Muhammad, the prophet and founder of Islam, is believed by Muslims to have received revelations from God through the angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years. These revelations were later compiled to form the Quran, the holy book of Islam. The first revelation is said to have come to Muhammad in 610 CE when he was meditating in the Cave of Hira near Mecca. This initial revelation marked the start of Muhammad’s prophethood and his divine mission to recite God’s message to humankind.
What was the first revelation to Muhammad?
According to Islamic belief, Muhammad was visited by the angel Gabriel while meditating in the Cave of Hira. Gabriel said to him “Recite in the name of your Lord who created!” (Quran 96:1). This first revelation startled Muhammad and he replied that he was unable to recite. Gabriel then tightly embraced him until he could recite the verses that had been revealed to him. These first revealed verses from the Quran read:
“Recite in the name of your Lord who created – Created man from a clinging substance. Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous – Who taught by the pen – Taught man that which he knew not.” (Quran 96:1-5)
This event, known as Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power), marks the beginning of Muhammad’s prophethood and his receiving of the divine revelations from God through Gabriel that would later form the Quran. It highlights that Muhammad was chosen by God to recite and spread His message, and the revelation emphasizes the power and generosity of God as creator and teacher of humankind.
What is the nature of the angel Gabriel in Islamic belief?
In Islam, Gabriel is one of the most important angels or heavenly beings. Gabriel’s name in Arabic, Jibril, means “servant of God.” He is referred to in the Quran as the Holy Spirit and is tasked with conveying messages and revelations from Allah to prophets and messengers:
“Say: Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel – it is none but Allah who has revealed to you the Quran as a guidance and good tidings to the faithful.” (Quran 2:97)
Gabriel is highly revered as the angel responsible for revealing God’s words to humanity. In Islam, he is considered one of the four main angels or archangels, along with Michael, Israfil and Azrael. Gabriel is also recognized in Christianity and Judaism as a messenger from God.
| Role | Description |
|---|---|
| Revealing the Quran | Gabriel revealed the verses of the Quran to Muhammad over 23 years which were later compiled into Islam’s holy book. |
| Messenger to prophets | Gabriel served as a messenger to prophets throughout history, conveying God’s revelations and wisdom to humanity. |
| Communication with God | Gabriel could ascend to and speak directly with Allah, enabling communication between the divine and human realms. |
| Protecting and advising prophets | Gabriel looked after and provided counsel to prophets like Muhammad when they faced opposition. |
Therefore, Gabriel holds great significance as the messenger who facilitated the transmission of the literal Word of God through revelation to the Prophet Muhammad.
What is the process of revelation in Islam?
According to Islamic belief, the process of revelation to prophets like Muhammad occurred in several ways:
- Dreams – Messages revealed by Gabriel in vivid dreams.
- Visions – Scenes or images shown by Gabriel to prophets while awake.
- Words – Actual spoken words conveyed word-for-word by Gabriel.
- Sounds – Prophets would sometimes hear the sound of bells or a voice, signaling a revelation.
- Physical – Gabriel would physically appear and deliver revelations.
For Muhammad, revelation came in mainly two forms. One was in a dream-like state, where it was as if the words were “implanted” directly into his mind. He would remember and repeat them precisely later.
The second method was when he would hear sounds like bells or buzzing and Gabriel would physically appear before him and convey the message.
After receiving a revelation, Muhammad would recite it to followers and scribes would write down and memorize the words. These revelations were later collected into chapters of the Quran after Muhammad’s death.
Steps in the Process of Revelation
- Gabriel descends with a revelation from God.
- Muhammad experiences sounds, dreams, or sees Gabriel appear.
- Gabriel communicates the message word-for-word.
- Muhammad memorizes and recites the revelation.
- Followers write down and memorize the words.
- Revelations are later compiled into the Quran.
This process highlights the special connection prophets like Muhammad had with Gabriel and God in order to receive the perfect verbatim words of revelation.
What kinds of revelations did Gabriel bring to Muhammad?
The revelations that Gabriel brought to the Prophet Muhammad over his lifetime can be categorized into two main types:
Quranic Verses
The revelations that would form the verses of the Holy Quran were the most important that Gabriel transmitted to Muhammad. These verses focused on essential Islamic beliefs about God, guidance for right conduct, stories of earlier prophets, and future events.
Situational Advice
In addition to verses of the Quran, Gabriel would also sometimes give Muhammad advice or information related to situations he was facing at that time in his life as a prophet and leader of the Muslim community. Some examples include:
- Instructions on the direction of the Qibla (prayer direction).
- Guidance on treaties, disputes, or wars.
- Commands to convey particular messages.
- Clarifications on spiritual matters.
- Reassurance and encouragement in difficult times.
This guidance aided Muhammad in applying divine wisdom to the practical challenges faced by him and the early Muslims.
When did Muhammad receive his first and last revelations?
According to Islamic tradition:
- First revelation: In the year 610 CE, when Muhammad was 40 years old, he received the first Quranic verses from Gabriel in the Cave of Hira.
- Last revelation: Just before Muhammad’s death in 632 CE, the last revelation came as a verse of the Quran ordering the perfection of faith and completion of God’s blessing. This was taken as God’s confirmation that the faith had been conveyed through the revelations.
Therefore, Muhammad received revelations from Gabriel regularly for about 22-23 years, starting at age 40 until shortly before he passed away. The first revelation marked the formal beginning of his prophethood.
What was the result of Gabriel’s revelations to Muhammad?
Gabriel’s revelations to Muhammad over more than two decades had far-reaching significance for Islam. The main impacts were:
- Quran – The revelations compiled into Islam’s sacred scripture that serves as the Word of God and primary source of guidance for Muslims.
- Prophethood – Muhammad recognized as God’s final prophet and bearer of God’s message based on Gabriel’s revelations affirming this role.
- Teachings – Fundamental Islamic beliefs, practices, morals, stories, and guidance conveyed in the revelations.
- Muslim Community – The revelations instructed Muhammad in building the early Muslim community and faith.
- Spiritual Connection – Muhammad’s night journey and ascent to heaven, guided by Gabriel, established a direct spiritual link between God and His prophet.
Therefore, Gabriel was the medium for transmitting God’s guidance through revelations that molded the prophet, teachings, scripture, and community of Islam.
How did Muhammad’s first encounter with Gabriel change him?
Muhammad’s first encounter with the angel Gabriel during the Night of Power completely transformed him psychologically and spiritually:
- He was frightened by the overpowering experience at first but gradually gained courage from his faith.
- It convinced him of his role as the Messenger of God and impelled him to start preaching.
- He felt purification and inner peace from connecting directly with the divine.
- It made him value faith over worldly interests and spurred him towards worship and meditation.
- He realized this special revelation was a huge responsibility and drove him to spread God’s truth.
- It gave him complete trust in Gabriel as the deliverer of guidance from God.
Therefore, this first direct experience with Gabriel and the start of revelations utterly transformed Muhammad’s psychology and energized him with a deep spirituality and commitment to fulfill his prophetic mission.
How did Gabriel provide comfort and support to Muhammad?
As the messenger revealing God’s words, Gabriel provided immense comfort and support to Muhammad in various ways:
- His very presence assured Muhammad of divine help and guidance.
- He gave encouragement when faced with opposition from elites and tribes in Mecca.
- He accompanied Muhammad on the Night Journey to Jerusalem and ascent to the heavens.
- His revelations provided moral and logistical guidance for political and social challenges.
- The revelations affirmed Muhammad’s status and purified his mind and soul.
- Gabriel promised paradise to early persecuted Muslims like Ammar and Bilal.
- His revelation of the Night of Power had a deeply calming spiritual impact.
Therefore, Gabriel was a constant unseen companion and supporter who bolstered Muhammad’s willpower, soothed him, and assured him of God’s blessings through some of his most difficult tribulations as prophet.
Conclusion
The angel Gabriel holds a central position in Islam as the medium by which God revealed the Holy Quran to the Prophet Muhammad over a period of 23 years. Starting with the pivotal first revelation in the Cave of Hira that marked Muhammad’s prophethood, Gabriel facilitated the transmission of God’s literal words through dreams, visions, sounds, and physical appearances. These revelations to Muhammad laid the foundations of the Quran, Islamic beliefs and practices, guidance for the Muslim community, and Muhammad’s own spiritual connection with the Divine. The angel Gabriel served as a channel for God’s word as well as a source of comfort, encouragement, and support to Muhammad through the immense hardships he faced as Islam’s final prophet and messenger.