English Translation

Abu al-Nadr told us, Muhammad ibn Talha told us, from al-Walid ibn Qays, from Ishaq ibn Abi al-Kahtalah, who said - Muhammad said, I think it is from Ibn Mas'ud - that he said: "Muhammad did not see Gabriel in his true form except twice. Once, he asked him to show himself to him in his form, and he showed him his form, and it blocked the horizon. The other time was when he ascended with him when he was taken up. And His saying: 'While he was in the highest horizon. Then he drew near and descended, and was at a distance of two bow-lengths or nearer. And he revealed to His servant what he revealed.' He said: When Gabriel sensed his Lord, he returned to his form and prostrated. And His saying: 'And he certainly saw him in another descent, at the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary. Near it is the Garden of Refuge, when there covered the Lote Tree that which covered it. The sight did not swerve, nor did it transgress. He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.'" He said: "That refers to the form of Gabriel, peace be upon him."