whereat He God exalted be He revealed to His servant Gabriel what he Gabriel revealed to the Prophet s; the thing being revealed is not mentioned explicitly in exaltation of its great status.
He revealed to His servant what He revealed. Even though He said these words with the lid on and left them obscure so as to declare the great- ness of that state and the magnificence of MuṣṬafā's measure, it has been mentioned in some books that a group of the Companions asked MuṣṬafā what this revelation was. MuṣṬafā explained as much as their capacity was able to bear. He said that the Lord of the Worlds complained about his community, saying, “O MuḤammad, in holding to the covenant, I who am the Lord did not create any of the depths of hell for your community. But they, in breaking the covenant, are trying to throw themselves into hell. O MuḤammad, I am the Exalter and the Abaser. He is exalted whom I exalt, and He is abased whom I abase. They are seeking exaltation from elsewhere and they see abasement com- ing from elsewhere. O MuḤammad, I do not ask them today for tomorrow's deeds, but today they seek from Me tomorrow's provision. O MuḤammad, the provision that I have put in their name I will not give to another, but they give the deeds that are My rightful due and fitting for Me to others through eye-service. O MuḤammad, the blessings come from Me and they show gratitude to others. O MuḤammad, nonetheless, I am seeking for pretexts to forgive your community. O MuḤammad, were it not that I love to rebuke them and talk with them, I would not call them to account for anything. O MuḤammad, I did four things with previous communities that I will not do with your community: I took a people into the earth, I changed a people's form, I rained down stones on a people, and I destroyed a people with the flames of fire. Because of your eminence and rank, I will not do any of these with your community. O MuḤammad, I secluded you with Me to show the people who you are and to show you who I am.” When God's Messenger saw all this honoring and exalting from the Exalted Threshold, he said, “Lord God, bestow all of my community on me!” The command came, “O MuḤammad, tonight you came alone. As a favor for your coming to this feast, I bestow upon you a third of that. Tomorrow at the resurrection in the Greatest Gather- ing, I will bestow the rest on you. Then the world's folk will know your level and rank with Me.” And God is the success-giver and helper!
He revealed to His servant what He revealed. Even though He said these words with the lid on and left them obscure so as to declare the great- ness of that state and the magnificence of MuṣṬafā's measure, it has been mentioned in some books that a group of the Companions asked MuṣṬafā what this revelation was. MuṣṬafā explained as much as their capacity was able to bear. He said that the Lord of the Worlds complained about his community, saying, “O MuḤammad, in holding to the covenant, I who am the Lord did not create any of the depths of hell for your community. But they, in breaking the covenant, are trying to throw themselves into hell. O MuḤammad, I am the Exalter and the Abaser. He is exalted whom I exalt, and He is abased whom I abase. They are seeking exaltation from elsewhere and they see abasement com- ing from elsewhere. O MuḤammad, I do not ask them today for tomorrow's deeds, but today they seek from Me tomorrow's provision. O MuḤammad, the provision that I have put in their name I will not give to another, but they give the deeds that are My rightful due and fitting for Me to others through eye-service. O MuḤammad, the blessings come from Me and they show gratitude to others. O MuḤammad, nonetheless, I am seeking for pretexts to forgive your community. O MuḤammad, were it not that I love to rebuke them and talk with them, I would not call them to account for anything. O MuḤammad, I did four things with previous communities that I will not do with your community: I took a people into the earth, I changed a people's form, I rained down stones on a people, and I destroyed a people with the flames of fire. Because of your eminence and rank, I will not do any of these with your community. O MuḤammad, I secluded you with Me to show the people who you are and to show you who I am.” When God's Messenger saw all this honoring and exalting from the Exalted Threshold, he said, “Lord God, bestow all of my community on me!” The command came, “O MuḤammad, tonight you came alone. As a favor for your coming to this feast, I bestow upon you a third of that. Tomorrow at the resurrection in the Greatest Gather- ing, I will bestow the rest on you. Then the world's folk will know your level and rank with Me.” And God is the success-giver and helper!
He revealed to His servant what He revealed. Even though He said these words with the lid on and left them obscure so as to declare the great- ness of that state and the magnificence of MuṣṬafā's measure, it has been mentioned in some books that a group of the Companions asked MuṣṬafā what this revelation was. MuṣṬafā explained as much as their capacity was able to bear. He said that the Lord of the Worlds complained about his community, saying, “O MuḤammad, in holding to the covenant, I who am the Lord did not create any of the depths of hell for your community. But they, in breaking the covenant, are trying to throw themselves into hell. O MuḤammad, I am the Exalter and the Abaser. He is exalted whom I exalt, and He is abased whom I abase. They are seeking exaltation from elsewhere and they see abasement com- ing from elsewhere. O MuḤammad, I do not ask them today for tomorrow's deeds, but today they seek from Me tomorrow's provision. O MuḤammad, the provision that I have put in their name I will not give to another, but they give the deeds that are My rightful due and fitting for Me to others through eye-service. O MuḤammad, the blessings come from Me and they show gratitude to others. O MuḤammad, nonetheless, I am seeking for pretexts to forgive your community. O MuḤammad, were it not that I love to rebuke them and talk with them, I would not call them to account for anything. O MuḤammad, I did four things with previous communities that I will not do with your community: I took a people into the earth, I changed a people's form, I rained down stones on a people, and I destroyed a people with the flames of fire. Because of your eminence and rank, I will not do any of these with your community. O MuḤammad, I secluded you with Me to show the people who you are and to show you who I am.” When God's Messenger saw all this honoring and exalting from the Exalted Threshold, he said, “Lord God, bestow all of my community on me!” The command came, “O MuḤammad, tonight you came alone. As a favor for your coming to this feast, I bestow upon you a third of that. Tomorrow at the resurrection in the Greatest Gather- ing, I will bestow the rest on you. Then the world's folk will know your level and rank with Me.” And God is the success-giver and helper!
He revealed to His servant what He revealed. Even though He said these words with the lid on and left them obscure so as to declare the great- ness of that state and the magnificence of MuṣṬafā's measure, it has been mentioned in some books that a group of the Companions asked MuṣṬafā what this revelation was. MuṣṬafā explained as much as their capacity was able to bear. He said that the Lord of the Worlds complained about his community, saying, “O MuḤammad, in holding to the covenant, I who am the Lord did not create any of the depths of hell for your community. But they, in breaking the covenant, are trying to throw themselves into hell. O MuḤammad, I am the Exalter and the Abaser. He is exalted whom I exalt, and He is abased whom I abase. They are seeking exaltation from elsewhere and they see abasement com- ing from elsewhere. O MuḤammad, I do not ask them today for tomorrow's deeds, but today they seek from Me tomorrow's provision. O MuḤammad, the provision that I have put in their name I will not give to another, but they give the deeds that are My rightful due and fitting for Me to others through eye-service. O MuḤammad, the blessings come from Me and they show gratitude to others. O MuḤammad, nonetheless, I am seeking for pretexts to forgive your community. O MuḤammad, were it not that I love to rebuke them and talk with them, I would not call them to account for anything. O MuḤammad, I did four things with previous communities that I will not do with your community: I took a people into the earth, I changed a people's form, I rained down stones on a people, and I destroyed a people with the flames of fire. Because of your eminence and rank, I will not do any of these with your community. O MuḤammad, I secluded you with Me to show the people who you are and to show you who I am.” When God's Messenger saw all this honoring and exalting from the Exalted Threshold, he said, “Lord God, bestow all of my community on me!” The command came, “O MuḤammad, tonight you came alone. As a favor for your coming to this feast, I bestow upon you a third of that. Tomorrow at the resurrection in the Greatest Gather- ing, I will bestow the rest on you. Then the world's folk will know your level and rank with Me.” And God is the success-giver and helper!
He revealed to His servant what He revealed.Even though He said these words with the lid on and left them obscure so as to declare the great- ness of that state and the magnificence of MuṣṬafā's measure, it has been mentioned in some books that a group of the Companions asked MuṣṬafā what this revelation was. MuṣṬafā explained as much as their capacity was able to bear. He said that the Lord of the Worlds complained about his community, saying,�O MuḤammad, in holding to the covenant, I who am the Lord did not create any of the depths of hell for your community. But they, in breaking the covenant, are trying to throw themselves into hell. O MuḤammad, I am the Exalter and the Abaser. He is exalted whom I exalt, and He is abased whom I abase. They are seeking exaltation from elsewhere and they see abasement com- ing from elsewhere. O MuḤammad, I do not ask them today for tomorrow's deeds, but today they seek from Me tomorrow's provision. O MuḤammad, the provision that I have put in their name I will not give to another, but they give the deeds that are My rightful due and fitting for Me to others through eye-service. O MuḤammad, the blessings come from Me and they show gratitude to others. O MuḤammad, nonetheless, I am seeking for pretexts to forgive your community. O MuḤammad, were it not that I love to rebuke them and talk with them, I would not call them to account for anything. O MuḤammad, I did four things with previous communities that I will not do with your community: I took a people into the earth, I changed a people's form, I rained down stones on a people, and I destroyed a people with the flames of fire. Because of your eminence and rank, I will not do any of these with your community. O MuḤammad, I secluded you with Me to show the people who you are and to show you who I am.�When God's Messenger saw all this honoring and exalting from the Exalted Threshold, he said, �Lord God, bestow all of my community on me!�The command came, �O MuḤammad, tonight you came alone. As a favor for your coming to this feast, I bestow upon you a third of that. Tomorrow at the resurrection in the Greatest Gather- ing, I will bestow the rest on you. Then the world's folk will know your level and rank with Me.� And God is the success-giver and helper!
علَّم محمدًا صلى الله عليه وسلم مَلَك شديد القوة، ذو منظر حسن، وهو جبريل عليه السلام، الذي ظهر واستوى على صورته الحقيقية للرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم في الأفق الأعلى، وهو أفق الشمس عند مطلعها، ثم دنا جبريل من الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم، فزاد في القرب، فكان دنوُّه مقدار قوسين أو أقرب من ذلك. فأوحى الله سبحانه وتعالى إلى عبده محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم ما أوحى بواسطة جبريل عليه السلام. ما كذب قلب محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم ما رآه بصره.
معناه فأوحى جبريل إلى عبدالله محمد ما أوحى أو فأوحى الله إلى عبده محمد ما أوحى بواسطة جبريل وكلا المعنيين صحيح وقد ذكر عن سعيد بن جبير في قوله تعالى "فأوحى إلى عبده ما أوحى" قال أوحى الله إليه: ألم أجدك يتيما - ورفعنا لك ذكرك. وقال غيره أوحى الله إليه أن الجنة محرمة على الأنبياء حتى تدخلها وعلى الأمم حتى تدخلها أمتك.
وقوله : ( فأوحى إلى عَبْدِهِ مَآ أوحى ) أى : فأوحى جبريل - عليه السلام -إلى عبد الله ورسوله محمد - صلى الله عليه وسلم - ما أوحى من قرآن كريم ، ومن هدى حكيم .فالضمير فى قوله : ( فأوحى ) أى : جبريل ، لأن الحديث فى شأنه وإيحاؤه إنما هو بأمر الله - تعالى - ومشيئته ، ويرى بعضهم أنه يعود إلى الله - تعالى - .قال الآلوسى : قوله : ( فأوحى ) أى : جبريل ( إلى عَبْدِهِ ) أى : عبد الله ، وهو النبى - صلى الله عليه وسلم - ، والإضمار - ولم يجر له - تعالى - ذكر ، لكونه فى غاية الظهور ، ومثله كثير فى الكلام ، ومنه : ( وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ الله الناس بِمَا كَسَبُواْ مَا تَرَكَ على ظَهْرِهَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ . . ) ( مَآ أوحى ) أى : الذى أوحاه ، والضمير المستتر لجبريل - أيضا - .وقيل : المضير المستتر لله - تعالى - . أى : أوحى جبريل إلى عبد الله ، ما أوحاه الله إلى جبريل .والأول مروى عن الحسن ، وهو الأحسن .وقيل : ضمير أوحى الأول والثانى لله - تعالى - والمراد بالعبد جبريل - عليه السلام - وهو كما ترى . . .وأبهم - سبحانه - ما أوحاه ، لتفخيم شأنه ، وإعلاء قدره ، حتى لكأنه لا تحيط به عبارة ، ولا يحده الوصف ، وشبيه بهذا التعبير قوله - تعالى - : ( فَأَتْبَعَهُمْ فِرْعَوْنُ بِجُنُودِهِ فَغَشِيَهُمْ مِّنَ اليم مَا غَشِيَهُمْ ) وعبر - سبحانه - عن رسوله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - بعبده ، وأضافه إليه ، للتشريف والتكريم ، ولبيان أنه عبد من عباده - تعالى - الذين اصطفاهم لحمل رسالته ، وتبليغ ما أوحاه إليه .
وقوله ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى ) يقول: فكان جبرائيل من محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم على قدر قوسين, أو أدنى من ذلك, يعني: أو أقرب منه, يقال: هو منه قاب قوسين, وقيب قوسين, وقيد قوسين, وقادَ قوسين, وقَدَى قوسين, كل ذلك بمعنى: قدر قوسين.وقيل: إن معنى قوله ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ ) أنه كان منه حيث الوتر من القوس.* ذكر من قال ذلك:حدثني محمد بن عمرو, قال: ثنا أبو عاصم, قال: ثنا عيسى; وحدثني الحارث, قال: ثنا الحسن, قال: ثنا ورقاء جميعا, عن ابن أبي نجيح, عن مجاهد, قوله ( قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ ) قال: حيث الوتر من القوس.حدثنا ابن عبد الأعلى, قال: ثنا ابن ثور, عن معمر, عن الحسن ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ ) قال: قِيد قوسين.وقال ذلك قتادة.حدثنا ابن حُميد, قال: ثنا مهران, عن سفيان, عن خصِيف, عن مجاهد ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ ) قال: قِيدَ, أو قدرَ قوسين.حدثنا أبو كُريب, قال: ثنا أبو معاوية, عن إبراهيم بن طهمان, عن عاصم, عن زِرّ, عن عبد الله فكان قاب قوسين أو أدنى: قال: دنا جبريل عليه السلام منه حتى كان قدر ذراع أو ذراعين.حدثنا ابن حُميد, قال: ثنا حكام, عن عمرو, عن عاصم, عن أبي رزين ( قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ ) قال: ليست بهذه القوس, ولكن قدر الذراعين أو أدنى; والقاب: هو القيد.واختلف أهل التأويل في المعنيّ بقوله ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى ) فقال بعضهم: في ذلك, بنحو الذي قلنا فيه.حدثنا ابن أبي الشوارب, قال: ثنا عبد الواحد بن زياد, قال: ثنا سليمان الشيباني, قال: ثنا زرّ بن حُبيش, قال: قال عبد الله في هذه الآية ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى ) قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: " رأيْتُ جبريلَ لَهُ سِتُّ مِئةِ جنَاحٍ".حدثنا عبد الحميد بن بيان السكري, قال: ثنا خالد بن عبد الله, عن الشيباني, عن زرّ, عن ابن مسعود في قوله ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى ) قال: رأى جبرائيل ست مئة جناح في صورته.حدثنا محمد بن عبيد, قال: ثنا قبيص بن ليث الأسدي, عن الشيباني, عن زرّ بن حبيش, عن عبد الله بن مسعود ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى ) قال: رأى النبيّ صلى الله عليه وسلم جبريل عليه السلام له ستّ مئة جناح.حدثنا ابن وكيع, قال: ثنا ابن وهب, قال: ثنا ابن لهيعة, عن أبي الأسود, عن عروة, عن عائشة قالت: كان أوّل شأن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه رأى في منامه جبريل عليه السلام بأجياد, ثم إنه خرج ليقضي حاجته, فصرخ به جبريل: يا محمد; فنظر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يمينا وشمالا فلم ير شيئا ثلاثا; ثم خرج فرآه, فدخل في الناس, ثم خرج, أو قال: ثم نظر " أنا أشك ", فرآه, فذلك قوله: وَالنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَى * مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَى * وَمَا يَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَى ... إلى قوله: ( فَتَدَلَّى ) جبريل إلى محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم ,( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى ) يقول: القاب: نصف الأصبع. وقال بعضهم: ذراعين كان بينهما.حدثنا ابن حُميد, قال: ثنا مهران, عن سفيان, عن الشيباني, عن زرّ بن حبيش, عن ابن مسعود ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى ) قال: له ستّ مئة جناح, يعني جبريل عليه السلام .حدثنا إبراهيم بن سعيد, قال: ثنا أبو أسامة, قال: ثنا زكريا, عن ابن أشوع, عن عامر, عن مسروق, قال: قلت لعائشة: ما قوله ( ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّى * فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى * فَأَوْحَى إِلَى عَبْدِهِ مَا أَوْحَى ) فقالت: إنما ذلك جبريل, كان يأتيه في صورة الرجال, وإنه أتاه في هذه المرّة في صورته, فسدّ أفق السماء.وقال آخرون: بل الذي دنا فكان قاب قوسين أو أدنى: جبريل من ربه.* ذكر من قال ذلك:حدثني محمد بن عمرو, قال: ثنا أبو عاصم, قال: ثنا عيسى؛ وحدثني الحارث, قال: ثنا الحسن, قال: ثنا ورقاء جميعا, عن ابن أبي نجيح, عن مجاهد ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى ) قال: الله من جبريل عليه السلام .وقال آخرون: بل كان الذي كان قاب قوسين أو أدنى: محمد من ربه.* ذكر من قال ذلك:حدثنا ابن حُميد, قال: ثنا مهران, عن موسى بن عبيد الحميري , عن محمد بن كعب القرظي, عن بعض أصحاب النبيّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: قلنا يا نبيّ الله: هل رأيت ربك؟ قال: " لَمْ أرَهُ بعَيْني, ورأيتُهُ بفُؤَادي مَرَّتَيْن ", ثم تلا( ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّى ) .حدثنا خلاد بن أسلم, قال: أخبرنا النضر، قال: أخبرنا محمد بن عمرو بن علقمة بن وقاص الليثيّ, عن كثير, عن أنس بن مالك, قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: " لَمَّا عُرِجَ بي, مَضَى جِبْريل حتى جاءَ الجَنَّةَ, قالَ: فَدَخَلْتُ فأُعْطيتُ الكَوْثَر, ثُمَّ مَضَى حتى جاءَ السِّدْرَةَ المُنْتَهَى, فَدَنَا رَبُّكَ فَتَدَلَّى, فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى, فَأَوْحَى إِلَى عَبْدِهِ مَا أَوْحَى ".
( فأوحى ) أي : أوحى الله ( إلى عبده ) محمد - صلى الله عليه وسلم - ما أوحى ، قال ابن عباس في رواية عطاء ، والكلبي ، والحسن ، والربيع ، وابن زيد : معناه : أوحى جبريل إلى رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - ما أوحى إليه ربه - عز وجل - .قال سعيد بن جبير : أوحى إليه : " ألم يجدك يتيما فآوى " ( الضحى - 6 ) إلى قوله تعالى : " ورفعنا لك ذكرك " ، ( الشرح - 4 ) وقيل : أوحى إليه : إن الجنة محرمة على الأنبياء حتى تدخلها أنت ، وعلى الأمم حتى تدخلها أمتك .
فَأَوْحَى إِلَى عَبْدِهِ مَا أَوْحَى (10(وتفريع { فأوحى إلى عبده ما أوحى } على قوله : { فتدلى فكان قاب قوسين } المفرّع على المفرّع على قوله : { علمه شديد القوى } ، وهذا التفريع هو المقصود من البيان وما قبله تمهيد له ، وتمثيل لأحوال عجيبة بأقرب ما يفهمه الناس لقصد بيان إمكان تلقّي الوحي عن الله تعالى إذ كان المشركون يحيلونه فبينّ لهم إمكان الوحي بوصف طريق الوحي إجمالاً ، وهذه كيفية من صور الوحي .وضمير { أوحى } عائد إلى الله تعالى المعلوم من قوله : { إن هو إلا وحي يوحى } كما تقدم ، والمعنى : فأوحى الله إلى عَبده محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم وهذا كاففٍ في هذا المقام لأن المقصود إثبات الإِيحاء لإِبطال إنكارهم إياه .وإيثار التعبير عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بعنوان { عبده } إظهار في مقام الإِضمار في اختصاص الإِضافة إلى ضمير الجلالة من التشريف .وفي قوله : { ما أوحى } إبهام لتفخيم ما أوحى إليه .
{ فَأَوْحَى } الله بواسطة جبريل عليه السلام { إِلَى عَبْدِهِ } محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم { مَا أَوْحَى } أي: الذي أوحاه إليه من الشرع العظيم، والنبأ المستقيم.
قوله تعالى : فأوحى إلى عبده ما أوحى تفخيم للوحي الذي أوحي إليه . وتقدم معنى الوحي وهو إلقاء الشيء بسرعة ومنه : الوحاء الوحاء . والمعنى فأوحى الله تعالى إلى عبده محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم ما أوحى . وقيل : المعنى فأوحى إلى عبده جبريل عليه السلام ما أوحى . وقيل : المعنى فأوحى جبريل إلى عبد الله محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم ما أوحى إليه ربه ؛ قاله الربيع والحسن وابن زيد وقتادة . قال قتادة : أوحى الله إلى جبريل وأوحى جبريل إلى محمد . ثم قيل : هذا الوحي هل هو مبهم ؟ لا نطلع عليه نحن وتعبدنا بالإيمان به على الجملة ، أو هو معلوم مفسر ؟ قولان ؛ وبالثاني قال سعيد بن جبير ، قال : أوحى الله إلى محمد : ألم أجدك يتيما فآويتك ! ألم أجدك ضالا فهديتك ! ألم أجدك عائلا فأغنيتك ! ألم نشرح لك صدرك ووضعنا عنك وزرك الذي أنقض ظهرك ورفعنا لك ذكرك . وقيل : أوحى الله إليه أن الجنة حرام على الأنبياء حتى تدخلها يا محمد ، وعلى الأمم حتى تدخلها أمتك .
The experience of the Prophet with the angels and his being taught the revelation have been explained in the above verses. For corroborating the reality of these events the statement of the Quran is enough. The Quran’s miraculous discourse proves that it is the Book of God. And every statement of that book which is established as God’s Book shall have to be accepted as authentic.
فَأَوْحَىٰ إِلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ مَا أَوْحَىٰ (Thus He [ Allah ] revealed to His slave what He revealed... 53:10) The subject pronoun understood in the past perfect verb awha (He revealed) refers to Allah, and so does the pronoun in ` abdihi (His slave), and the verse means: Allah revealed to His servant Muhammad ﷺ whatever He revealed through the medium of Jibra'il (علیہ السلام) by attaching him so intimately to the Holy Prophet ﷺ .
An Academic Problem and its Solution
Here an apparent problem arises which at best can be described as academic, because it does not relate to a real situation. According to an overwhelming consensus of the Mufassirin and Muhaddithin, all the pronouns in the above verses refer to Jibra'il (علیہ السلام) . Likewise, all the pronouns in the sentences from fastawa to فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰ fa kana qaba qawsaini aw adna refer to him. The forthcoming verses, according to consensus of the commentators, also speak of Jibra'il (علیہ السلام) . Therefore, referring the intervening pronouns of awha and ` abdihi is contrary to the context and causes intishar-ud-dama'ir (inconsistency of the pronouns).
Our honourable mentor Maulana Sayyid Muhammad Anwar Shah Kashmiri (رح) has responded to this problem thus: There is neither any contextual confusion here, nor any pronominal ambiguity. In point of fact, early part of Surah An-Najm in verse [ 4] it was mentioned إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَىٰ (It is not but revelation revealed [ to him ]...4) '. Now in verse [ 10] أَوْحَىٰ إِلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ مَا أَوْحَىٰ (So He [ Allah ] revealed to His servant whatever He revealed.) the same theme is continued, reinforced and consolidated in this way: Obviously, the One who sends down revelation is Allah Ta’ ala and none else. However, there is a medium through whom the revelation is delivered to the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ . Verse [ 4] may be treated as a preamble to the theme of revelation. Verses [ 5-9] describe the strong qualities and other characteristics of the medium of revelation Jibra'il Ali. Verse [ 10] is thus the complement or epilogue to the preamble. In this verse there cannot be intishar-ud-dama'ir because the antecedents of the pronouns in verse 10 cannot possibly be anyone but Allah. Thus the antecedent of these pronouns was determined from the very outset. In the phrase maawha 'whatever He revealed' is obscure or vague. Ma [ whatever ] is sometimes used to denote honour, surprise, magnificence, grandeur, splendor, opulence or for emphasis. Here it is employed to indicate 'the majestic or glorious status of revelation'.
It is learnt from a Hadith recorded in chapter [ 1] of the Sahih of Bukhari, that the revelation which was sent down at this time was the initial verses of Surah Al-Muddaththir [ Chapter 74]. Allah knows best!
Thus marked by thematic and structural coherence, the Qur'an confirms that it is an absolutely true and veritable words of Allah. This may be compared to the Muhaddithins' study of Hadith. In order to verify the authenticity of the Traditions of the Holy Prophet ﷺ they trace in full the chains of authorities from themselves [ that is, the last of the authorities ] to the Holy Prophet ﷺ . In these verses Allah sets up the chain of authorities: [ 1] Allah is the Muhi, that is, He is the Ultimate Source from where the revelation originates; and [ 2] Jibra'il (علیہ السلام) is the transmitting authority between Allah and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ . The above verses describe Jibra'il (علیہ السلام) as magnificent in status and mighty in power: This confirms his honesty and integrity as the transmitting authority.
(And He revealed unto His slave) Gabriel (that which He revealed) to His slave Muhammad (pbuh); and it is said this means: and He revealed to His slave Muhammad (pbuh) that which He revealed.
The Trustworthy Angel brought Allah's Revelation to the Trustworthy Messenger
Allah the Exalted states that the Message His servant and Messenger Muhammad ﷺ brought to people was taught to him by,
شَدِيدُ الْقُوَى
(mighty in power), he is Jibril, peace be upon him,
إِنَّهُ لَقَوْلُ رَسُولٍ كَرِيمٍ ذِى قُوَّةٍ عِندَ ذِى الْعَرْشِ مَكِينٍ مُّطَـعٍ ثَمَّ أَمِينٍ
(Verily, this is the Word a most honorable messenger, owner of power, with (Allah) the Lord of the Throne, obeyed (by the angels) and trustworthy.)(81:19-21) Allah said here,
ذُو مِرَّةٍ
(Dhu Mirrah), meaning, he is mighty in power, according to Mujahid, Al-Hasan and Ibn Zayd. In an authentic Hadith from `Abdullah bin `Umar and Abu Hurayrah, the Prophet said,
«لَا تَحِلُّ الصَّدَقَةُ لِغَنِيَ وَلَا لِذِي مِرَّةٍ سَوِي»
(Charity is not allowed for a rich person nor Dhu Mirrah (a strong person) of sound mind and body.) Allah said;
فَاسْتَوَى
(then he Istawa (rose).) this refers to the angel Jibril, according to Al-Hasan, Mujahid, Qatadah and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas,
وَهُوَ بِالاٍّفُقِ الاٌّعْلَى
(While he was in the highest part of the horizon.) meaning, Jibril rose to the highest part of the horizon, according to `Ikrimah and several others; `Ikrimah said, "The highest horizon where the morning comes from." Mujahid said, "It is (the place of) sunrise." Qatadah said, "That from which the day comes." Ibn Zayd and several others said similarly. Imam Ahmad recorded that Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, "The Messenger of Allah saw Jibril in his original shape having six hundred wings, each wing filling the side of the horizon, with a colorful array, and pearls and rubies falling from each wing as much as only Allah knows." Only Imam Ahmad collected this Hadith. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah bin `Abbas said, "The Prophet asked Jibril to appear himself to him in his original shape and Jibril said to him, `Invoke your Lord.' The Prophet invoked his Lord the Exalted and Most Honored, and a great huge figure appeared to him from the east and kept rising and spreading. When the Prophet saw Jibril in his original shape, he was knocked unconscious. Jibril came down and revived the Prophet and wiped the saliva off of his cheeks."' Only Ahmad collected this Hadith.
Meaning of "at a distance of two bows' length or less
Allah's statement,
فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى
(And was at a distance of two bows` length or less.) means, Jibril came closer to Muhammad ﷺ when Jibril was descending to him on earth. At that time, the distance between them became only two bow lengths, when the bows are extended to full length, according to Mujahid and Qatadah. It was said that the meaning here is the distance between the bow's string and its wood center. Allah's statement,
أَوْ أَدْنَى
(or less) indicates that the distance was as only as far described, not more. This type of usage is found in several instances in the Qur'an, such as,
ثُمَّ قَسَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ مِّن بَعْدِ ذلِكَ فَهِىَ كَالْحِجَارَةِ أَوْ أَشَدُّ قَسْوَةً
(Then, after that, your hearts were hardened and became as stones or even worse in hardness.)(2:74) The Ayah says that their hearts became not softer than rocks, but as hard and difficult as rocks, and more. There is a similar Ayah,
يَخْشَوْنَ النَّاسَ كَخَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ أَوْ أَشَدَّ خَشْيَةً
(fear men as they fear Allah or even more.)(4:77), and Allah's statement,
وَأَرْسَلْنَـهُ إِلَى مِاْئَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ
(And We sent him to hundred thousand (people) or even more.)(37:147), indicating that they were not less than a hundred thousand, but that amount or more. Therefore, this verifies the facts mentioned, leaving no doubt or means of refute. Similarly, Allah said,
فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى
(And was at a distance of two bow lengths or less.) We stated before that it was Jibril who came down near the Prophet , according to `A'ishah, the Mother of the faithful, `Abdullah bin Mas`ud, Abu Dharr and Abu Hurayrah. We will mention their statements about this soon afterwards, Allah willing. Ibn Jarir recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said about this Ayah,
فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى
(And was at a distance of two bow lengths or less.) "Allah's Messenger ﷺ said,
«رَأَيْتُ جِبْرِيلَ لَهُ سِتُّمِائَةِ جَنَاح»
(I saw Jibril; he had six hundred wings.)" Al-Bukhari recorded that Talq bin Ghannam said that Za'idah said that Ash-Shaybani said, "I asked Zirr about the Ayah,
فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى - فَأَوْحَى إِلَى عَبْدِهِ مَآ أَوْحَى
(And was at a distance of two bow lengths or less. So (Allah) revealed to His servant whatever He revealed.) Zirr said, "Abdullah narrated to us that Muhammad ﷺ saw Jibril having six hundred wings." Allah's statement,
فَأَوْحَى إِلَى عَبْدِهِ مَآ أَوْحَى
(So he revealed to His servant whatever He revealed.) means, Jibril conveyed to Allah's servant Muhammad ﷺ whatever he conveyed. Or, the meaning here could be: Allah revealed to His servant Muhammad ﷺ whatever He revealed through Jibril. Both meanings are correct. Sa`id bin Jubayr said about Allah's statement,
فَأَوْحَى إِلَى عَبْدِهِ مَآ أَوْحَى
(So He revealed to His servant whatever He revealed.) "Allah revealed to him,
أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيماً
(Did He not find you an orphan.)(93:6), and,
وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ
(And have We not raised high your fame)(94:4)" Someone else said, "Allah revealed to the Prophet that the Prophets will not enter Paradise until he enters it first, and the nations will not enter it until his Ummah enters it first."
Did the Prophet see His Lord during the Night of Isra
Allah said next,
مَا كَذَبَ الْفُؤَادُ مَا رَأَى - أَفَتُمَـرُونَهُ عَلَى مَا يَرَى
(The heart lied not in what he saw. Will you then dispute with him about what he saw) Muslim recorded from Ibn `Abbas about:
مَا كَذَبَ الْفُؤَادُ مَا رَأَى
(The heart lied not in what he saw), and,
وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَى
(And indeed he saw him at a second descent.) "He saw Allah twice in his heart." Simak reported a similar from `Ikrimah from Ibn `Abbas. Abu Salih, As-Suddi and several others said similarly that the Prophet saw Allah twice in his heart.Masruq said, "I went to `A'ishah and asked her, `Did Muhammad ﷺ see his Lord' She said, `You said something that caused my hair to rise!' I said, `Behold!' and recited this Ayah,
لَقَدْ رَأَى مِنْ ءَايَـتِ رَبِّهِ الْكُبْرَى
(Indeed he saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.) She said, `Where did your mind wander It was Jibril. Whoever says to you that Muhammad ﷺ saw his Lord, or hid any part of what he was commanded (i.e., Allah's Message), or knew any of the five things which only Allah knows,
إِنَّ اللَّهَ عِندَهُ عِلْمُ السَّاعَةِ وَيُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ
(Verily, Allah, with Him is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain...)(31:34), Then he invents a great lie against Allah! The Prophet only saw Jibril twice, in his original shape, once near Sidrat Al-Muntaha and another time in Ajyad (in Makkah) while Jibril had six hundred wings that covered the horizon."' Muslim recorded that Abu Dharr said, "I asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, `Have you seen your Lord' He said,
«نُورٌ أَنَّى أَرَاه»
(How can I see Him since there was a light)" In another narration, the Prophet said,
«رَأَيْتُ نُورًا»
(I only saw a light.) Allah's statement,
وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَى - عِندَ سِدْرَةِ الْمُنتَهَى - عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ الْمَأْوَى
(And indeed he saw him at a second descent. Near Sidrat Al-Muntaha.) "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«رَأَيْتُ جِبْرِيلَ وَلَهُ سِتُّمِائَةِ جَنَاحٍ يَنْتَثِرُ مِنْ رِيشِهِ التَّهَاوِيلُ مِنَ الدُّرِّ وَالْيَاقُوت»
(I saw Jibril while he had six hundred wings and a colorful array of pearls and rubies falling from the feathers of his wings.)" This Hadith has a good, strong chain of narration. Ahmad also recorded that `Abdullah Ibn Mas`ud said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw Jibril in his original shape while Jibril had six hundred wings, each wing covering the side of the horizon. From his wings, precious stones were dropping of which only Allah has knowledge." This Hadith has a good chain of narration. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«رَأَيْتُ جِبْرِيلَ عَلَى سِدْرَةِ الْمُنْتَهَى وَلَهُ سِتُّمِائَةِ جَنَاح»
(I saw Jibril over Sidrat Al-Muntaha while he had six hundred wings.)" One of the subnarrators of the Hadith asked `Asim about Jibril's wings and `Asim refused to elaborate. So some of his companions were asked and one of them said, "Each wing was covering what is between the east and the west." This Hadith has a good chain of narration. Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn Mas`ud said that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:
«أَتَانِي جِبْرِيلُ فِي خُضْرٍ مُعَلَّقٍ بِهِ الدُّر»
(Jibril came to me wearing green with pearls hanging down.) This Hadith has a good chain of narration. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Amir said that Masruq asked `A'ishah, "O Mother of the faithful, has Muhammad ﷺ seen his Lord, the Exalted and Most Honored" She said, "Glorious is Allah! My hair is standing on end because of what you said. Three matters, if one tells you about any of them, will have lied. Whoever tells you that Muhammad ﷺ has seen his Lord, will have lied." She then recited these two Ayat,
لاَّ تُدْرِكُهُ الاٌّبْصَـرُ وَهُوَ يُدْرِكُ الاٌّبْصَـرَ
(No vision can grasp Him, but He grasps all vision.)(6:103), and,
وَمَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُكَلِّمَهُ اللَّهُ إِلاَّ وَحْياً أَوْ مِن وَرَآءِ حِجَابٍ
(It is not given to any human being that Allah should speak to him unless (it be) by revelation, or from behind a veil.)(42:51) She went one, "And whoever tells you that Muhammad ﷺ knew what the morrow will bring, will have uttered a lie." She then recited,
إِنَّ اللَّهَ عِندَهُ عِلْمُ السَّاعَةِ وَيُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِى الاٌّرْحَامِ
(Verily, Allah, with Him is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain, and knows that which is in the wombs.)(31:34) `A'ishah said, "And whoever tells you that Muhammad ﷺ has hidden any part of the Message will have lied," and she then recited this Ayah,
يَـأَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ
(O Messenger proclaim which has been sent down to you from your Lord.)(5:67).She went one, "However, he saw Jibril twice in his original shape." Imam Ahmad also recorded that Masruq said, "I asked `A'ishah, `Did not Allah say,
وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ بِالاٍّفُقِ الْمُبِينِ
(And indeed he saw him in the clear horizon.)(81:23), and,
وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَى
(And indeed he saw him at a second descent)' She said, `I was the first among this Ummah to ask Allah's Messenger ﷺ about it. He said,
«إِنَّمَا ذَاكَ جِبْرِيل»
(That was Jibril.) He only saw him twice in his actual and real figure. He saw Jibril descend from heaven to earth and was so huge that he covered the whole horizon between the sky and earth.)"' This Hadith is recorded in the Two Sahihs via Ash-Sha`bi.
Angels, Light and colors covered Sidrat Al-Muntaha
Allah said,
إِذْ يَغْشَى السِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَى
(When that covered the lote tree which did cover it!) We mentioned before, in the Hadiths about Al-Isra' that the angels, Allah's Light, and spectacular colors covered the Sidrah. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, "When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was taken on the Isra' journey, he ascended to Sidrat Al-Muntaha, which is in the seventh heaven. There everything terminates that ascends from the earth and is held there, and terminates everything that descends from above it is held there,
إِذْ يَغْشَى السِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَى
(When that covered the lote tree which did cover it!) He said, "Golden butterflies. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was given three things: He was given the five prayers, he was given the concluding verses of Surat Al-Baqarah (2:284-286), and remission of serious sins for those among his Ummah who do not associate anything with Allah." Muslim collected this Hadith. Allah's statement,
مَا زَاغَ الْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَى
(The sight turned not aside, nor it transgressed beyond the limit.) indicates that the Prophet's sight did not turn right or left, according to `Ibn `Abbas,
وَمَا طَغَى
(nor it transgressed beyond the limit.) not exceeding what has been ordained for it. This is a tremendous quality that demonstrates the Prophet's firm obedience to Allah, because he only did what was commanded and did ask beyond what he was given. Allah's statement,
لَقَدْ رَأَى مِنْ ءَايَـتِ رَبِّهِ الْكُبْرَى
(Indeed he saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.) is similar to another Ayah,
لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ ءْايَـتِنَآ
(In order that We might show him of Our Ayat.)(17:1), meaning, signs that testify to Allah's might and greatness. Relying on these two Ayat, some scholars of Ahl us-Sunnah said that the Prophet did not see Allah during the Isra' journey, because Allah said,
لَقَدْ رَأَى مِنْ ءَايَـتِ رَبِّهِ الْكُبْرَى
(Indeed he saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.) They said that, had the Prophet seen his Lord, Allah would have conveyed this news and the Prophet would have narrated it to the people.
He revealed to His servant what He revealed. Even though He said these words with the lid on and left them obscure so as to declare the great- ness of that state and the magnificence of MuṣṬafā's measure, it has been mentioned in some books that a group of the Companions asked MuṣṬafā what this revelation was. MuṣṬafā explained as much as their capacity was able to bear. He said that the Lord of the Worlds complained about his community, saying, “O MuḤammad, in holding to the covenant, I who am the Lord did not create any of the depths of hell for your community. But they, in breaking the covenant, are trying to throw themselves into hell. O MuḤammad, I am the Exalter and the Abaser. He is exalted whom I exalt, and He is abased whom I abase. They are seeking exaltation from elsewhere and they see abasement com- ing from elsewhere. O MuḤammad, I do not ask them today for tomorrow's deeds, but today they seek from Me tomorrow's provision. O MuḤammad, the provision that I have put in their name I will not give to another, but they give the deeds that are My rightful due and fitting for Me to others through eye-service. O MuḤammad, the blessings come from Me and they show gratitude to others. O MuḤammad, nonetheless, I am seeking for pretexts to forgive your community. O MuḤammad, were it not that I love to rebuke them and talk with them, I would not call them to account for anything. O MuḤammad, I did four things with previous communities that I will not do with your community: I took a people into the earth, I changed a people's form, I rained down stones on a people, and I destroyed a people with the flames of fire. Because of your eminence and rank, I will not do any of these with your community. O MuḤammad, I secluded you with Me to show the people who you are and to show you who I am.” When God's Messenger saw all this honoring and exalting from the Exalted Threshold, he said, “Lord God, bestow all of my community on me!” The command came, “O MuḤammad, tonight you came alone. As a favor for your coming to this feast, I bestow upon you a third of that. Tomorrow at the resurrection in the Greatest Gather- ing, I will bestow the rest on you. Then the world's folk will know your level and rank with Me.” And God is the success-giver and helper!
He revealed to His servant what He revealed. Even though He said these words with the lid on and left them obscure so as to declare the great- ness of that state and the magnificence of MuṣṬafā's measure, it has been mentioned in some books that a group of the Companions asked MuṣṬafā what this revelation was. MuṣṬafā explained as much as their capacity was able to bear. He said that the Lord of the Worlds complained about his community, saying, “O MuḤammad, in holding to the covenant, I who am the Lord did not create any of the depths of hell for your community. But they, in breaking the covenant, are trying to throw themselves into hell. O MuḤammad, I am the Exalter and the Abaser. He is exalted whom I exalt, and He is abased whom I abase. They are seeking exaltation from elsewhere and they see abasement com- ing from elsewhere. O MuḤammad, I do not ask them today for tomorrow's deeds, but today they seek from Me tomorrow's provision. O MuḤammad, the provision that I have put in their name I will not give to another, but they give the deeds that are My rightful due and fitting for Me to others through eye-service. O MuḤammad, the blessings come from Me and they show gratitude to others. O MuḤammad, nonetheless, I am seeking for pretexts to forgive your community. O MuḤammad, were it not that I love to rebuke them and talk with them, I would not call them to account for anything. O MuḤammad, I did four things with previous communities that I will not do with your community: I took a people into the earth, I changed a people's form, I rained down stones on a people, and I destroyed a people with the flames of fire. Because of your eminence and rank, I will not do any of these with your community. O MuḤammad, I secluded you with Me to show the people who you are and to show you who I am.” When God's Messenger saw all this honoring and exalting from the Exalted Threshold, he said, “Lord God, bestow all of my community on me!” The command came, “O MuḤammad, tonight you came alone. As a favor for your coming to this feast, I bestow upon you a third of that. Tomorrow at the resurrection in the Greatest Gather- ing, I will bestow the rest on you. Then the world's folk will know your level and rank with Me.” And God is the success-giver and helper!
He revealed to His servant what He revealed. Even though He said these words with the lid on and left them obscure so as to declare the great- ness of that state and the magnificence of MuṣṬafā's measure, it has been mentioned in some books that a group of the Companions asked MuṣṬafā what this revelation was. MuṣṬafā explained as much as their capacity was able to bear. He said that the Lord of the Worlds complained about his community, saying, “O MuḤammad, in holding to the covenant, I who am the Lord did not create any of the depths of hell for your community. But they, in breaking the covenant, are trying to throw themselves into hell. O MuḤammad, I am the Exalter and the Abaser. He is exalted whom I exalt, and He is abased whom I abase. They are seeking exaltation from elsewhere and they see abasement com- ing from elsewhere. O MuḤammad, I do not ask them today for tomorrow's deeds, but today they seek from Me tomorrow's provision. O MuḤammad, the provision that I have put in their name I will not give to another, but they give the deeds that are My rightful due and fitting for Me to others through eye-service. O MuḤammad, the blessings come from Me and they show gratitude to others. O MuḤammad, nonetheless, I am seeking for pretexts to forgive your community. O MuḤammad, were it not that I love to rebuke them and talk with them, I would not call them to account for anything. O MuḤammad, I did four things with previous communities that I will not do with your community: I took a people into the earth, I changed a people's form, I rained down stones on a people, and I destroyed a people with the flames of fire. Because of your eminence and rank, I will not do any of these with your community. O MuḤammad, I secluded you with Me to show the people who you are and to show you who I am.” When God's Messenger saw all this honoring and exalting from the Exalted Threshold, he said, “Lord God, bestow all of my community on me!” The command came, “O MuḤammad, tonight you came alone. As a favor for your coming to this feast, I bestow upon you a third of that. Tomorrow at the resurrection in the Greatest Gather- ing, I will bestow the rest on you. Then the world's folk will know your level and rank with Me.” And God is the success-giver and helper!
He revealed to His servant what He revealed. Even though He said these words with the lid on and left them obscure so as to declare the great- ness of that state and the magnificence of MuṣṬafā's measure, it has been mentioned in some books that a group of the Companions asked MuṣṬafā what this revelation was. MuṣṬafā explained as much as their capacity was able to bear. He said that the Lord of the Worlds complained about his community, saying, “O MuḤammad, in holding to the covenant, I who am the Lord did not create any of the depths of hell for your community. But they, in breaking the covenant, are trying to throw themselves into hell. O MuḤammad, I am the Exalter and the Abaser. He is exalted whom I exalt, and He is abased whom I abase. They are seeking exaltation from elsewhere and they see abasement com- ing from elsewhere. O MuḤammad, I do not ask them today for tomorrow's deeds, but today they seek from Me tomorrow's provision. O MuḤammad, the provision that I have put in their name I will not give to another, but they give the deeds that are My rightful due and fitting for Me to others through eye-service. O MuḤammad, the blessings come from Me and they show gratitude to others. O MuḤammad, nonetheless, I am seeking for pretexts to forgive your community. O MuḤammad, were it not that I love to rebuke them and talk with them, I would not call them to account for anything. O MuḤammad, I did four things with previous communities that I will not do with your community: I took a people into the earth, I changed a people's form, I rained down stones on a people, and I destroyed a people with the flames of fire. Because of your eminence and rank, I will not do any of these with your community. O MuḤammad, I secluded you with Me to show the people who you are and to show you who I am.” When God's Messenger saw all this honoring and exalting from the Exalted Threshold, he said, “Lord God, bestow all of my community on me!” The command came, “O MuḤammad, tonight you came alone. As a favor for your coming to this feast, I bestow upon you a third of that. Tomorrow at the resurrection in the Greatest Gather- ing, I will bestow the rest on you. Then the world's folk will know your level and rank with Me.” And God is the success-giver and helper!
He revealed to His servant what He revealed.Even though He said these words with the lid on and left them obscure so as to declare the great- ness of that state and the magnificence of MuṣṬafā's measure, it has been mentioned in some books that a group of the Companions asked MuṣṬafā what this revelation was. MuṣṬafā explained as much as their capacity was able to bear. He said that the Lord of the Worlds complained about his community, saying,�O MuḤammad, in holding to the covenant, I who am the Lord did not create any of the depths of hell for your community. But they, in breaking the covenant, are trying to throw themselves into hell. O MuḤammad, I am the Exalter and the Abaser. He is exalted whom I exalt, and He is abased whom I abase. They are seeking exaltation from elsewhere and they see abasement com- ing from elsewhere. O MuḤammad, I do not ask them today for tomorrow's deeds, but today they seek from Me tomorrow's provision. O MuḤammad, the provision that I have put in their name I will not give to another, but they give the deeds that are My rightful due and fitting for Me to others through eye-service. O MuḤammad, the blessings come from Me and they show gratitude to others. O MuḤammad, nonetheless, I am seeking for pretexts to forgive your community. O MuḤammad, were it not that I love to rebuke them and talk with them, I would not call them to account for anything. O MuḤammad, I did four things with previous communities that I will not do with your community: I took a people into the earth, I changed a people's form, I rained down stones on a people, and I destroyed a people with the flames of fire. Because of your eminence and rank, I will not do any of these with your community. O MuḤammad, I secluded you with Me to show the people who you are and to show you who I am.�When God's Messenger saw all this honoring and exalting from the Exalted Threshold, he said, �Lord God, bestow all of my community on me!�The command came, �O MuḤammad, tonight you came alone. As a favor for your coming to this feast, I bestow upon you a third of that. Tomorrow at the resurrection in the Greatest Gather- ing, I will bestow the rest on you. Then the world's folk will know your level and rank with Me.� And God is the success-giver and helper!
وقوله ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى ) يقول: فكان جبرائيل من محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم على قدر قوسين, أو أدنى من ذلك, يعني: أو أقرب منه, يقال: هو منه قاب قوسين, وقيب قوسين, وقيد قوسين, وقادَ قوسين, وقَدَى قوسين, كل ذلك بمعنى: قدر قوسين.وقيل: إن معنى قوله ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ ) أنه كان منه حيث الوتر من القوس.* ذكر من قال ذلك:حدثني محمد بن عمرو, قال: ثنا أبو عاصم, قال: ثنا عيسى; وحدثني الحارث, قال: ثنا الحسن, قال: ثنا ورقاء جميعا, عن ابن أبي نجيح, عن مجاهد, قوله ( قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ ) قال: حيث الوتر من القوس.حدثنا ابن عبد الأعلى, قال: ثنا ابن ثور, عن معمر, عن الحسن ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ ) قال: قِيد قوسين.وقال ذلك قتادة.حدثنا ابن حُميد, قال: ثنا مهران, عن سفيان, عن خصِيف, عن مجاهد ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ ) قال: قِيدَ, أو قدرَ قوسين.حدثنا أبو كُريب, قال: ثنا أبو معاوية, عن إبراهيم بن طهمان, عن عاصم, عن زِرّ, عن عبد الله فكان قاب قوسين أو أدنى: قال: دنا جبريل عليه السلام منه حتى كان قدر ذراع أو ذراعين.حدثنا ابن حُميد, قال: ثنا حكام, عن عمرو, عن عاصم, عن أبي رزين ( قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ ) قال: ليست بهذه القوس, ولكن قدر الذراعين أو أدنى; والقاب: هو القيد.واختلف أهل التأويل في المعنيّ بقوله ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى ) فقال بعضهم: في ذلك, بنحو الذي قلنا فيه.حدثنا ابن أبي الشوارب, قال: ثنا عبد الواحد بن زياد, قال: ثنا سليمان الشيباني, قال: ثنا زرّ بن حُبيش, قال: قال عبد الله في هذه الآية ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى ) قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: " رأيْتُ جبريلَ لَهُ سِتُّ مِئةِ جنَاحٍ".حدثنا عبد الحميد بن بيان السكري, قال: ثنا خالد بن عبد الله, عن الشيباني, عن زرّ, عن ابن مسعود في قوله ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى ) قال: رأى جبرائيل ست مئة جناح في صورته.حدثنا محمد بن عبيد, قال: ثنا قبيص بن ليث الأسدي, عن الشيباني, عن زرّ بن حبيش, عن عبد الله بن مسعود ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى ) قال: رأى النبيّ صلى الله عليه وسلم جبريل عليه السلام له ستّ مئة جناح.حدثنا ابن وكيع, قال: ثنا ابن وهب, قال: ثنا ابن لهيعة, عن أبي الأسود, عن عروة, عن عائشة قالت: كان أوّل شأن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه رأى في منامه جبريل عليه السلام بأجياد, ثم إنه خرج ليقضي حاجته, فصرخ به جبريل: يا محمد; فنظر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يمينا وشمالا فلم ير شيئا ثلاثا; ثم خرج فرآه, فدخل في الناس, ثم خرج, أو قال: ثم نظر " أنا أشك ", فرآه, فذلك قوله: وَالنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَى * مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَى * وَمَا يَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَى ... إلى قوله: ( فَتَدَلَّى ) جبريل إلى محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم ,( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى ) يقول: القاب: نصف الأصبع. وقال بعضهم: ذراعين كان بينهما.حدثنا ابن حُميد, قال: ثنا مهران, عن سفيان, عن الشيباني, عن زرّ بن حبيش, عن ابن مسعود ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى ) قال: له ستّ مئة جناح, يعني جبريل عليه السلام .حدثنا إبراهيم بن سعيد, قال: ثنا أبو أسامة, قال: ثنا زكريا, عن ابن أشوع, عن عامر, عن مسروق, قال: قلت لعائشة: ما قوله ( ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّى * فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى * فَأَوْحَى إِلَى عَبْدِهِ مَا أَوْحَى ) فقالت: إنما ذلك جبريل, كان يأتيه في صورة الرجال, وإنه أتاه في هذه المرّة في صورته, فسدّ أفق السماء.وقال آخرون: بل الذي دنا فكان قاب قوسين أو أدنى: جبريل من ربه.* ذكر من قال ذلك:حدثني محمد بن عمرو, قال: ثنا أبو عاصم, قال: ثنا عيسى؛ وحدثني الحارث, قال: ثنا الحسن, قال: ثنا ورقاء جميعا, عن ابن أبي نجيح, عن مجاهد ( فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى ) قال: الله من جبريل عليه السلام .وقال آخرون: بل كان الذي كان قاب قوسين أو أدنى: محمد من ربه.* ذكر من قال ذلك:حدثنا ابن حُميد, قال: ثنا مهران, عن موسى بن عبيد الحميري , عن محمد بن كعب القرظي, عن بعض أصحاب النبيّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: قلنا يا نبيّ الله: هل رأيت ربك؟ قال: " لَمْ أرَهُ بعَيْني, ورأيتُهُ بفُؤَادي مَرَّتَيْن ", ثم تلا( ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّى ) .حدثنا خلاد بن أسلم, قال: أخبرنا النضر، قال: أخبرنا محمد بن عمرو بن علقمة بن وقاص الليثيّ, عن كثير, عن أنس بن مالك, قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: " لَمَّا عُرِجَ بي, مَضَى جِبْريل حتى جاءَ الجَنَّةَ, قالَ: فَدَخَلْتُ فأُعْطيتُ الكَوْثَر, ثُمَّ مَضَى حتى جاءَ السِّدْرَةَ المُنْتَهَى, فَدَنَا رَبُّكَ فَتَدَلَّى, فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى, فَأَوْحَى إِلَى عَبْدِهِ مَا أَوْحَى ".
The Trustworthy Angel brought Allah's Revelation to the Trustworthy Messenger
Allah the Exalted states that the Message His servant and Messenger Muhammad ﷺ brought to people was taught to him by,
شَدِيدُ الْقُوَى
(mighty in power), he is Jibril, peace be upon him,
إِنَّهُ لَقَوْلُ رَسُولٍ كَرِيمٍ ذِى قُوَّةٍ عِندَ ذِى الْعَرْشِ مَكِينٍ مُّطَـعٍ ثَمَّ أَمِينٍ
(Verily, this is the Word a most honorable messenger, owner of power, with (Allah) the Lord of the Throne, obeyed (by the angels) and trustworthy.)(81:19-21) Allah said here,
ذُو مِرَّةٍ
(Dhu Mirrah), meaning, he is mighty in power, according to Mujahid, Al-Hasan and Ibn Zayd. In an authentic Hadith from `Abdullah bin `Umar and Abu Hurayrah, the Prophet said,
«لَا تَحِلُّ الصَّدَقَةُ لِغَنِيَ وَلَا لِذِي مِرَّةٍ سَوِي»
(Charity is not allowed for a rich person nor Dhu Mirrah (a strong person) of sound mind and body.) Allah said;
فَاسْتَوَى
(then he Istawa (rose).) this refers to the angel Jibril, according to Al-Hasan, Mujahid, Qatadah and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas,
وَهُوَ بِالاٍّفُقِ الاٌّعْلَى
(While he was in the highest part of the horizon.) meaning, Jibril rose to the highest part of the horizon, according to `Ikrimah and several others; `Ikrimah said, "The highest horizon where the morning comes from." Mujahid said, "It is (the place of) sunrise." Qatadah said, "That from which the day comes." Ibn Zayd and several others said similarly. Imam Ahmad recorded that Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, "The Messenger of Allah saw Jibril in his original shape having six hundred wings, each wing filling the side of the horizon, with a colorful array, and pearls and rubies falling from each wing as much as only Allah knows." Only Imam Ahmad collected this Hadith. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah bin `Abbas said, "The Prophet asked Jibril to appear himself to him in his original shape and Jibril said to him, `Invoke your Lord.' The Prophet invoked his Lord the Exalted and Most Honored, and a great huge figure appeared to him from the east and kept rising and spreading. When the Prophet saw Jibril in his original shape, he was knocked unconscious. Jibril came down and revived the Prophet and wiped the saliva off of his cheeks."' Only Ahmad collected this Hadith.
Meaning of "at a distance of two bows' length or less
Allah's statement,
فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى
(And was at a distance of two bows` length or less.) means, Jibril came closer to Muhammad ﷺ when Jibril was descending to him on earth. At that time, the distance between them became only two bow lengths, when the bows are extended to full length, according to Mujahid and Qatadah. It was said that the meaning here is the distance between the bow's string and its wood center. Allah's statement,
أَوْ أَدْنَى
(or less) indicates that the distance was as only as far described, not more. This type of usage is found in several instances in the Qur'an, such as,
ثُمَّ قَسَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ مِّن بَعْدِ ذلِكَ فَهِىَ كَالْحِجَارَةِ أَوْ أَشَدُّ قَسْوَةً
(Then, after that, your hearts were hardened and became as stones or even worse in hardness.)(2:74) The Ayah says that their hearts became not softer than rocks, but as hard and difficult as rocks, and more. There is a similar Ayah,
يَخْشَوْنَ النَّاسَ كَخَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ أَوْ أَشَدَّ خَشْيَةً
(fear men as they fear Allah or even more.)(4:77), and Allah's statement,
وَأَرْسَلْنَـهُ إِلَى مِاْئَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ
(And We sent him to hundred thousand (people) or even more.)(37:147), indicating that they were not less than a hundred thousand, but that amount or more. Therefore, this verifies the facts mentioned, leaving no doubt or means of refute. Similarly, Allah said,
فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى
(And was at a distance of two bow lengths or less.) We stated before that it was Jibril who came down near the Prophet , according to `A'ishah, the Mother of the faithful, `Abdullah bin Mas`ud, Abu Dharr and Abu Hurayrah. We will mention their statements about this soon afterwards, Allah willing. Ibn Jarir recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said about this Ayah,
فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى
(And was at a distance of two bow lengths or less.) "Allah's Messenger ﷺ said,
«رَأَيْتُ جِبْرِيلَ لَهُ سِتُّمِائَةِ جَنَاح»
(I saw Jibril; he had six hundred wings.)" Al-Bukhari recorded that Talq bin Ghannam said that Za'idah said that Ash-Shaybani said, "I asked Zirr about the Ayah,
فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى - فَأَوْحَى إِلَى عَبْدِهِ مَآ أَوْحَى
(And was at a distance of two bow lengths or less. So (Allah) revealed to His servant whatever He revealed.) Zirr said, "Abdullah narrated to us that Muhammad ﷺ saw Jibril having six hundred wings." Allah's statement,
فَأَوْحَى إِلَى عَبْدِهِ مَآ أَوْحَى
(So he revealed to His servant whatever He revealed.) means, Jibril conveyed to Allah's servant Muhammad ﷺ whatever he conveyed. Or, the meaning here could be: Allah revealed to His servant Muhammad ﷺ whatever He revealed through Jibril. Both meanings are correct. Sa`id bin Jubayr said about Allah's statement,
فَأَوْحَى إِلَى عَبْدِهِ مَآ أَوْحَى
(So He revealed to His servant whatever He revealed.) "Allah revealed to him,
أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيماً
(Did He not find you an orphan.)(93:6), and,
وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ
(And have We not raised high your fame)(94:4)" Someone else said, "Allah revealed to the Prophet that the Prophets will not enter Paradise until he enters it first, and the nations will not enter it until his Ummah enters it first."
Did the Prophet see His Lord during the Night of Isra
Allah said next,
مَا كَذَبَ الْفُؤَادُ مَا رَأَى - أَفَتُمَـرُونَهُ عَلَى مَا يَرَى
(The heart lied not in what he saw. Will you then dispute with him about what he saw) Muslim recorded from Ibn `Abbas about:
مَا كَذَبَ الْفُؤَادُ مَا رَأَى
(The heart lied not in what he saw), and,
وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَى
(And indeed he saw him at a second descent.) "He saw Allah twice in his heart." Simak reported a similar from `Ikrimah from Ibn `Abbas. Abu Salih, As-Suddi and several others said similarly that the Prophet saw Allah twice in his heart.Masruq said, "I went to `A'ishah and asked her, `Did Muhammad ﷺ see his Lord' She said, `You said something that caused my hair to rise!' I said, `Behold!' and recited this Ayah,
لَقَدْ رَأَى مِنْ ءَايَـتِ رَبِّهِ الْكُبْرَى
(Indeed he saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.) She said, `Where did your mind wander It was Jibril. Whoever says to you that Muhammad ﷺ saw his Lord, or hid any part of what he was commanded (i.e., Allah's Message), or knew any of the five things which only Allah knows,
إِنَّ اللَّهَ عِندَهُ عِلْمُ السَّاعَةِ وَيُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ
(Verily, Allah, with Him is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain...)(31:34), Then he invents a great lie against Allah! The Prophet only saw Jibril twice, in his original shape, once near Sidrat Al-Muntaha and another time in Ajyad (in Makkah) while Jibril had six hundred wings that covered the horizon."' Muslim recorded that Abu Dharr said, "I asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, `Have you seen your Lord' He said,
«نُورٌ أَنَّى أَرَاه»
(How can I see Him since there was a light)" In another narration, the Prophet said,
«رَأَيْتُ نُورًا»
(I only saw a light.) Allah's statement,
وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَى - عِندَ سِدْرَةِ الْمُنتَهَى - عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ الْمَأْوَى
(And indeed he saw him at a second descent. Near Sidrat Al-Muntaha.) "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«رَأَيْتُ جِبْرِيلَ وَلَهُ سِتُّمِائَةِ جَنَاحٍ يَنْتَثِرُ مِنْ رِيشِهِ التَّهَاوِيلُ مِنَ الدُّرِّ وَالْيَاقُوت»
(I saw Jibril while he had six hundred wings and a colorful array of pearls and rubies falling from the feathers of his wings.)" This Hadith has a good, strong chain of narration. Ahmad also recorded that `Abdullah Ibn Mas`ud said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw Jibril in his original shape while Jibril had six hundred wings, each wing covering the side of the horizon. From his wings, precious stones were dropping of which only Allah has knowledge." This Hadith has a good chain of narration. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«رَأَيْتُ جِبْرِيلَ عَلَى سِدْرَةِ الْمُنْتَهَى وَلَهُ سِتُّمِائَةِ جَنَاح»
(I saw Jibril over Sidrat Al-Muntaha while he had six hundred wings.)" One of the subnarrators of the Hadith asked `Asim about Jibril's wings and `Asim refused to elaborate. So some of his companions were asked and one of them said, "Each wing was covering what is between the east and the west." This Hadith has a good chain of narration. Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn Mas`ud said that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:
«أَتَانِي جِبْرِيلُ فِي خُضْرٍ مُعَلَّقٍ بِهِ الدُّر»
(Jibril came to me wearing green with pearls hanging down.) This Hadith has a good chain of narration. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Amir said that Masruq asked `A'ishah, "O Mother of the faithful, has Muhammad ﷺ seen his Lord, the Exalted and Most Honored" She said, "Glorious is Allah! My hair is standing on end because of what you said. Three matters, if one tells you about any of them, will have lied. Whoever tells you that Muhammad ﷺ has seen his Lord, will have lied." She then recited these two Ayat,
لاَّ تُدْرِكُهُ الاٌّبْصَـرُ وَهُوَ يُدْرِكُ الاٌّبْصَـرَ
(No vision can grasp Him, but He grasps all vision.)(6:103), and,
وَمَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُكَلِّمَهُ اللَّهُ إِلاَّ وَحْياً أَوْ مِن وَرَآءِ حِجَابٍ
(It is not given to any human being that Allah should speak to him unless (it be) by revelation, or from behind a veil.)(42:51) She went one, "And whoever tells you that Muhammad ﷺ knew what the morrow will bring, will have uttered a lie." She then recited,
إِنَّ اللَّهَ عِندَهُ عِلْمُ السَّاعَةِ وَيُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِى الاٌّرْحَامِ
(Verily, Allah, with Him is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain, and knows that which is in the wombs.)(31:34) `A'ishah said, "And whoever tells you that Muhammad ﷺ has hidden any part of the Message will have lied," and she then recited this Ayah,
يَـأَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ
(O Messenger proclaim which has been sent down to you from your Lord.)(5:67).She went one, "However, he saw Jibril twice in his original shape." Imam Ahmad also recorded that Masruq said, "I asked `A'ishah, `Did not Allah say,
وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ بِالاٍّفُقِ الْمُبِينِ
(And indeed he saw him in the clear horizon.)(81:23), and,
وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَى
(And indeed he saw him at a second descent)' She said, `I was the first among this Ummah to ask Allah's Messenger ﷺ about it. He said,
«إِنَّمَا ذَاكَ جِبْرِيل»
(That was Jibril.) He only saw him twice in his actual and real figure. He saw Jibril descend from heaven to earth and was so huge that he covered the whole horizon between the sky and earth.)"' This Hadith is recorded in the Two Sahihs via Ash-Sha`bi.
Angels, Light and colors covered Sidrat Al-Muntaha
Allah said,
إِذْ يَغْشَى السِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَى
(When that covered the lote tree which did cover it!) We mentioned before, in the Hadiths about Al-Isra' that the angels, Allah's Light, and spectacular colors covered the Sidrah. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, "When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was taken on the Isra' journey, he ascended to Sidrat Al-Muntaha, which is in the seventh heaven. There everything terminates that ascends from the earth and is held there, and terminates everything that descends from above it is held there,
إِذْ يَغْشَى السِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَى
(When that covered the lote tree which did cover it!) He said, "Golden butterflies. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was given three things: He was given the five prayers, he was given the concluding verses of Surat Al-Baqarah (2:284-286), and remission of serious sins for those among his Ummah who do not associate anything with Allah." Muslim collected this Hadith. Allah's statement,
مَا زَاغَ الْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَى
(The sight turned not aside, nor it transgressed beyond the limit.) indicates that the Prophet's sight did not turn right or left, according to `Ibn `Abbas,
وَمَا طَغَى
(nor it transgressed beyond the limit.) not exceeding what has been ordained for it. This is a tremendous quality that demonstrates the Prophet's firm obedience to Allah, because he only did what was commanded and did ask beyond what he was given. Allah's statement,
لَقَدْ رَأَى مِنْ ءَايَـتِ رَبِّهِ الْكُبْرَى
(Indeed he saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.) is similar to another Ayah,
لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ ءْايَـتِنَآ
(In order that We might show him of Our Ayat.)(17:1), meaning, signs that testify to Allah's might and greatness. Relying on these two Ayat, some scholars of Ahl us-Sunnah said that the Prophet did not see Allah during the Isra' journey, because Allah said,
لَقَدْ رَأَى مِنْ ءَايَـتِ رَبِّهِ الْكُبْرَى
(Indeed he saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.) They said that, had the Prophet seen his Lord, Allah would have conveyed this news and the Prophet would have narrated it to the people.