Jibril (Gabriel)

Jibril (as) is the angel who conveys the revelation of Almighty Allah (swt) to the prophets. In the Qur'an, it is referred to by names such as Ruh al-Qudus(Baqarah, 2/87, 253)Ruh al-Amin, (Shu'ara, 26/193) Ruh, (Qadr, 97/4) Namus al-Akbar (Ibn IshaqSirah, p. 122) and it is expressed as "Jibril" in three places. (Baqarah, 2/97, 98; Tahrim, 66/4) This name is also mentioned as Jibril (as) in the hadiths.

The most famous hadith about Jibril is the one narrated by Umar (ra), also known as the Hadith of Jibril. In the narrative, Jibril (as) came to the Prophet Muhammad (saw) in human form and left after asking him some questions about Islam, Iman (faith) and Ihsan (goodwill) and getting answers. Later, the Companions were informed by the Prophet Muhammad (saw) that this person was Jibril. (Muslim, Iman, 1)

Almighty Allah (swt) introduces Jibril with various superior features in the Qur'an. While mentioning his physical features in the verses, there is an emphasis on his qualities such as "intense in strength, one of soundness". (Najm, 53/5-6) In addition, attention is drawn to his position among the angels as "a noble messenger who is obeyed in the heavens". (Takwir, 81/19-21)

People other than prophets could see Jibril in human form. As a matter of fact, appearing to Maryam (Maryam, 19/17) or to the Companions in the form of a human, as in the Hadith of Jibril, are among these. On the other hand, it is mentioned in the sources that Jibril brought revelation to the Prophet Muhammad (saw) in the form of Dihya bin Khalifa, a companion. Along with all these, it is mentioned in the sources that Jibril appeared to the Prophet Muhammad (saw) in his original form twice. One of them was in the Mi'raj (ascension) event (Najm, 53/7-9; Takwir, 81/19) and the other was in the early stages of the first revelation. (Bukhari, Bad'ul-Wahy, 1)

Jirbil (as), who is both muqarrabun (those who are brought near to Allah) and one of the angels carrying the throne, also has an important place in the eyes of Muslims because he is the angel of revelation. He is the angel who brought the Qur'an, which confirms the previous books, to the Prophet Muhammad (saw). While fulfilling this duty, he only obeyed the command of Allah (swt). It is against the Islamic faith to deny the existence of Jibril or to bear enmity towards him as in the Jewish faith. Because bearing enmity against him means to be hostile to Almighty Allah (swt), Who actually sent the revelation.