Fath al-Rabbani

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) that Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), saw Jibreel (Gabriel) (peace be upon him) in his true form twice. Once, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself requested Jibreel, he showed his true form, which filled the horizon. The second time was when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ascended with him (on the occasion of Isra and Mi'raj), as Allah Almighty said: {وَہُوَ بِالْأُفُقِ الْأَ عْلٰی ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلّٰی فَکَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَیْنِ أَ وْ أَدْنٰی فَأَ وْحٰی إِلٰی عَبْدِہِ مَا أَ وْحٰی} … while he was on the highest horizon. Then he drew near and hung suspended. Until he was at a distance of two bow-lengths or even closer. Then he revealed to Allah’s servant what He revealed. When Jibreel (peace be upon him) sensed his Lord, he assumed his true form and fell in prostration. Regarding this, the statement of Allah the Exalted is: {وَلَقَدْ رَآہُ نَزْلَۃً أُخْرٰی عِنْدَ سِدْرَۃِ الْمُنْتَہٰی عِنْدَہَا جَنَّۃُ الْمَأْوٰی إِذْ یَغْشَی السِّدْرَۃَ مَا یَغْشَی مَا زَاغَ الْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغٰی لَقَدْ رَأٰ ی مِنْ آیَاتِ رَبِّہِ الْکُبْرٰی} … which he saw with his eyes. And once again he saw him descending at Sidrat al-Muntaha. Near it is the Garden of Refuge (Jannat al-Ma'wa). When there covered the lote tree that which covered it. The sight did not swerve nor did it transgress (its limit). And he certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord. They said: This refers to the being of Jibreel (peace be upon him).