for both of them to have fabricated it independently is inconceivable; once the possibility of collusion is ruled out, the only reasonable conclusion is that the account is true. Accordingly, each man’s relating it stands as evidence of his prophethood.

Allah, Exalted is He, also says:

“And tell them about the guests of Abraham: when they came in to him and said, ‘Peace,’ he replied, ‘We are afraid of you.’ They said, ‘Do not be afraid; we bring you good tidings of a knowledgeable son.’ He said, ‘Do you give me good tidings now that old age has overtaken me? Of what, then, do you give me good tidings?’ They said, ‘We give you good tidings in truth, so do not be among the despairing.’ He said, ‘Who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except those who are astray?’ He asked, ‘So what is your business, O messengers?’ They said, ‘We have been sent to a sinful people—except for the household of Lot; we shall surely save them all, except his wife; We have decreed that she will be among those who remain behind.’ When the messengers came to the family of Lot, he said, ‘You are a people unknown to me.’ They said, ‘No indeed; we have brought you that about which they used to doubt. We bring you the truth, and we are most certainly truthful. Set out with your family in a part of the night, follow in their rear, and let none of you look back. Proceed to where you are commanded.’”

This narrative affirms the existence of angels: they are living, articulate beings, distinct from human beings, who address people and are seen by them in human form—whether the form of prophets or of other men—just as Sarah, the wife of the Friend of Allah (Abraham, peace be upon him), saw them, and just as the Companions used to see Gabriel whenever he came.