Introduction to Islam

4. ANGELS THAT WE KNOW

In this chapter, we introduce specific angels that have been mentioned in the Quran or Sunnah, and we highlight some important things that we know about them.

Jibril

The most important angel is Jibril See He is respected and obeyed by all other angels. Allah (swt) says about him:

«This (Qur’an) is surely a Word brought by a noble Messenger (Jibril). He is powerful, and has a high position with the Lord of the Throne (Allah). He is obeyed (in the heavens) and is trustworthy.» (At-Takwir 81:19-21.)

NAMES OF JIBRIL

The English word for Jibril is Gabriel. Jibril is mentioned many times in the Quran, sometimes by name and sometimes by description.

Jibril is called in the Qur’an “ar-Ruh” which means “the Spirit” or “the Life”. The reason for this name is that Jibril is the angel who carried the teachings from Allah (swt) to the Prophets. These teachings gave life and spirit to the hearts of many people.

Jibril was also chosen to blow the life of the noble prophet ‘Isa into the body of his mother Maryam. He breathed into an opening in her clothes. The breath traveled into her body, and she became pregnant with ‘Isa (pbuh).

Jibril is also called “ar-Rih-ul-Amin” which means “the Trustworthy Spirit”. Allah (swt) says:

«And truly, this (Qur’an) is sent down from the Lord of the worlds. The Trustworthy Spirit has brought it down upon your heart (O Muhammad), so that you may be of the warners.» (Ash-Shu‘ara 26:192-194.)

Allah gave Jibril the most important responsibility of delivering His messages to the human messengers.

Jibril is also called “Rtth-ul-Qudus”, which means “the Spirit that Belongs to the Holy One.” “The Holy One” or “al-Qudus” is Allah (swt). Allah also called Jibril “Ruhuna”, which means, “the Spirit that Belongs to Us.”

THE FIRST MEETING WITH THE PROPHET

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) saw Jibril for the first time in Makkah. The Prophet (pbuh) was sitting alone at the entrance of a small cave on a mountainside when he saw

him up in the sky. Jibril then came down until he was very close to the Prophet (pbuh). Allah (swt) says:

«And he (Jibril) was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer. And He (Allah) revealed to His servant (Muhammad) what He revealed.» (An-Najm 53:8-9.)

‘Aishah said that the Prophet (pbuh) told her:

<l saw Jibril twice in his actual form in which Allah created him: once at Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (This is the “Destination Fern Tree” at the Throne.), and once in Ajyad (This is a place in Makkah.). I saw him flying down from heaven, having six-hundred wings, and his huge size covered all space from heaven to Earth.> (This is combined from al-Bukharl (3234-3235) and Muslim (177).)

Ibn Mas’ud reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said:

<Jibril came to me wearing green silk garments with pearls attached to them.> (This was recorded by Ahmad and ad-Daraqutni; it was verified to be authentic by al-Albani (as-Sahihah 3485).)

‘Abdullah Bin Mas’ud also reported:

<Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) saw a green screen covering the horizon. He saw Jibril in his (original) form, with six-hundred wings.> (This is combined from al-Bukhari (3232-3233) and Muslim (174).)

Of course, when Jibril took a human form, he did not have the wings, nor did he come in that large size. Rather, he resembled a handsome sahabi called Duhyah al-Kalbi. A’ishah and Jabir reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said:

<The person that I saw most similar to Jibril is Duhyah al-Kalbi.> (This was recorded by Muslim (167) and others (see as-Sahihah 1111).)

COMPANION DURING ISRA’ AND MIRAJ

Jibril accompanied the Prophet (pbuh) on his night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem. That journey is called al-Isra’. During the same night, he also went up with the Prophet (pbuh) on a journey to the heavens. That journey is called al-Mi‘raj

The story of al-Mi‘raj is told by Anas Bin Malik. He said that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:

The Prophet (pbuh) then described the Isra’ from Makkah to Jerusalem. Then he continued:

<He took my hand and ascended with me. When we reached the lowest heaven, Jibril said to its gatekeeper, “Open the gate.” The angel asked, “Who is it?” Jibril answered, “This is Jibril.”. The angel asked, “Is there anyone with you?” Jibril replied, “Yes, Muhammad (pbuh) is with me.” The angel asked, “Has he been summoned?” Jibril replied, “Yes.” So the gate was opened, and we went up into the lowest heaven.> (This was recorded by al-Bukhari (349).)

This hadith continues to tell the story of the trip of the Prophet (pbuh) with Jibril all the way up to the highest heaven. Jibril then showed him Jannah:

<I was then admitted into Jannah. I saw in it tents made of pearls, and I found that its soil is made of musk.”> (This was recorded by al-Bukhari (349), Muslim (163), and

others.)

The full story of al-Isra’ and al-Mi‘raj is long, and we hope to have it in a separate book, in-sha’ Allah.

TEACHING QURAN TO THE PROPHET

Jibril brought the Qur’an from Allah(swt) to the Prophet (pbuh). He taught the Prophet (PBUH) how to read it and understand it. Fatimah said that her father, the Prophet (pbuh), told her shortly before he died:

<Indeed, Jibril used to check my knowledge of the Qur’an once every year. But indeed, he has done this twice this year. I only see this as a sign that my time (of death) has come. And indeed, you are the first member of my household to follow me. So fear Allah and be patient. Indeed, I am the best role-model for you.> (This was recorded by al-Bukhari (3624), Muslim (2450), and others. The last sentence is not in al-Bukhari or Muslim, but is verified to be authentic by al-Albani (as-Sahihah 3524).)

Jibril usually taught the Qur’an to the Prophet (pbuh) during the month of Ramadan. Ibn ‘Abbas said:

<The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was the most generous person. And he was most

generous during Ramadan when Jibril came to him to teach him the Quran. Surely, the Messenger of Allah was then more generous than free wind.> (This was recorded by al-Bukhari (1902).)

TEACHING THE PROPHET AND THE MUSLIMS

Jibril gave much advice to the Prophet (pbuh) and taught him many important things. We have seen how he visited the Masjid of the Prophet (pbuh) and taught the Muslims about Islam, Iman, and Ihsan. (This incident is detailed in Knowing Allah, which is the first book of the Jman Made Easy series. )

In another example, ‘A’ishah said that the Prophet (pbuh) said:

<Jibril kept telling me to be kind to the neighbors until I thought that he would tell me to give them of the inheritance.> (This was recorded by al-Bukhari (6014) and Muslim (2624).)

Jibril taught the Prophet (pbuh) how to perform wudu’ and prayer. The Prophet (pbuh) said:

<In the beginning of my message, Jibril came to me and taught me how to perform wudu’ and salah.> (This was recorded by Ibn Majah, Ahmad, and others, from Zayd Bin Harithah. It was verified to be authentic by al-Albani (as-Sahihah 841).)

The Prophet (pbuh) also tells us that Jibril taught him how and when to perform the five prayers:

<Jibril descended and led me in the prayer. I prayed with him, then I prayed with him (the next prayer), then I prayed with him, then I prayed with him, then I prayed with him.> (This was recorded by al-Bukhari (3221), Muslim (610), and others from Abu Mas‘ud (8).)

Jibril and Mika’il also taught the Prophet (pbuh) how to read the Quran in seven different ways. (This was recorded by an-Nasa’i, Ahmad, and others, from Ubayy Bin Ka‘b. It was verified to be authentic by al-Albani (as-Sahihah 841).)

SUPPLICATING FOR THE PROPHET

Jibril taught the Prophet (pbuh) many dua’s and athkar for protection from harm. For example, Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (ra) reported that once Jibril visited the Prophet (pbuh) and asked him, “O Muhammad, are you sick?” He replied, <Yes>. Jibril then said:

<Bismillahi arqik, min kulli shay’in yu’ thik, min sharri kulli nafsin aw ‘ayni

hadsid; Allah yashfik; bismillahi arqik— With Allah’s Name I shelter you, from all that ails you, from the evil of any soul, and that of the envious eye. May Allah cure you; with Allah’s Name I shelter you.> (This was recorded by Muslim (2186).)

SAYING SALAM TO THE PROPHET’S WIVES

Jibril would often ask the Prophet (pbuh) to give salam to his wives. For example, Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said that Jibril told him:

<O Muhammad, give salam to Khadijah from her Lord.> (This was recorded by al-Bukhari (3820) and Muslim (2432).)

Similarly, ‘A’ishah reported that on a number of occasions, the Prophet (pbuh) would say to her:

<O ‘A’ishah, Jibril is here, and he gives you salam.> (This was recorded by al-Bukhari (3768) and Muslim (2447).)

Mika ‘il

Mika’il is one of the nearest angels to Allah. Some of the scholars believe that his jobs include bringing rain, plants, and food to the creation (all by Allah’s permission). We must love him and all the angels, as Allah (swt) says:

«Whoever is an enemy of Allah, His angels, His messengers, Jibril, and Mikal: surely, Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers.» (Al-Baqarah 2:98.)

Mika’il stopped smiling when Allah (swt) created hell. The Prophet (pbuh) said:

«l asked Jibril, “Why do I never see Mika’il smile?” Jibril replied, “Mika’il never smiled since the Fire was created.”» (This was recorded by Ahmad and Ibn Abi ad-Dunya from Anas. It was verified to be hasan by al-Albani (as-Sahihah 2511).)

Israfil and the Horn Blower

Israfil is not mentioned in the Qur’an, but is mentioned in the following du‘a’ that the Prophet (pbuh) sometimes said when he started his night prayers:

<Allahumma rabba jibrila wa-mika’ila wa-israfil, fatir as-samawati wal-ard, ‘alim al-ghaybi wash-shahadah, anta tahkumu bayna ‘ibadika fima kani fthi yakhtalifin. li-ma-khtulifa fihi min al-haqqi bi-ithnika, innaka tahdi man tasha’u tla siratin mustaqim—

Oh Allah! You are the Lord of Jibril, Mika’il, and Israfil. You are the Creator of the heavens and Earth. You know all about what we cannot see and what we can see. You judge among Your servants when they disagree. So guide me, by Your permission, to the truth when the people differ. You truly guide whom You will follow the Straight Path.!

When Allah wants to end the life in this world, a horn will be blown. Everyone will then die except for those whom Allah wants to keep alive. The horn will be blown again, and everyone will rise from death. Allah (swt) says:

«And the Horn will be blown. All who are in the heavens and on Earth will fall dead, except those whom Allah will spare. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will all be standing and looking around them.» (Az-Zumar 39:68.)

This Horn will be blown by an angel whom Allah appointed for this job. Abu’ Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said:

«Indeed, the eyesight of the holder of the Horn is ever-ready since he was given charge of it. He looks steadily toward the Throne, fearing (if he blinks) that the command will come before his glance returns to him. His eyes are like two bright planets.» (This was recorded by al-Hakim and was verified to be authentic by al-Albani (as-Sahihah 1078).)

Similarly, Abi Sa‘id al-Khudri and a number of other sahabah reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said:

<How can I feel secure when the holder of the Horn has placed the Horn against his mouth and has bent his forehead. He listens carefully, awaiting the command to blow so as to blow it.> (This was recorded by Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, and others. It was verified to be authentic by al-Albani (as-Sahihah 1079).)

There is no authentic hadith giving the name of the Horn Blower, but most ‘ulamd’ believe that it is Israfil.

By Muhammad Al-Jibaly

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John Doe

23/3/2019

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John Doe

23/3/2019

John Doe

23/3/2019

4. ANGELS THAT WE KNOW

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