In the stillness of the cave of Hira, as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) sat in solitude reflecting under the darkness of the night, the world as we knew it changed forever. A presence soon enveloped the cave not of a man, not of a jinn, but of a being made of light. It was not the earth that trembled, but the heart of the Final Messenger (SAW), for he was face-to-face with the most honored of all the angels.
It was Jibraeel (AS), the trusted angel of Allah (SWT), the bridge between the Divine and mankind, the one who carried the revelation from the Lord of the Worlds to the hearts of the prophets. While many of us know him as the angel who brought down The Quran, few reflect on why Jibraeel (AS) is so deeply revered in Islam. What is it about this noble angel that places him among the greatest of Allah (SWT)’s creation?
The highest honor that could ever be bestowed upon any creation is to carry the words of Allah (SWT), and this is exactly the role of Jibraeel (AS). Imagine the weight of that responsibility! Allah (SWT) says in The Quran, “Indeed, this Quran is the Word of Allah delivered by Jibraeel, a noble messenger-angel, full of power, held in honour by the Lord of the Throne, obeyed there in heaven, and trustworthy.” (The Clear Quran®, 81:19-21)
It must be prefaced that Allah (SWT)’s angels are masoom – innocent and pure, as they possess no free will and act only as Allah (SWT) commands. Allah (SWT) specifically entrusted Jibraeel (AS) with delivery of wahi, revelations, not only to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) but to every prophet who came before him [Nuh (AS), Ibrahim (AS), Musa (AS), and Isa (AS)]. In every divine mission, Jibraeel (AS) was the one chosen to carry the most sacred knowledge, the words of Allah (SWT) Himself.
To be the vessel of revelation is not a mere task, it is a rank that no creation, not even another angel, was given. His obedience, precision, and purity earned him the unshakeable trust of the Lord of the Throne.
Jibraeel (AS) was also a companion in the most difficult moments of prophetic history. When the Prophet (SAW) faced hardship, Jibraeel (AS) was there in Hira and shared the first words of The Quran with him. During Isra and Mi’raj, Jibraeel (AS) accompanied the Prophet (SAW) through the heavens. At the Battle of Badr, he descended with the angels to support the believers. When the Prophet (SAW) was rejected and cast out by his people, Jibraeel (AS) stood by him, offering both comfort and divine reassurance as commanded by Allah (SWT).
In a hadith, it is narrated that once Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) was sitting with the Messenger of Allah (SAW) when, one day, a man appeared wearing pristine white clothing and had jet black hair. There were no signs indicating that he was a traveler from a faraway place. Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) and others sitting with the Prophet (SAW) were not able to recognize the individual. The man came and sat in front of the Prophet (SAW), rested his knees by his knees, and placed his hands on his thighs. He said, “O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.” The Prophet (SAW) then explained, “Islam is to testify there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to establish prayer, to give charity, to fast the month of Ramadhan, and to perform pilgrimage to the House if a way is possible.” The man responded that the Prophet (SAW) spoke truthfully. He then asked a second question, “Tell me about faith?” Again, the Prophet (SAW) patiently replied, “Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in providence, its good and its harm.” Again, the man said the Prophet (SAW) spoke truthfully. He asked yet another question, “Tell me about excellence?”
The Prophet (SAW) said, “Excellence is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you do not see Him, He surely sees you.” The man then asked, “Tell me about the final hour?” The Prophet (SAW) explained, “The one asked does not know more than the one asking.” Again, the man asked, “Tell me about its signs?” The Prophet (SAW) answered, “The slave-girl will give birth to her mistress and you will see barefoot, naked, and dependent shepherds compete in the construction of tall buildings.” The man then left while everyone else remained. The Prophet (SAW) then said, “O Umar, do you know who he was?” Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) responded, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” The Prophet (SAW) then said, “Verily, he was Jibraeel who came to teach you your religion.”
Indeed, this archangel of Allah (SWT) was a teacher, a defender, a companion, and a sign of Allah (SWT)’s support.
It is said that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) saw Jibraeel (AS) in his true form twice, and both times it shook him. He described Jibraeel (AS) as having 600 wings, filling the horizon, covering the sky with light and awe. From each wing, precious gems and pearls would fall. The Quran alludes to the majesty when Allah (SWT) says, “He has been taught by one angel of mighty power and great perfection, who once rose to his true form […].” (The Clear Quran®, 53:5-6)
Unlike other angels, who may come in human form or unseen, the true form of Jibraeel (AS) is too overwhelming for all but one to behold. Our Prophet (SAW) was blessed to see him! This majestic form is both physical and spiritual. His nearness to Allah (SWT), his obedience and his truthfulness are what give him such luminous strength.
Jibraeel (AS) is one of only a few angels explicitly mentioned in The Quran, and one whose status is defended by Allah (SWT) Himself, “Whoever is an enemy of Allah, His angels, His messengers, Jibraeel, and Mikaeel, then let them know that Allah is certainly the enemy of the disbelievers.” (The Clear Quran®, 2:98)
The love and reverence the Prophet (SAW) had for Jibraeel (AS) is found in the love of the righteous. His name is remembered in the heavens and among the people of knowledge and taqwa on earth.
Though made of light and honored above many, Jibraeel (AS) is a servant of Allah (SWT) who never sways away from his duty. He never speaks except with permission, and he never delays the command of Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) says in The Quran, “O believers! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, overseen by formidable and severe angels, who never disobey whatever Allah orders—always doing as commanded.” (The Clear Quran®, 66:6)
He teaches us by his station that being near to Allah (SWT) is not a matter of status, but of sincere obedience. Jibraeel (AS) is honored not because he is made of light, but because he fulfills his mission with perfect submission.
In a world obsessed with celebrity and influence, Jibraeel (AS) reminds us of a different kind of greatness, the kind that lies in obedience, trust, loyalty, and servitude to Allah (SWT). He is revered not simply for his power, but for how he uses that power, in full service to the Divine Will.
He was the angel who stood by every prophet, who carried The Quran to the heart of Muhammad (SAW) and who will be there on the Day of Judgment, standing by the Throne of the Most Merciful.
May Allah (SWT) allow our hearts to love Jibraeel (AS) as the Prophet (SAW) loved him, and may we strive to emulate his unwavering loyalty to the commands of our Lord. “Say, O Prophet, ‘Whoever is an enemy of Jibraeel should know that he revealed this Quran to your heart by Allah’s Will, confirming what came before it — a guide and good news for the believers.” (The Clear Quran®, 2:97)
May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his family, and all those who follow in truth until the Last Day, Ameen!