Dahya Al Kalbi
The Appearance of Jibreel (عليه السلام) — Narrations & Forms
📌 Overview
The revelation did not come in a single form. The ahadith establish multiple ways in which Jibreel (عليه السلام) appeared to the Prophet ﷺ and, in some cases, was witnessed by the Companions.
🔔 Forms of Revelation
From the Hadith of Aisha (رضي الله عنها) — Sahih Al-Bukhari
Al-Harith ibn Hisham asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
“O Messenger of Allah, how does the revelation come to you?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“Sometimes it comes to me like the ringing of a bell — and that is the hardest for me — and it leaves me after I have understood what he said. And sometimes the angel appears to me as a man and speaks to me, and I understand what he says.”
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari | Grade: Sahih
👤 Jibreel Appearing in Human Form
1. The Hadith of Jibreel (Gabriel) — The Man of Unknown Identity
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):
A man came walking to the Prophet ﷺ while he was among the people and asked about:
- Iman (Faith) — Belief in Allah, His angels, His messengers, the meeting with Him, and the Hereafter
- Islam — Worshipping Allah alone, establishing prayer, paying Zakat, fasting Ramadan
- Ihsan (Excellence) — “To worship Allah as if you see Him; and if you do not see Him, then indeed He sees you”
- The Hour — “The one asked does not know more than the one asking…”
After the man left, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“That was Jibreel. He came to teach the people their religion.”
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari (4777) | Grade: Sahih
2. Jibreel in the Form of Dihya al-Kalbi (رضي الله عنه)
During the Campaign of Banu Qurayzah
Narrated by Aisha (رضي الله عنها) — Sahih Al-Bukhari & Musnad Ahmad:
“When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ returned from the Trench and put down his weapons and washed himself, Jibreel came to him with dust on his head and said: ‘Have you put down your weapons? By Allah, I have not. Go out to them.’ The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Where?’ He said: ‘Here’ — pointing to Banu Qurayzah.”
Sources:
- Musnad Ahmad (vol. 6/56)
- Sahih Al-Bukhari (vol. 2/140) — Book of Jihad, Ch. 18
Second narration — Musnad Ahmad (vol. 6/131 & 280):
“When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished with the Confederates, he entered to wash himself. Then Jibreel came and said: ‘Have you put down your weapons? We had not yet laid down our weapons — attack Banu Qurayzah.’”
Aisha said:
“It is as if I see Jibreel through the door, his head covered with dust.”
Third narration — Seerah of Ibn Hisham:
The Prophet ﷺ passed by a group of his Companions and asked:
“Did anyone pass by you?”
They said: “Dihya bin Khalifa al-Kalbi passed by us on a white mule with a brocade saddle.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“That was Jibreel, sent to Banu Qurayzah to shake their fortresses and cast terror into their hearts.”
3. Aisha Sees Jibreel Directly
Narrated by Aisha (رضي الله عنها) — Musnad Ahmad (vol. 6/148):
Jibreel came to the Prophet ﷺ riding a mule, wearing a turban whose end was between his shoulders. Aisha asked about him, and the Prophet ﷺ confirmed: “That was Jibreel.”
Narrated in Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d (vol. 8/67–68):
Aisha saw a man on a horse in the room speaking to the Prophet ﷺ. She described him as resembling Dihya al-Kalbi. The Prophet ﷺ confirmed: “That was Jibreel.”
Shortly after, the Prophet ﷺ said: “O Aisha, this is Jibreel sending you his greetings.”
She replied: “And peace be upon him — may Allah reward him with good, what a good companion and guest.”
Supported in: Sahih Al-Bukhari (vol. 2/308 & 4/81) | Sahih Muslim (vol. 4/1896) | Sunan Al-Tirmidhi | Sunan Al-Nasa’i
💬 Jibreel Conveying Greetings to Khadijah (رضي الله عنها)
“Jibreel came to me and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, this is Khadijah who has come to you with food and drink. When she comes to you, convey to her the greetings of her Lord and from me.’”
Sources: Sahih Muslim (vol. 4/1887) | Sahih Al-Bukhari (vol. 2/315) | Al-Isabah (vol. 4/274)
🌟 Other Angels Appearing in Human Form
Haritha Bin Al-Nu’man (رضي الله عنه)
“I passed by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and Jibreel was sitting with him. I greeted him. When I returned, the Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Did you see the one who was with me?’ I said: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘That was Jibreel, and he has returned your greeting.’”
Source: Al-Isabah (vol. 1/299) | Chain: Authentic
Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari (رضي الله عنه)
“I heard him as if he was talking to a man. Then he came out to me alone. I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, who is the man you were talking to?’ He said: ‘Did you hear him?’ I said: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘That was Jibreel, who came to give me the good news that whoever dies from my nation without associating anything with Allah will enter Paradise.’”
Source: Sahih Al-Adab Al-Mufrad (616) | Grade: Authentic
Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) — The Opening of a Heavenly Door
“While Jibreel was sitting with the Prophet ﷺ, he heard a creaking sound from above. He raised his head and said: ‘This is a door in the heaven opened today that has never been opened before.’ Then an angel descended and said: ‘Rejoice in two lights given to you that no prophet before you received — Al-Fatihah and the last verses of Surah Al-Baqarah. You will not recite a letter from them except that you will be given it.’”
Source: Sahih Muslim (806) | Grade: Authentic
Hudhayfah Ibn Al-Yaman (رضي الله عنه)
“An angel descended to earth for the first time this night. He asked permission from his Lord to greet me and give me the good news that Al-Hasan and Al-Husain are the masters of the youth of Paradise, and that Fatimah is the master of the women of Paradise.”
Source: Sahih Al-Jami (1328) | Grade: Authentic
📖 About Dihya Bin Khalifa Al-Kalbi (رضي الله عنه)
Ibn Kathir mentions in Al-Bidayah wa’l-Nihayah (vol. 8/52):
“He was a great Companion of noble appearance. Jibreel would often take his form. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent him as an envoy to Caesar (Heraclius). He witnessed the Battle of Yarmouk and resided in Mazzeh (west of Damascus) until his death during the caliphate of Muawiyah (رضي الله عنه).”
He also served as an envoy between Muawiyah and Al-Hasan (رضي الله عنهما).
📚 Key Sources Reference
| Source | Reference |
|---|---|
| Sahih Al-Bukhari | Vol. 2/140, 2/308, 2/315, 4/81, 4777 |
| Sahih Muslim | Vol. 4/1887, 4/1896, 806 |
| Musnad Ahmad | Vol. 6/56, 6/74–75, 6/131, 6/141–142, 6/148 |
| Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d | Vol. 8/67–68 |
| Seerah Ibn Hisham | Part Two — Battle of Banu Qurayzah |
| Al-Isabah | Vol. 1/299, 4/274 |
| Al-Bidayah wa’l-Nihayah | Vol. 8/52 |
| Sahih Al-Jami | 1328 |
| Sahih Al-Adab Al-Mufrad | 616 |
Tags: #Hadith #Jibreel #Revelation #Companions #IslamicStudies #Dawah