Islamic Story: The Archangel Jibril Ascends to Heaven

The archangel Jibreel (Gabriel) is commonly known among Chinese Muslims as “Zhebuleyilai Tianxian”. Along with Mikhail, Israfil, and Azrail, he is regarded as one of the four great angels of Allah. Nicknamed the “Angel Chief” for his high rank among the angels, his divine mission is to convey the revelations of Allah to the prophets, as dispatched by Allah.

He delivered the scriptures Tawrat, Zabur, and Injil to the ancient prophets Musa (Moses), Dawud (David), and Isa (Jesus) respectively. During the 23 years of Prophet Muhammad's mission, he also delivered the revelations of the Quran to Muhammad.

According to exegetical scholars and Islamic history, when Jibreel first conveyed Allah's revelation to Muhammad in 610 AD while he was meditating in the Cave of Hira on Mount Jabal al-Nour, Muhammad was frightened by Jibreel's loud voice from the sky. He immediately rushed home. When Jibreel appeared before him again, Muhammad covered his head in fear. Jibreel then proclaimed Allah's command: "O thou wrapped up! Arise and deliver thy warning! And thy Lord do thou magnify!" These were the first verses of the Quran revealed to Muhammad, marking the start of his mission as Allah's Messenger and his secret preaching.

The Quran mentions Jibreel by name twice, referring to him as the guardian of the Prophet Muhammad. It states that he incurred the hatred of the disbelievers by Allah's command, as he transmitted the revelations onto Muhammad's heart. Anyone who hates Allah, the angels, the messengers, and Jibreel will incur Allah's hatred. Jibreel is also described with honorifics like the "Holy Spirit" and the "Faithful Spirit" in the Quran.

The hadith record that Jibreel assisted the Prophet on multiple occasions during his mission, notably by appearing in human form to teach the people about faith and religious duties. He also aided the Muslim army at the Battle of Badr.

Regarding Badr, the Quran states: "Allah had helped you at Badr, when ye were a contemptible little force; then fear Allah; thus may ye show your gratitude."

The Muslims had only 70 camels and a little over 300 men, planning to raid the caravan of the Quraish. When the Quraish heard of this, they sent an army of nearly 1000 men with 200 horses to protect the caravan. The Prophet and his followers deliberated on the impending battle. They agreed to follow the Prophet's decision. Some were averse to fighting, as they had not come for battle and were clearly outmatched in numbers and equipment. They said, "Fighting is death. We shall be driven towards death." Allah then revealed: "As though they were being driven towards death while they looked on."

The Prophet was determined to fight. He told the believers: "March forward and rejoice! Allah has promised one of the two enemy groups to you." ...I seem to see the enemy lying prostrate already."

Allah revealed: "Allah had promised you one of the two enemy groups, that it should be yours. You wanted the unarmed group to be yours, but Allah intended to establish the truth by his words and to eradicate the unbelievers."

Divine aid appeared in tranquil sleep and rain that wet the sandy ground, stabilizing their footing and enabling them to easily pursue the enemy. The Quran states: "He sent down tranquility upon you, and sent down upon you water from the clouds to cleanse you, and to remove from you the defilement of Satan, and to strengthen your hearts, and to make firm your feet thereby."

When the armies met, aid came again. Each saw the other as few in number. They clashed in battle. Allah said: "And when you met, He showed them to you as few in your eyes, and He made you appear as few in their eyes."

Abdullah ibn Masud said: "We saw the polytheists and found them to be many more than us. But when we took a second look, they did not seem more than we were." This was Allah's doing: "He showed them to you as few in your eyes and He made you appear as few in their eyes."

The Prophet did not forget to beseech Allah's help, praying repeatedly: "O Allah! If this group perishes today, there will be none left to worship You on earth."

"O Allah! Fulfill Your promise of victory to us!"

"O Allah! Aid us!"

The Prophet kept praying until he dozed off. Upon waking he exclaimed: "Abu Bakr! Rejoice at the arrival of Allah's succor!"

Jibreel then appeared, mounted on a steed and leading the angels. At this point, Allah aided the believers with angels, revealing in the Quran: "When you sought aid from your Lord, He answered you: I will aid you with a thousand angels in succession." This was to reassure their hearts. For truly, aid comes only from Allah.

The angels joined the battle, enabling the Muslims to accurately strike down or maim the disbelievers. Allah said: "Your Lord revealed to the angels: I am with you, so make the believers stand firm. I will cast terror into the hearts of the disbelievers. So strike their necks and strike their fingertips." This was punishment for defying Allah and His Messenger.

After a short while, the Quraish fled the battlefield in defeat, abandoning 70 dead and 70 captives, including Quraish nobles and polytheist chiefs. Only 14 Muslim fighters were martyred.