She kept saying, “Perhaps this is because of something you used to see and hear before today!”
He answered, “O Khadijah, do you remember the vision I used to see in my sleep, and the voice I would hear while awake—so terrifying to me? It was Gabriel who has now appeared to me openly. He spoke with me and recited words that filled me with fear; then he returned and informed me that I am the Prophet of this community. As I was coming back I passed by trees and stones, and they said, ‘Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah.’”
Khadijah replied, “Rejoice! By Allah, I always knew that Allah would deal with you only in goodness. I testify that you are the Prophet of this nation whom the Jews are awaiting. A trustworthy adviser—my servant—and Bahīrā the monk (1) told me about him and commanded me to marry you more than twenty years ago.”
She remained with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ until he ate, drank, and smiled. She then went to the monk, who lived close to Mecca. When she drew near and he recognised her, he said, “What troubles you, O foremost lady of Quraysh?” She said, “I have come so that you may tell me about Gabriel.”
He exclaimed, “Glory be to Allah, our Holy Lord! Why is Gabriel being mentioned in this land whose people worship idols? Gabriel is Allah’s trustee and His messenger to His prophets and messengers; he was the companion of Moses and Jesus.” Khadijah understood thereby the honour Allah had granted Muhammad.
Next she went to a slave of ʿUtbah ibn Rabīʿah named ʿAddās, questioned him, and he gave her the same answer as the monk—indeed, even more: “Gabriel was with Moses when Allah drowned Pharaoh and his people, and he was with him when Allah spoke to him on the Mount. He is also the companion of Jesus son of Mary, whom Allah strengthened through him.”
She then left him and went to Waraqah ibn Nawfal, asked him about Gabriel, and he replied in the same way. He then asked, “What is the news?” She made him swear to keep secret what she was about to say, and he swore.
She said, “Ibn ʿAbd Allah has told me—and he is truthful; by Allah, he has neither lied nor been belied—that Gabriel came down to him in Ḥirāʾ, told him that he is the Prophet of this community, and recited to him verses with which he has been sent.”
Waraqah was alarmed and said, “If Gabriel has indeed set foot upon the earth, then he has descended upon the best of its inhabitants. He never descends except to a prophet; he is the companion of the prophets and messengers whom Allah sends to them. I believe you about him, but send Ibn ʿAbd Allah to me so that I may question him, hear his words, and converse with him. I fear it may be someone other than Gabriel, for some devils imitate him in order to mislead and corrupt certain children of Adam until a man of sound mind becomes bewildered and insane.”
She left him, confident in Allah that He would bring only good to her companion, and returned to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, informing him of what Waraqah had said. Thereupon Allah Most High revealed: “Nun. By the Pen and what they inscribe, by the grace of your Lord you are not a madman …” (Qur’an 68:1–2) and the following verses.
He said to her, “Never! By Allah, it is indeed Gabriel.” She said, “I would like you to go to him and inform him, so that perhaps Allah may guide him.”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then went to Waraqah. Waraqah asked, “The one who came to you—did he come in light or in darkness?” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ described Gabriel’s appearance, the awe-inspiring greatness and form he had seen, and what he had revealed to him (3).
Waraqah said, “I bear witness that this is Gabriel, and that this is the Word of Allah. He has commanded you …”