Exalting the Mention of Angel Gibreel
Fatwa No: 85006

Question

When the name of Angel Gibreel is mentioned some people said Alaihi Salatu Wa Salaam. Is there any evidence for this from the Qur'an or Hadith?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Angel Gibreel (Gabriel) is mentioned in several authentic Ahadeeth. One time, his name is followed with 'blessings and peace be upon him'; other times, it is followed with 'peace be upon him'; and in other narrations, he is mentioned without anything.

Abu Thar narrated that the Prophet said: “A hole was made in the ceiling of my home in Makkah, and then, Gibreel, blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, came down.” [Al-Bukhari]

Abu Thar also narrated that the Prophet said: “Gibreel, peace be upon him, came to me and said: 'Whoever from among your followers (Muslims) dies without associating a partner with Allah, will enter Paradise.” [Al-Bukhari]

A third Hadeeth reads: “It is Gibreel who has come to teach you your religion.” [Al-Bukhari]

The above-stated Ahadeeth give a clear evidence that both forms of 'peace be upon him' and 'blessings and peace be upon him' are legitimate.

From a linguistic point of view, as-Salah means supplication. The scholars are of the view that al-Salah from Allah means 'to mention the one who says this Salah among the angels.'

Other scholars are of the opinion that al-Salah from Allah means every blessing that is related to glorification.

As for "Salaam: peace", it means greeting and safety.

The righteous predecessors used to say: “Blessings and peace be upon him' when the Prophet Muhammad is mentioned; '', when the Prophets and angels are mentioned; '/her', when the Companions are mentioned; and 'May Allah's Mercy be upon him', when a righteous predecessor is mentioned.

As a result, there is no objection to use any of the three ways, i.e. with/out saying 'blessing and peace of Allah be upon him, while mentioning Gibreel for the authentic Hadeeth stated above.

Allah knows best.

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