He would sometimes take on the form of a Bedouin Arab and at other times the likeness of Dihyah al-Kalbi. In the same vein is His saying in the story of Mary:

“We sent to her Our Spirit, who appeared to her as a well-proportioned man. She said, ‘I seek refuge with the Most Merciful from you—if you are truly God-fearing.’ He replied, ‘I am but a messenger from your Lord, sent to bestow upon you a pure son.’”