“The loftiest of people in rank with Allah are those who are between Allah and His slaves, they are the Prophets (alayhimus salaatu was salaam) and the scholars.”
The Angel casts into his (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) heart.
The Angel speaks to him (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in human form.
It comes to him as the ringing of a bell and this is the most difficult upon him (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
He (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) sees the Angel in his created form.
That which Allah revealed to him (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) on the Night of Ascension.
The direct speech of Allah without mediator.
Some added: Allah speaking to him (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) without a veil (based on the opinion that he saw his Lord. However, all the Companions are of the position that he did not see Him).
Muktārāt min Zād Al-Ma’ād – Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymīn Translated by Abū Humayd
Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan (hafidahullah) was asked:
Does disbelief have many types and levels, some of them more severe than others? Or is it one level? And if there are levels of disbelief, then which of them constitutes cursing of the religion, or Allah, or the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam), and refuge is sought with Allah from that?
He answered:
Yes, Disbelief, – refuge is sought with Allah – is levels, some of them more severe than others, from them is disbelief which exits from the religion, and from them disbelief which is lesser than that: Lesser disbelief. Cursing of the religion, or cursing Allah, or His Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) this is from major disbelief, that exits from the religion – refuge is sought with Allah -.
As for lesser disbelief, then its example is like his saying (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam)
“Cursing a Muslim is sin, and killing him is disbelief.” (1)
And his statement (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam):
“So, do not turn to disbelief after me by striking the necks of one another” (2)
This is from lesser disbelief which doesn’t exit from the religion, so killing a person is a terrible crime, a great sin and a great prohibition, however it does not lead to the level of disbelief which exits from the religion.
Ibnul Mubaarak (rahimhullah) said: “The first (stage) of knowledge is the intention, then listening, then understanding, then memorisation, then action, then dissemination.”