Jibril جبريل

Overview

Jibril (جِبْرِيل), known in English as Gabriel, is the noblest of the angels and the bearer of divine revelation to every prophet and messenger. He conveyed the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over twenty-three years, beginning in the cave of Hira near Mecca. He is described in scripture as trustworthy, mighty, and obeyed among the heavenly host.

Etymology

The name جِبْرِيل is generally explained by classical philologists as a compound of Semitic origin meaning "servant of Allah" or "mighty one of God." Other Quranic titles include الرُّوحُ الْأَمِين ("the Trustworthy Spirit") and رُوحُ الْقُدُس ("the Holy Spirit"), each emphasizing a facet of his role in transmitting ar-Ruh, the divine message.

Quranic references

The Quran identifies Jibril explicitly and by epithet. Surah Al-Baqarah 2:97 — 'Say, "Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel — it is [none but] he who has brought the Quran down upon your heart, [O Muhammad], by permission of Allah."' Surah At-Takwir 81:19-21 — '[That this is] the word of a noble messenger, [who is] possessed of power and with the Owner of the Throne, secure [in position], obeyed there [in the heavens] and trustworthy.'

نَزَلَ بِهِ الرُّوحُ الْأَمِينُ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُنذِرِينَ

Surah Ash-Shu'ara 26:193-194 — 'The Trustworthy Spirit has brought it down upon your heart, [O Muhammad] — that you may be of the warners.' Surah An-Najm 53:5-6 — 'He was taught by one intense in strength — one of soundness.'

Hadith and tradition

The famous Hadith of Jibril, narrated by Umar, describes the angel appearing in human form to question the Prophet ﷺ about iman, Islam, and ihsan, recorded in Sahih Muslim 8.

Aishah said: "The Prophet ﷺ did not see Jibril in his true form except twice: once at Sidrat al-Muntaha and once on the horizon, filling what was between the heavens and the earth."— Sahih Muslim 177

The Prophet ﷺ said: "When Allah loves a servant He calls Jibril and says: 'I love so-and-so, so love him.' Then Jibril loves him and calls out to the inhabitants of the heavens."— Sahih al-Bukhari 3209

Significance

Belief in Jibril is inseparable from belief in revelation itself. Through him came the Torah to Musa, the Injil to Isa, and the Quranic surahs to Muhammad ﷺ. He accompanied the Prophet ﷺ during the night journey, taught him the times of salah, and brought support at Uhud. His role in sirah is foundational, and denial of him constitutes denial of tawhid's prophetic dimension.

See also

Angels · Israfil · ar-Ruh · Quran · Muhammad ﷺ

References

1. Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim, commentary on Surah Al-Baqarah 2:97 and Surah At-Takwir.
2. al-Tabari, Jami al-Bayan fi Ta'wil al-Quran, exegesis of Surah Ash-Shu'ara 26:193.
3. al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim, commentary on the Hadith of Jibril.
4. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Fath al-Bari Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Beginning of Creation.