The Ways of Communication between Angels and Imams (a.s.)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Abstract

Communications between prophets and even some of those
like Mary (a.s.) who have been chosen by God on the one
hand and angels on the other is one of the important issues
discussed in our Qur’anic and narrative culture. In spite
of its importance, this issue has been for various reasons
neglected. In the present writing, employing the analytic and
descriptive methodology and studying hadiths of the Infallibles
(a.s.), the author tries to provide a replies for the following
questions: “does Qur’anic and narrative evidence confirm the
communication between Imams (a.s.) and other people who
are not prophets on the one hand and angels on the other?”
and “if yes, in which ways is this communication established?”
In this study, the author comes to the conclusion that there
are Qur’anic and narrative arguments for this communication
of Imams (a.s.) and other people who are not prophets and
this communication is established in two ways: either angels
are incarnated or Imams (a.s.) and other people who are not
prophets communicate with angels through al-tahdith (the fact
of speaking to someone). al-Tahdith is angels’ speaking with
the friend of God; in this case, the angel does not see the
one with whom the angel speaks and only hears his voice.
To establish such a communication, the one with whom the
angel speaks needs not to be a prophet. This is other than
inspiration in which some points come to one’s heart.