Characteristics of Wahy Qat'i

Hawzah News Agency (Qom, Iran) - "Wahy qat`i" refers to Revelation that has been proven beyond doubt to have originated from one of the Ma'sumun (the Prophet and Imams) and which is clear and precise in its content and purport and which allows of no ambiguity, or multiplicity of interpretation to contrary. Moreover, the statement must have been issued with the purpose of expressing true judgment, not for the purpose of dissimulation, (altaqiyyah(

If something definitely possesses the three characteristics just mentioned, it can be said to be "wahy qat'i". And if the entire three or any one, of the above characteristics cannot conclusively be shown to belong', to it, then its being a revelation is conjectural (zanni) rather than definitive (qat'i(.

In other words, if the claim that one of the Ma'sumun made certain statement cannot be proven beyond doubt, or if the content of' the statement is not perfectly clear and unambiguous, or if it cannot be categorically proven that it was issued for the sake of announcing a hukm (command), such a statement cannot be judged to be wahy qat'i, rather it must be considered to be "wahy ghayr qat'i", that is “uncertain” or “conjectural revelation”.

Reference:
Ayatullah Jawadi Amuli, Divine Revelation, Human Reason and Science, Journal: Vol.1, N.2, Translated by Shahyar Sa'adat, Published by Ahlul Bayt World Assembly.