighty, that the Final Prophet (peace be upon him) receives divine revelation through Gabriel (peace be upon him), and that revelation originates from outside the Prophet's self rather than from within. The study also clarifies the subtle distinctions between mystical intuition (kashf), which may be particular to certain saints, and divine revelation, which is exclusive to prophets and messengers alone. The study concludes that the reality of revelation is a purely divine matter, not subject to human origin, and that it is infallible in its three stages: reception, preservation, and transmission. Furthermore, it affirms revelation's suitability and capacity to keep pace with different times and places.