وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَىٰ 13
Translations
And he certainly saw him in another descent
Transliteration
Wa-laqad ra'ahu nuzlatan ukhra
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) vision of Angel Gabriel in his true form a second time. The first encounter was at the cave of Hira, and this second sighting occurred during the night journey (Isra') or at another significant moment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that despite Gabriel's frightening appearance with six hundred wings, the Prophet maintained composure and received divine guidance, demonstrating his special status and the authenticity of his prophetic mission.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Najm, which describes the Prophet's spiritual experiences and visions. The surah specifically addresses the miraculous encounters Muhammad had with the Angel Gabriel and his ascension to the heavens, establishing the certainty and divine nature of revelation. This context appears in the Meccan period when the Prophet faced opposition regarding the reality of his revelations.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari narrates that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) described how the Prophet saw Gabriel in his true form with six hundred wings. Also relevant is the hadith in Muslim where the Prophet describes his encounters with Gabriel as moments of divine communication confirming prophethood.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that divine communication with the Prophet was real and witnessed, not merely imaginative or delusional claims. It encourages trust in the Prophet's message and recognition that spiritual realities transcend ordinary human perception, inviting reflection on the unseen dimensions of faith.