LessonsThe Uncreated Qur’an: Divine Speech, Wording, Meaning and AttributionQuiz

حَتَّى يَسْمَعَ كَلَامَ اللَّهِ
Until he hears the speech of God. (Al-Tawbah 9:6)

This verse speaks of hearing God’s speech. Some theologians interpret such hearing through audible expression that signifies inner speech; others discuss whether God can cause a special perception or hearing of divine speech. Explanations attributed to Māturīdī and Ashʿarī scholars illustrate the distinction.

Ordinarily, a listener hears a reciter’s sound. Whether a different kind of divine hearing is possible is a further theological question. Collapsing these positions erases both their conceptual differences and the historical disagreement.

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Hearing divine speech: differing classical explanations

The Uncreated Qur’an: Divine Speech, Wording, Meaning and Attribution

حَتَّى يَسْمَعَ كَلَامَ اللَّهِ
Until he hears the speech of God. (Al-Tawbah 9:6)

This verse speaks of hearing God’s speech. Some theologians interpret such hearing through audible expression that signifies inner speech; others discuss whether God can cause a special perception or hearing of divine speech. Explanations attributed to Māturīdī and Ashʿarī scholars illustrate the distinction.

Ordinarily, a listener hears a reciter’s sound. Whether a different kind of divine hearing is possible is a further theological question. Collapsing these positions erases both their conceptual differences and the historical disagreement.