Gabriel

Gabriel is one of the four archangels of God who is mentioned in the holy books of the Torah, the Gospel, and the Quran.

In the Holy Quran, the name of this angel appears three times with the word "Jibril."

Considering the various attributes mentioned in the Quran for Gabriel (peace be upon him), it can be understood that, in addition to his exalted status with God, this angel plays an important role in managing the affairs of existence, the most significant of which is the revelation of divine guidance.

By God’s command, Gabriel (peace be upon him) aided the Muslims in certain battles, such as Badr, Uhud, and the battle against the Jews of Banu Qurayza.

It is reported that during the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah in the sixth year of the Hijra, Gabriel (peace be upon him) came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asked him to sacrifice the camels and return to Medina.

During the Conquest of Mecca, Gabriel (peace be upon him) also assisted the Prophet (peace be upon him) in uncovering a spying plot.

Then the Prophet (peace be upon him), following Gabriel’s (peace be upon him) guidance, destroyed the idols surrounding the Kaaba with his staff.

According to narrations, Gabriel played a role in the construction of the Kaaba and in guiding and assisting the prophets, including teaching them the rituals of Hajj.

Etymology of Gabriel

"Jibril" is composed of "Jabr," meaning servant 

(1) " al-Jawāliqī ,al-Muʿrib min al-Kalām al-Aʿjamī ", p. 154. ,,, Ibn Manẓūr ," Lisān al-ʿArab" ,vol. 4, p. 114. ,,, al-Ṭabarasī , " Majmaʿ al-Bayān" ,vol. 1, p. 324.

or power(2) al-Shaʿrānī , "Nasr-i Ṭūbā ", vol. 1, p. 122.  ,,, Ibn ʿĀshūr , "al-Taḥrīr wa al-Tanwīr",vol. 1, p. 620. 

and "Il," which, according to some, is one of the names of God(3) al-Nawawī , " al-Majmūʿ Sharḥ al-Muḥaḏhab" ,vol. 3, p. 20. ,,, al-Shaʿrānī , "Nasr-i Ṭūbā ", vol. 1, p. 123.  ,,, Ibn ʿĀshūr , "al-Taḥrīr wa al-Tanwīr",vol. 1, p. 620. 

And according to some, it means "Allah."(4) al-Zamakhsharī , "al-Kashshāf",vol. 1, p. 169. ,,, Ḥusaynī Kāshifī , "Mawāhib ʿAliyya (Tafsīr Ḥusaynī)" ,p. 30. ,,, al-Ṭabarasī , " Majmaʿ al-Bayān" ,vol. 1, p. 324.

This word is originally Hebrew(5) Ḥusaynī Kāshifī , "Mawāhib ʿAliyya (Tafsīr Ḥusaynī)" ,p. 30. ,,, Arthur Jeffery , "Wājihāt-i Dakhīl dar al-Qurʾān al-Majīd" ,p. 166. ,,, al-Shaʿrānī , "Nasr-i Ṭūbā ", vol. 1, p. 122.  

or Syriac(6) al-Ṭabarasī , " Majmaʿ al-Bayān" ,vol. 1, p. 324. ,,, Maybudī , "Kashf al-Asrār", vol. 1. P. 291. ,,, Ḥusaynī Kāshifī , "Mawāhib ʿAliyya (Tafsīr Ḥusaynī)" ,p. 30. 

and means “servant of God”(7) al-Ṭūsī , " al-Tibyān" ,vol. 1, p. 363. ,,, al-Zamakhsharī , "al-Kashshāf",vol. 1, p. 169. ,,, al-Ṭabarasī , " Majmaʿ al-Bayān" ,vol. 1, p. 324.

or “power of God.” This word in Hebrew is Gabriel (Gabriel).(8) Shūshtarī. , "Farhang-i Kāmil Lughat al-Qurʾān" ,p. 149.

and in Arabic in various forms(9) al-Ṭūsī , " al-Tibyān" ,vol. 1, p. 362. ,,,***,,, al-Qurṭubī, " Tafsīr al-Qurṭubī (al-Jāmiʿ li-Aḥkām al-Qurʾān)" ,vol. 2, p. 37.

It has been reported in various forms, including: Jibril, Jabril, Jibra’il, Jabra’il, Jabr’el, Jibrin, and Jibrīn.[10] ) al-Nawawī , " al-Majmūʿ Sharḥ al-Muḥaḏhab" ,vol. 3, p. 20. ,,, " al-Jawāliqī ,al-Muʿrib min al-Kalām al-Aʿjamī ", p. 60. ,,, Ibn Manẓūr ," Lisān al-ʿArab" ,vol. 4, p. 114.

Gabriel in the Holy Books

Gabriel is one of the four archangels of God (Gabriel, Michael, Israfil, and Azrael)(11) al-Kulaynī, " al-Kāfī" ,vol. 4, p. 72. ,,, al-Rāwandī , "al-Nawādir" , p. 260. ,,,  al-Majlisī ,"

Biḥār al-Anwār" , vol. 56, p. 206.

who is mentioned in the holy books, the Torah and the Gospel(12) Buṭrus ʿAbd al-Malik et al. Cairo , "Qāmūs al-Kitāb al-Muqaddas" ,p. 245. ,,, Qarshī , " Qāmūs al-Qurʾān" ,vol. 2, p. 5. ,,, al-Shaʿrānī , "Nasr-i Ṭūbā ", vol. 1, p. 123.

He is mentioned in the Quran. In the Holy Quran, the name of this angel appears three times with the word "Jibril."(13) Al-Baqarah, Sūrat al-Baqarah (2), āyāt 97–98. ,,,al-Taḥrīm, Sūrat al-Taḥrīm (66), āyah 4.

Explicit Mention of the Names Gabriel and Michael(14) Al-Baqarah, Sūrat al-Baqarah (2), āyah 98.

Among all the angels, it indicates the superiority of these two over the others.(15) ʿAtīq Nīshābūrī , "Tafsīr Sūrābādī" , vol. 1, p. 103. ,,, Bursawī, " Rūḥ al-Bayān" ,vol. 1, p. 188. ,,,

al-Sabzawārī., "Mawāhib al-Raḥmān " , vol. 1, p. 341.

In numerous verses, Gabriel (peace be upon him) is also described with attributes such as "Spirit,"(16) Al-Qadr, Sūrat al-Qadr (97), āyah 1,,, al-Maʿārij, Sūrat al-Maʿārij (70), āyah 4.,,, al-Ṭūsī , " al-Tibyān" , vol. 10, p. 386. ,,, al-Ṭūsī , " al-Tibyān" ,vol. 1, p. 363. ,,, al-Zamakhsharī , " al-Kashshāf " vol. 4, p. 609. ,,, al-Ṭabarasī , "  Majmaʿ al-Bayān, vol. 10, p. 790.

the Holy Spirit,(17) Al-Baqarah, Sūrat al-Baqarah (2), āyah 87. ,,,al-Naḥl, Sūrat al-Naḥl (16), āyah 102. al-Ṭūsī , " Al-Tibyān, vol. 6, p. 426. ,,, Maybudī , "Kashf al-Asrār, vol. 1, p. 263. ,,,al-Ṭabarasī , " Majmaʿ al-Bayān, vol. 3, p. 248. ,,, al-Ṭabarasī , " Majmaʿ al-Bayān, vol. 6, p. 200.

the Trustworthy Spirit,(18) Al-Shuʿarāʾ, Sūrat al-Shuʿarāʾ (26), āyah 193. ,,, al-Ṭabarī, " Jāmiʿ al-Bayān", vol. 19, p. 396. ,,, Maybudī , " Kashf al-Asrār" , vol. 7, p. 156. ,,, al-Ṭabarasī , " Majmaʿ al-Bayān, vol. 7, p. 320.

Our Spirit(19) Maryam, Sūrat Maryam (19), āyah 17. ,,, al-Ṭabarī, "  Jāmiʿ al-Bayān" vol. 18, p. 163. ,,, al-Ṭūsī , "  al-Tibyān, vol. 7, p. 114. ,,, al-Ṭabarasī , " Majmaʿ al-Bayān, vol. 6, p. 783.

Almighty and Powerful,(20) Al-Najm, Sūrat al-Najm (53), āyāt 5–6. Ibn al-Jawzī , "Zād al-Masīr" , vol. 4, p. 184. ,,, al-Ṭabāṭabāʾī, " al-Mīzān", vol. 19, pp. 27–28.

of high rank(21) Al-Najm, Sūrat al-Najm (53), āyāt 5–6. Ibn al-Jawzī , "Zād al-Masīr" , vol. 4, p. 184. ,,, al-Ṭabāṭabāʾī, " al-Mīzān", vol. 19, pp. 27–28.

Possessing strength, a noble messenger, firm, obedient, and trustworthy(22) Al-Takwīr, Sūrat al-Takwīr (81), āyāt 19–21. ,,, Ibn al-Jawzī , "Zād al-Masīr" , vol. 4, p. 408. ,,, al-Ṭabāṭabāʾī, " al-Mīzān", vol. 20, p. 218.

] has been mentioned

Gabriel’s Role in the World

The Holy Quran, in numerous verses, refers to the role of angels in the affairs of the world(23) Al-Nāziʿāt, Sūrat al-Nāziʿāt (79), āyah 1. Al-Nāziʿāt, Sūrat al-Nāziʿāt (79), āyah 5. Al-Dhāriyāt, Sūrat al-Dhāriyāt (51), āyah 4. al-Ṭabarī, "  Jāmiʿ al-Bayān", vol. 30, p. 18–20. ,,, al-Ṭabarī, "   Jāmiʿ al-Bayān",vol. 26, p. 116–117. ,,, Ṭabāṭabāʾī, " al-Mīzān", vol. 18, p. 364–365. ,,, Ṭabāṭabāʾī, " al-Mīzān", vol. 20, p. 180.

Considering the various attributes mentioned in the Holy Quran for Gabriel (peace be upon him), it can be understood that, in addition to his exalted status with God, this angel plays an important role in managing the affairs of existence, the most significant of which is the revelation of divine guidance.(24) Al-Baqarah, Sūrat al-Baqarah (2), āyah 97. ,,,al-Naḥl, Sūrat al-Naḥl (16), āyah 102.

and its instruction(25) Al-Najm, Sūrat al-Najm (53), āyah 5. ,,, al-Ṭabarī, " Jāmiʿ al-Bayān ", vol. 27, p. 25. ,,, Ibn Kathīr, " Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr" , vol. 7, p. 412.,,, Ibn al-Jawzī, " Zād al-Masīr", vol. 4, p. 184 . ,,, Ṭabāṭabāʾī, " al-Mīzān", vol. 19, p. 27.

to the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him).

Regarding Gabriel’s (peace be upon him) role in cosmic affairs, for example, one can refer to the expansion of the earth (Dahw al-Ard). It is said that the spreading of the earth mentioned in the verse) ﴿وَالاَرْضَ بَعْدَ ذَلِکَ دَحَاهَا﴾(26 Al-Nāziʿāt, Sūrat al-Nāziʿāt (79), āyah 30.

It is mentioned that this was carried out by Gabriel (peace be upon him) from beneath the Kaaba.[27] Abū al-Fatḥ Rāzī, " Rawḍ al-Jinān" , vol. 20, p. 140.

Teaching Hajj to Adam(a)

According to Shia narrations, the descent of Adam and Eve from Paradise to the land of Mecca, and the placement of Adam (peace be upon him) on Mount Safa and Eve on Mount Marwah, was carried out by God’s command and through Gabriel (peace be upon him).

Then Gabriel (peace be upon him), by God’s command, erected one of the heavenly tents at the place where the Kaaba was later built and placed Adam and Eve in it.

The light of the tent’s pillar illuminated the mountains of Mecca and its surroundings, and God named the area reached by the pillar’s light as the Sacred Sanctuary (Haram).

Then Gabriel (peace be upon him), by God’s command, dismantled the tent and built the Kaaba in its place.(28) al-Kulaynī , "Al-Kāfī", vol. 4, p. 195–197. ,,, al-ʿAyāshī , "Tafsīr al-ʿAyyāshī ", vol. 1,  p. 35–38.

On the eighth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, Adam (peace be upon him) was commanded to perform Ghusl (ritual purification) and enter Ihram, and then the rituals of Hajj, such as Talbiyah, standing at Mina and Arafat, Halq (shaving the head), stoning the Jamrah, and Tawaf, were taught to him.[29] al-Qummī , "Tafsīr al-Qummī" , vol. 1, p. 44–45.,,, al-Kulaynī , " al-Kāfī", vol. 4, p. 191–194.

According to Sunni narrations, Gabriel (peace be upon him) also accompanied Adam (peace be upon him) in the plains of Arafat and Mina.

In Arafat, he reminded Adam that the angels had performed Tawaf around the House of God fifty thousand years before his creation.(30) al-Ḥalabī , "Al-Sīrah al-Ḥalabiyyah", vol. 1, p. 219. ,,, al-Ṣāliḥī , "Subul al-Hudā" ,vol. 1, p. 209. ,,,  al-Suyūṭī , "al-Durr al-Manthūr", vol. 1, p. 315.

When parting from Adam (peace be upon him) in the land of Mina, he said: “Tamann” means: “Ask God for whatever you wish(31) al-ʿAynī ,"ʿUmdat al-Qārī", vol. 7, p. 118.

According to a Shia narration, Gabriel (peace be upon him) said these words to Abraham.(32) al-Ṣadūq," ʿUyūn Akhbār al-Riḍā, vol. 1, p. 98.

For this reason, this land was named Mina.[33] al-Ṣadūq," ʿUyūn Akhbār al-Riḍā, vol. 1, p. 98.

Teaching Abraham and Ishmael

After Hagar and Ishmael settled in Mecca, causing the Zamzam water to flow beneath Ishmael’s feet was one of Gabriel’s (peace be upon him) missions.(34) al-Ṣadūq," Al-Khiṣāl, vol. 1, p. 455. …Ibn Isḥāq , "Sīrat Ibn Isḥāq", p. 26. .,,, al-Kulaynī , " al-Kāfī", vol. 4, p. 202.

For this reason, one of the names of Zamzam is Raqdat Jibril (the place where Gabriel stepped).(35) al-Ṣadūq," Al-Khiṣāl", p. 455. ,,, al-ʿAynī ,"ʿUmdat al-Qārī", vol. 9, p. 277.

When Abraham (peace be upon him) was commanded by God to build the Kaaba, Gabriel (peace be upon him) showed him its location.(36) Al-Ḥajj, Sūrat al-Ḥajj (22), āyah 26. ,,, Abū al-Fatḥ Rāzī , "Rawḍ al-Jinān" , vol. 2, p. 168. ,,, Kāshānī , "Manhaj al-Ṣādiqīn", vol. 6, p. 142.

Then, upon reaching the location of the Black Stone, he sent Ishmael (peace be upon him) to bring a stone for that place.* (37)** Al-Mustadrak, vol. 1, p. 629.

Gabriel (peace be upon him), who had hidden the Black Stone on Mount Abu Qubays during the flood of Noah (peace be upon him),(38) Ibn Isḥāq , "Sīrat Ibn Isḥāq", p. 96.

he entrusted it to Ishmael (peace be upon him) to give to his father.(39) ***Al-Mustadrak, vol. 1, p. 629.

[39] After the construction of the Kaaba, Gabriel (peace be upon him) commanded Abraham (peace be upon him) to call people to Hajj. [40] Ibn Abī Jumhūr , "ʿAwālī al-Luʾālī" , vol. 4, p. 35–36.

Abraham and Ishmael (peace be upon them) asked God to teach them the rituals of Hajj.(41) Al-Baqarah, Sūrat al-Baqarah (2), āyah 128.

Gabriel (peace be upon him) came to the two of them and taught them the rituals of Hajj.(42) al-Kulaynī , " Al-Kāfī" ,vol. 4, p. 202–203. ,,, Abū al-Fatḥ Rāzī , " Rawḍ al-Jinān", vol. 2, p. 160/ 171. ,,, al-Qurṭubī, " Tafsīr al-Qurṭubī" , vol. 2, p. 128–129.

In Islamic narrations, there are details of Gabriel’s accompaniment of Abraham in Muzdalifah,(43) al-Barqī , "Al-Maḥāsin", vol. 2, p. 336. ,,, al-Ṣadūq, " ʿIlal al-Sharāʾiʿ", vol. 2, p. 436.

Arafah,[44] al-Ṣadūq, " ʿIlal al-Sharāʾiʿ" , vol. 2, p. 436. ,,, Abū al-Fatḥ Rāzī , " Rawḍ al-Jinān", vol. 3, p. 123. ,,, al-Fakhr al-Rāzī, " al-Tafsīr al-Kabīr" , vol. 4, p. 55.

 and the Jamrat[45] al-Ṣadūq, " ʿIlal al-Sharāʾiʿ" , vol. 2, p. 437.

 have been reported.

According to some Sunni narrations, Abraham, with Gabriel’s guidance, determined and marked the boundaries of the Sacred Sanctuary of Mecca.(46) : al-Fākhī, " Akhbār Makkah" , vol. 2, p. 259. ,,, al-Ṣanʿānī, " al-Muṣannaf " ,vol. 5, p. 25.

Teaching Moses

According to a Shia narration, Gabriel (peace be upon him) was also present when Moses (peace be upon him) performed Hajj, and in response to Moses’ question about the reward for one who performs Hajj sincerely, he conveyed God’s message that such a person would be placed in the highest realm of Paradise alongside the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous(47) al-Ṣadūq, " Man lā Yaḥḍuruhu al-Faqīh ", vol. 2, p. 235–236.

Gabriel During the Prophethood

The prophethood of the Prophet (peace be upon him) began with the revelation of verses of the Quran to him by Gabriel (peace be upon him) in the Cave of Hira.(48) al-Dhahabī , "Tārīkh al-Islām wa Wafayāt al-Mashāhīr  " , vol. 1, p. 65.

After that, Gabriel (peace be upon him) continuously appeared to the Prophet (peace be upon him) throughout the 23 years of his prophethood, whether in Mecca or Medina, for the revelation of Quranic verses and to guide and assist him in specific situations.(49) Al-Isrāʾ, Sūrat al-Isrāʾ (17), āyah 1. ,,, al-ʿAyāshī, " Tafsīr al-ʿAyyāshī" , vol. 2, p. 276–277. ,,, al-Thaʿlabī , "Tafsīr Thaʿlabī (al-Kashf wa al-Bayān " ,vol. 6, p. 55.

Praying in Mecca led by Gabriel,(50) al-Azraqī, "Akhbār Makkah ",vol. 1, p. 178. ,,, al-Nawawī, " al-Majmūʿ" , vol. 3, p. 18.

Accompanying the Prophet (peace be upon him) during the Mi’raj and informing him of the Quraysh’s plot to kill him,[51] Yā Sīn, Sūrat Yā Sīn (36), āyah 9.

[52] al-Qummī, "Tafsīr al-Qummī" , vol. 1, p. 275–276. ,,,  al-Majlisī , "Biḥār al-Anwār " ,vol. 19, p. 46,,,  al-Majlisī , "Biḥār al-Anwār " ,vol. 19, pp. 50–51,,,  al-Majlisī , "Biḥār al-Anwār " ,vol. 19, p. 54.

are among these instances

Gabriel After the Migration of the Prophet of Islam

It is reported that in Medina, Gabriel (peace be upon him) often appeared to the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the form of “Dihyah al-Kalbi,” who was one of the companions of the Prophet and a handsome man.(53) al-Ṭabarānī , "Al-Muʿjam al-Awsaṭ ", vol. 1, p. 7.  al-Haythamī, " Majmaʿ al-Zawāʾid ",vol. 8, p. 257.

Whenever Gabriel (peace be upon him) came to the Prophet (peace be upon him), he would stop at a place near his house and seek permission to enter.(54) Kulaynī , " Al-Kāfī " vol. 4, p. 452, Kulaynī , " Al-Kāfī " , vol. 4, p. 557.

In another narration, it is reported that at the end of the Battle of the Trench, Gabriel (peace be upon him) came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) at this place and conveyed God’s message instructing him to prepare for the battle against the Jews of Banu Qurayza.[55] al-Samhūdī, " Wafāʾ al-Wafāʾ " ,vol. 1, p. 236–237.

By God’s command, Gabriel (peace be upon him) participated in certain battles, such as Badr,[56] al-Bukhārī, " Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī