Is Gabriel an Angel?By: Anita H
A number of Quranic indications elude to the possibility that Gabriel may not be an angel. If we read the Quran closely, we note that Gabriel is never called an angel. In addition, Gabriel is mentioned separately from the angels within the same verses, such as:
[2:98] Whoever is an enemy of God, and His angels, and His messengers, and Gabriel and Michael, then indeed God is an enemy to the disbelievers.
[66:4] If the two of you repent to God, then your hearts have listened. But if you support one another against him, then God is his Master and after that, Gabriel, the righteous believers and the angels will be his supporters.
If Gabriel is an angel, why is he mentioned separately from the angels?
The connection between Holy Ruh and Gabriel?
Gabriel is mentioned interchangeably with 2 titles: The Faithful Ruh and The Holy Ruh. In 2:97 we read that it was Gabriel who brought the Quran down to Muhammad
[2:97] Say, "Whoever is an enemy of Gabriel should know that he brought it down upon your heart with God's permission, confirming what came before it and a guidance and news for the believers."
Then in the following verses we read that the Holy Ruh brought down the Quran to Prophet Muhammad. By placing the verses together, it can be derived that gabriel is the Holy Ruh:
[16:102] Say, "The Holy Ruh has brought it down from your Lord truthfully to make firm those who believe and to provide guidance and good news for the Muslims."
[26:193] The Faithful Ruh brought it down.
The verdict of the above verses together indicate that Gabriel is also the Holy Ruh.
Gabriel together with the Angels perform God's command
[2:98] Whoever is an enemy of God, and His angels, and His messengers, and Gabriel and Michael, then indeed God is an enemy to the disbelievers.
[16:2] He brings down the angels with the Ruh by His command upon whomever He pleases of His servants: "You shall warn that there is no god except Me, so revere Me."
[66:4] If the two of you repent to God, then your hearts have listened. But if you support one another against him, then God is his Master and after that, Gabriel, the righteous believers and the angels will be his supporters.
[70:4] The angels and the Ruh ascend to Him in a day the measure of which was fifty thousand years.
[78:38] On the Day when the Ruh and the angels will stand in a row, none will speak except the one permitted by the Almighty and says what is right.
[97:4] The angels and the Ruh descend therein, with their Lord's permission, with every command.
Ramadhan 2018