At www.salaam.co.uk/themeofthemonth/june02_index.php?l=5 and www.noblesanctuary.com/Jibril.html one can read a hadith (highly esteemed by the author) in which Gabriel is said by Umar ibn al-Khattab to have appeared to Muhammad and his companions in physical, visible form. Gabriel is said to have spoken to Muhammad with a voice that was heard and understood by all present, and Muhammads companions did not know who the visitor was. After Gabriel left, Muhammad informed Umar, "He was Gabriel, who came to teach you your religion."
This hadith is widespread and inasmuch as the NobleSanctuary site uses it, I think it is safe to say that it is generally accepted as a sound hadith. Surah 6:9, however, says, "And had We appointed him an angel, We would indeed have made him a man, and We would then have certainly confused them in which they are already confused."
Surah 6:9 seems to assume the premise that Allah has no intention of sending down an angel in the form of a man. Yet in the Hadith about Gabriel that is exactly what is said to have occurred.
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
This hadith is widespread and inasmuch as the NobleSanctuary site uses it, I think it is safe to say that it is generally accepted as a sound hadith. Surah 6:9, however, says, "And had We appointed him an angel, We would indeed have made him a man, and We would then have certainly confused them in which they are already confused."
Surah 6:9 seems to assume the premise that Allah has no intention of sending down an angel in the form of a man. Yet in the Hadith about Gabriel that is exactly what is said to have occurred.
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
