Final answer:
Muhammad's relationship with the angel Gabriel was a defining aspect of his role as a prophet in Islam. Gabriel delivered divine revelations to Muhammad which formed the basis of the Qur'an, and guided him on the Night Journey. Despite challenges, Muhammad accepted and fulfilled his role as the messenger of God.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Islamic belief, Muhammad and the angel Gabriel had a significant spiritual connection. In the year 610, while Muhammad was in a state of contemplation in a cave near Mecca, he received his first revelation from God through Gabriel, marking the beginning of his journey as a prophet. Gabriel, known as Jabrīl in Arabic, commanded Muhammad to recite the verses that would later be compiled as the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. Muhammad, previously a successful trader, embraced his role as God's messenger despite the personal and social challenges it presented, including opposition from the polytheistic society of Mecca at that time.
Muhammad's encounters with Gabriel continued throughout his life, contributing to the core messages of Islam and the creation of the Qur'an. His pivotal experience in 621 CE, known as the Night Journey, involved Gabriel taking him from Mecca to Jerusalem and then ascending into heaven. This transformative experience further cemented Muhammad's role as a prophet and established significant religious sites for Muslims. The revelations Muhammad received from Gabriel are considered to be the final and definitive version of God's will, following a line of prophets that includes Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.