Critique of Mojtahed Shabestari’s Theory on Divine Revelation, Word, and Saying

In Islam, revelation is the cornerstone and source of all religious teachings. Most Muslims believe that the Quran's wording and meaning come from God, but some contemporary thinkers such as Muhammad Mujtahid Shabestari believe that revelation came from the subconscious mind of the Prophet (pbuh) and was subsequently incorporated into the Quran. He presents new definitions of divine revelation, word and saying and believes that the word and meaning of the Quran originated from the Prophet (PBUH). Since the basis of religious teachings and the source of all Islamic knowledge is revelation, considering the teachings of the Quran as definitive proof depends on one's attitude towards revelation. Shabestari considers the Quran as a product of revelation, not revelation itself. This paper examines his views and arguments using the analytical-critical method and critiques them using rational and narrative criteria. It concludes that Shabestari's evidence is unable to support his claims, since the words and meaning of the Quran come from God.