The Messenger of Revelation

 

What Does "Shadidul Quwa" Really Mean?

Recently, I was reading Surah An-Najm.
The chapter opens with an oath by the star as it falls, and soon begins speaking about the source of revelation.
When I reached verse 5, one phrase stood out to me:

عَلَّمَهُ شَدِيدُ الْقُوَىٰ
“He was taught by one mighty in power.” (Surah An-Najm, 53:5)

This “shadidul quwa” — “one mighty in power” — is interpreted by scholars as referring to the Archangel Jibril (Gabriel).
But this raised an important question:

“Why is Gabriel described as ‘mighty in power’? Isn’t he an angel already created with the capacity to perfectly obey?
Why emphasize strength? Are we to assume weakness otherwise?”

That’s when I encountered Fakhr al-Din al-Razi’s tafsir (exegesis) — and I’ll admit, it made me angry.

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What Did Al-Razi Say?

In his famous Tafsir al-Kabir (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Razi explains:

• “Shadidul quwa” implies not only physical strength but also moral and intellectual strength.

• Gabriel is “Dhu Mirrah” (of firm character), meaning he is spiritually and morally upright.

• Revelation is a heavy burden, and only a being with spiritual integrity and rational capacity can carry it.

And here’s where the frustration started.

Gabriel Is an Angel – He Has No Nafs (Ego) or ‘Aql (Reasoning Faculty)

Here’s why this interpretation contradicts basic Qur’anic theology:

1. Angels have no free will. They are created to obey.

2. They do not possess ‘aql in the human sense — no deliberation, no doubt, no ethical trial.

3. They cannot sin, nor can they rebel. Therefore, to speak of “moral power” or “ethical integrity” is to anthropomorphize them.

The Qur’an makes this absolutely clear:

“They do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do as they are commanded.”
(Surah At-Tahrim, 66:6)

“They fear their Lord above them and do what they are commanded.”
(Surah An-Nahl, 16:50)

So we ask:

“Dear Imam Razi, how can you say Gabriel demonstrates ‘moral strength’? He has no option to do otherwise!”

This is a clear example of projecting philosophical categories onto metaphysical beings.

Then What Does “Shadidul Quwa” Mean?

Here’s the more Qur’an-centered interpretation we proposed:

Gabriel is "mighty in power" not because of his own will, but because God made him untouchable and uninterruptible in his mission.

The power here is not just about ability.
It’s about divine security, protection, and authority.
Gabriel is not just “strong.”
He is undisturbed, unreachable, unalterable — by Allah’s will.

Can Demonic Forces Interfere with Revelation?

The Qur’an tells us that jinn and devils used to eavesdrop on heavenly matters:

“They cannot eavesdrop on the exalted assembly [of angels] and are pelted from every side.”
(Surah As-Saffat, 37:8)

“If one snatches a word, a flaming fire pursues him.”
(Surah As-Saffat, 37:10)

This means that revelation was protected, and those trying to listen in were repelled.

So a question naturally arises:

“Could these demonic forces intercept Gabriel as he descends with revelation? Could they corrupt or block him?”

The answer is in the very same verse 5:

“He was taught by one mighty in power.”

Meaning:

• Gabriel is protected by divine decree.

• He is unapproachable by any being.

• The path of revelation is not just holy — it’s sealed.

The Revelation Is Secure

Other verses confirm this:

“The devils did not bring it down. It does not befit them, nor are they capable.”
(Surah Ash-Shu’ara, 26:210-211)

“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will be its guardian.”
(Surah Al-Hijr, 15:9)

Gabriel’s Role Was Preordained

This is where we added a key insight:

Allah created Gabriel specifically for this mission.
He is the divine courier — the ambassador of revelation.
He is equipped for this role.
He does not move of his own will;
he acts only with Allah’s command, and exists as a vessel of divine transmission.

So the meaning of “shadidul quwa” is not that Gabriel is ethically admirable or mentally disciplined.
Rather, it means:

“This message is protected. This angel is the most secure courier in the cosmos.
Nothing can touch him. Nothing can alter what he delivers. And he delivers nothing but the truth.”

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What About Al-Razi?

We don’t accuse al-Razi of bad faith.
Perhaps he was trying to emphasize the importance of revelation, and he wanted to philosophically reinforce Gabriel’s authority.
But in doing so, he crossed a boundary —
assigning human traits to a being that was never meant to be humanlike.

The result?
A subtle distortion of the divine order.

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Trust the Qur’an, Not Human Philosophies

Let’s make it simple.

Gabriel is not “strong” because of moral greatness.
He is strong because Allah made him unopposable.

He has no ego. No doubt. No internal struggle.
He delivers what he is told — and that is perfection in itself.

In a world of confusion and false authority, the Qur’an tells us this:

Your Prophet was not misled. He was taught by the one who cannot be misled.

That’s all we need to know.
And that is why this verse, Surah Najm, 53:5, is a promise of purity, a seal of truth.

Wise Man...