وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ بِٱلْأُفُقِ ٱلْمُبِينِ 23
Translations
And he has already seen him [i.e., Gabriel] in the clear horizon.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad ra'ahu bi-al-ufuqi al-mubin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) witnessing the Angel Gabriel (Jibril) in his true, magnificent form on the clear horizon. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as the Prophet's vision of the angel at the beginning of his prophethood, specifically during the revelation of Surah Al-'Alaq. This encounter on the 'clear horizon' emphasizes the clarity and undeniable nature of the revelation the Prophet received.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah At-Takwir, a Meccan surah that describes the cosmic signs of the Day of Judgment and validates the Prophet's prophetic mission. The broader context addresses those who doubted the Prophet's message, and this particular ayah serves as testimony to the authenticity of his prophetic experience through his direct encounter with Gabriel.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4953): 'Aishah reported that the first revelation came to the Prophet while he was in the cave of Hira, and Jibril appeared to him with the command 'Iqra' (Read). Also relevant is the hadith in Sunan An-Nasa'i where the Prophet described seeing Jibril in his true form on the horizon.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the Prophet's message came through genuine divine encounter and was not a matter of doubt or conjecture, providing spiritual assurance that Islam is built upon clear signs and authentic revelation. For contemporary readers, it emphasizes the importance of recognizing and trusting in divinely-guided truth and the certainty that comes from authentic spiritual experience.