The word · Belief
الإِلْهَام
Ilham
Inspiration placed in a heart, which may be true but is not revelation and is not proof for anyone else.
Also written · Ilhaam · Elham · Elhaam · Inspiration · Divine inspiration · Kashf · Firasah · Unveiling · Ilham vs wahy
The meaning
What Ilham means in Islam
The Qur'an uses the word for the soul being inspired with its wrong and its right (Qur'an 91:8). Sunni scholars accept that a righteous person may be given true insight, and still refuse to build a ruling on it, because ilham is not protected from error. If an inspiration contradicts the Qur'an or the Sunnah it is set aside without argument. Sufi writing uses kashf, unveiling, for a similar idea, under the same rule.
Evidence · Editorial · Our own summary, drawn from the sources named
Read beside it
Words that sit beside it
- WahyRevelation: Allah's speech conveyed to a prophet, directly, from behind a veil, or through an angel.الوَحْي
- KaramahAn extraordinary event granted to a righteous believer, with no claim to prophethood attached.الكَرَامَة
- IstidrajBeing drawn in slowly by blessings while sinning, so that ease becomes a punishment rather than approval.الاِسْتِدْرَاج
- NubuwwahProphethood: Allah choosing certain men to receive revelation and deliver it, ending with Muhammad, peace be upon him.النُّبُوَّة
More from Belief
- Adhab al-QabrThe punishment or ease a person meets in the grave, before the Day of Judgement arrives.عَذَابُ القَبْر
- AthariThe Sunni creed school that keeps to the wording of the texts and avoids theological speculation.الأَثَرِيَّة
- IslamSubmission to Allah: outwardly the five pillars, inwardly the handing over of the whole self.الإِسْلَام
- MahdiA rightly guided leader expected near the end of time, understood very differently by Sunni and Shia Islam.المَهْدِيّ
- QalamThe Pen, commanded to write the decree of everything that would happen until the Day of Judgement.القَلَم
- SiratThe bridge laid over Hell that everyone must cross, at speeds matching their deeds.الصِّرَاط