Objection Summary
Some people raise the question:
“Since the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the Beloved of Allah, the reason for creation, and the city of knowledge, then who possessed more knowledge — the Prophet ﷺ or Jibreel (AS)? If the Prophet ﷺ is superior, then what did Jibreel come to teach him? How could someone who existed before creation be in need of knowledge?”
Answer: A Misleading Comparison and Result of Misunderstanding
❖ The Question is Fundamentally Imbalanced
This objection arises from a flawed and inappropriate comparison. A more reasonable question would be:
“Who had more knowledge — the first human and prophet, Adam (AS), or the angel Jibreel (AS)?”
The Qur’an provides a clear answer to this comparison.
Guidance from the Qur’an
"وَعَلَّمَ آدَمَ الْأَسْمَاءَ كُلَّهَا..."
(Al-Baqarah: 29–33)
Translation:
And He taught Adam the names of all things; then He presented them to the angels and said, “Tell Me the names of these if you are truthful.” They said, “Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us.”
These verses clearly demonstrate that Allah granted the human being (Adam AS) knowledge superior to that of angels — including Jibreel (AS).
Angels possess limited knowledge, only that which Allah has granted them.
Humans, by contrast, were endowed with reason, analysis, observation, and the ability to acquire knowledge.
Two Types of Knowledge in Islam
① Revealed Knowledge (علم وحی):
This includes all knowledge directly revealed by Allah to His messengers — such as the Qur'an.
"وَالسَّمَاءَ بَنَيْنَاهَا بِأَيْدٍ وَإِنَّا لَمُوسِعُونَ"
(Al-Dhāriyāt: 47)
“We built the heavens with Our power, and We are expanding it.”
This truth was already revealed in the Qur’an long before it was scientifically observed.
② Acquired Knowledge (علم مشاہدہ):
This is the knowledge obtained through human observation, experimentation, and reasoning.
Example: In 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble observed that the universe is expanding, which led to the Big Bang theory. However, this was already confirmed in revealed knowledge centuries earlier.
Comparison Between Human and Angelic Knowledge
- Angels are limited to revealed commands and do not engage in discovery or independent analysis.
- Humans are blessed with the ability to combine both revealed and observational knowledge, making them superior in capacity.
The Relationship Between the Prophet ﷺ and Jibreel (AS)
❖ Role of Jibreel (AS): Messenger, Not Teacher
Jibreel (AS) did not come as a teacher but as a messenger to convey revelation from Allah to the Prophet ﷺ.
His role was conveyance of divine messages, not instruction from a superior to an inferior.
❖ The Prophet ﷺ’s Knowledge
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ possessed:
- Perfect knowledge from revelation,
- Divinely inspired understanding,
- And insight beyond the angelic realm.
Jibreel (AS)’s knowledge was limited to what Allah assigned him to deliver.
Sources of Revelation (Wahy)
The Prophet ﷺ himself explained that revelation came in different forms, not all through Jibreel (AS):
- True dreams (Ru'yā Ṣāliḥah)
- Inspiration directly placed in the heart while awake
- The speech of the angel (Jibreel) delivering Allah’s words
This shows that Jibreel (AS) was only one means among others — not the sole conduit of divine knowledge.
Human Superiority Over Angels
- Humans are gifted with reason, reflection, and choice
- Angels simply obey commands without analysis or intellectual engagement
"لَا يَعْصُونَ اللَّهَ مَا أَمَرَهُمْ..."
(Al-Taḥrīm: 6)
“They do not disobey Allah in what He commands them…”
Thus, intellectual capacity and knowledge potential are far greater in humans than in angels.
Conclusion
✔ Jibreel (AS) did not teach the Prophet ﷺ; he was a conveyor of revelation.
✔ The Prophet ﷺ’s knowledge was perfect and complete, granted by Allah directly.
✔ Angels lack the capacity for analysis and acquired knowledge; humans do not.
✔ The question comparing Jibreel (AS) to the Prophet ﷺ in terms of knowledge is invalid and based on a misunderstanding of their respective roles.
وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
And Allah knows best what is correct
