By: Faisal Al-Zamel

It is important to give full appreciation and respect to the Angel Jibreel for his great role during all Prophets’ lifetime. Unfortunately, this is not the case with the Jews who used to say to the people in Medina during Prophet time (peace be upon him): “Angel Jibreel’ is our enemy among all Angels.”

Almighty Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an:

“Say, “Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel – it is [none but] he who has brought the Qur’an down upon your heart, [O Muhammad], by permission of Allah, confirming that which was before it and as guidance and good tidings for the believers.” (Al-Baqarah 2:97)

“Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and His messengers and Gabriel and Michael – then indeed, Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers.” (Al-Baqarah 2:98)

This saying from the Jews reflects their lack of respect to Allah, the Almighty, because the angels do not do anything without Almighty Allah’ Direct Commands.

Therefore, the belief in Almighty Allah is followed by the belief in the Books He sent down to all Messengers (peace be upon them) and the belief in the Angels He ordered to deliver His messages to all the Prophets, from Adam to Prophet Muhammad (peace be them all)

Jibreel: the Chief of the Angels and Messenger of Revelation

Jibreel is the head of all of the angels. When Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) met him for the first time and told Waraqah- a scholar at his time – about him, Waraqah said:

“This the Head of the angels. He is the one who used to deliver the messages from Almighty Allah to Moses (peace be upon him).”

For this reason, we will give a closer look at his role in the Islamic era:

Guiding and Supporting the Prophet Throughout His Life

1- Jibreel accompanied Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) throughout his life. Even when the Prophet was 12, it is narrated that it was raining and the boys in his neighborhood decided to jump in the water naked. So, the Prophet started to take off his clothes and follow them. Jibreel was there and he pushed the Prophet on his chest, and whispered to him (Put your clothes on) and Muhammad did.

2- Jibreel was there when the people of Quraish said to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) “Look what you have done to our city.” There was an empty house. The wind opened the door. They looked towards Muhammad and said to him angrily: “May Allah punish you, look what you have done, you divided us.”

That was much more than he could bear. His reputation in Mecca rested on his role as a good citizen who served the society. Now, they are accusing him of the opposite. So he got out of the town heading towards the valleys around Mecca sadly and grief-stricken.

With that flood of sadness feelings and frustration, the Prophet (peace be upon him) left the town and started to walk between the mountain of Mecca. Angel Jibreel suddenly showed up. This time, he came in the exact shape of his creation not in the Revelation manner, but face to face. The Prophet described that seen saying: (The sun disappeared suddenly, a voice called me from top, O Muhammad, look at me, I am Jibreel). His size is from the end of the horizon in the east to the end in the west. The Prophet looked at that enormous seen for couple of minutes, then Jibreel slowly raised up, and disappeared in the sky.

Right after this meeting, a new revelation came through Jibreel, Surat Taha. The Prophet was addressed in this way:

“Ta, Ha. * We have not sent down to you the Qur’an that you be distressed. * But only as a reminder for those who fear [Allah]. * A revelation from He who created the earth and highest heavens, * The Most Merciful [who is] above the Throne established. To Him belong what is in the heavens and what is on the earth and what is between them and what is under the soil.” (Ta Ha 20:1-6)

That gave a great relief and confidence to Prophet (peace be upon him).

3- The Companions themselves met Jibreel. He came in the shape of a human being with white skin, black hair and his clothes did not show that he was coming from a long journey in the dessert. He entered the mosque of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and went directly toward him, he sat face to face in front of the Prophet and said:

(Oh Muhammad: What is Islam? Teach me. He kept asking the Prophet (peace be upon him) about the pillars of Islam and Prophet replied to him until he finished. Then he left the place. Some companions tried to follow him but they found no body. He disappeared. The Prophet said: “That was Jibreel. He came here to teach you the basics of your religion.”

The Companions also felt great respect for Jibreel, because of this hadith:

“When Allah loves a servant, He calls Jibreel and says: Verily, I love so and so; you should also love him, and then Gabriel begins to love him. Then, he makes an announcement in the heaven saying: Allah loves so and so and you also love him, and then the inhabitants of the Heaven (the Angels) also begin to love him and then there is conferred honor upon him in the earth. And when Allah is angry with any servant, He calls Gabriel and says: I am angry with such and such and you also become angry with him. And then Gabriel also becomes angry and then makes an announcement amongst the inhabitants of heaven: Verily Allah is angry with so-and so, so you also become angry with him, and thus they also become angry with him. Then he becomes the object of wrath on the earth also).” (Al-Bukhari)

His Role in Major Events:

4- Jibreel also accompanied the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the trip to Al-Quds and Al-Aqsa mosque. Then, he took him to the seven Heavens. The Prophet (peace be upon him) saw a beautiful and large palace there, it was glorious and brightening, he asked Jibreel: “This palace is so beautiful, for whom is it? Jibreel replied: It is for ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab. Then they both reached the Holly tree, Jibreel stopped and asked the Prophet to keep going alone. The Prophet looked at him and said: (O Brother Jibreel, how can you let me alone, how a brother leaves his brother in such place?”

Jibreel said: “This is the end for my ranking. If I continue one step, I will be burned. This is what Almighty Allah said:

[The Angels say], “There is not among us any except that he has a known position. (As-Saffat 37:146)

5- In the battle of Badr, Jibreel was there. After the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed to Almighty Allah to support the Muslim army who was one third in number compared to Quraish, the support came. They were five thousand of angels, led by Jibreel himself. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw them, he showed gladness and smiled then he told Abu Bakr: “The Angels came, they dress like Az-Zubair who was wearing yellow dress.”

Jibreel’s Presence in Medina and the End of His Visits

Jibreel became part of Medina life. The people used to feel secure that Jibreel is coming on frequent bases of revelation. Even he used to bring the news of the war between Persia and Roman Empire, and the result of that war, including the good news in couple of years. When the conspiracy on the family of Prophet started and led by Ibn Salool, Jibreel carried the news of innocence from Almighty Allah to Mother Aisha.

The Qur’an condemns those who were involved in the Slander:

“Indeed, those who came with falsehood are a group among you. Do not think it bad for you; rather it is good for you. For every person among them is what [punishment] he has earned from the sin, and he who took upon himself the greater portion thereof – for him is a great punishment.” (An-Nur 24:11)

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed away, sadness covered every house in Medina. All people on that gloomy day cried, among them were the lady who was like Prophet’s mother. She was Umm Hani’ who raised him up after the death of His mother. She said while crying: “The Prophet died, and Jibreel will not come to us any more” and the people around her cried. Her statement will remain immortal and will shake every Muslim who will hear it till the Day of Judgment.