Could you please give information about Gabriel? (The Archangel)

AssalomuAleykum, Could you please give information about Gabriel? (The Archangel)

Dear Brother / Sister,

One of the four archangels. Also called Jibril. He is mentioned with that name in the Quran three times. (al-Baqara, 2/97-98; at-Tahrim, 64/4). This word, Jibril, is a Hebrew word consisting of two words “jibr” and “il”. “Jibr” means the servant and “il” means Allah, which means together “servant of Allah” . (M.H. Yazır, Hak Dini Kur' an Dili (True Religion, the Quran’s Language) l, 431). Gabriel is mentioned in the Quran with the names “Ruh (The Spirit)” “Ruhul Qudus (The Holy Spirit)” and “Ruhul Amin (The Trustworthy Spirit)”

Gabriel’s duty is being a messenger between Allah and His prophets. He conveys the orders and decrees from Allah to the prophets. The Quran was also revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through Gabriel. In the Quran, the following is stated regarding the issue: “ O Muhammad, Ruhul Emin (The Trustworthy Spirit) has revealed the Quran onto your heart with a clear Arabic , in order that you warn the people” (Surah ash-Shuara, The Poets , 26/192-195)

Gabriel may take any form. Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has seen him in his real appearance twice: once, when he was descending from Hira to Makkah, at the beginning of the Revelation, and the second time when he was returning from the Miraj (The Ascension) at Sidratul Muntaha (A holy place in the heavens) (as-Saati,al-Fathu'r-Rabbani, VIII, 5). Gabriel, sometimes,  brought the Revelation, in the form of an ordinary man. Then, mostly, he used to be in the apperance of the handsome and young companion Dihyatul Kalbi (Tajridi Sarih Translation, IX,35).  Gabriel accompanied the Prophet (PBUH) during the Ascension (Miraj), from Makkah to Jerusalem and from there to Sidratu'l-Muntaha. (Bukhari, Bed'u'l-Halk (Onset of the Creation) 6;(Salat) Prayer 1).

These commands are in the Surah an-Najm:

“He was taught by one mighty in Power . Endued with Wisdom: For he appeared (in stately form). While he was in the highest part of the horizon. Then he approached and came closer. And was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer. So did (Allah) convey the inspiration to His Servant (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey “ And in another verse, the following is stated :

”And if you back each other against him, truly Allah is his Protector, and Gabriel, and (every) righteous one among those who believe― and furthermore, the angels― will back (him) up.” (at-Tahrim, 66/4)

In the Madinah period, the Jewish scholars asked the Prophet (PBUH) several questions to test him, depending on their knowledge in their books. When they got all correct answer, they asked the name of the angel that brings the revelation to him. When he said “Gabriel” , they said “He is our enemy, he brings war and violence. Our angel of revelation is Michael. He brings good tidings, cheapness and abundance. If he had been your angel, we would have believed you” (M. Hamdi Yazır, ibid. I, 429). Upon this, the following verses were revealed: “ Say, Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel-for he brings down the (revelation) to thy heart by Allah's will, a confirmation of what went before and guidance and glad tidings for those who believe.―. Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and prophets to Gabriel and Michael-Lo! Allah is an enemy to those who reject faith.(Surah al-Baqara 2/ 97 98)”

Allah depicted Gabriel with the attributes of power and trust : “Verily this is the word of a most honorable Messenger endued with Power, with rank before the Lord of the Throne with authority there, (and) faithful of his trust (at-Takwir, 81/19-21)

Durak PUSMAZ

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