It is narrated from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.

It is narrated from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) in reliable traditions that when Jibraeel waited upon the Prophet, he sat in the manner of a servant before the Prophet, and that he did not enter the Prophet’s house till invited to do so. He stood at a place which is today known as Maqam Jibraeel. It is mentioned in other traditions that sometimes when the Messenger of Allah (S) used to be with the companions he suddenly swooned and fell into a profuse perspiration.

This was a sign of descent of divine revelation This, according to Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.), was occasioned by his awe at the words of God, and at the majesty and glory of the Eternal one. This state did not occur on Jibraeel’s visiting him, but only when he received a direct communication from the Almighty Allah. It is narrated from Amirul Momineen (a.s.) that divine communications are made to prophets in different ways; sometimes through angels, and sometimes directly from Allah.

The Prophet asked Jibraeel how he received divine communications. He replied, “From Israfeel.” “And where does Israfeel get them?” “It falls into his heart,” said Jibraeel. Ali bin Ibrahim has narrated from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) that Jibraeel said to the Messenger of Allah (S) that Israfeel is the porter of the Lord, and of all creatures, nearest to the place from where divine communications proceed.

There is a tablet of ruby between his eyes, which on a communication being given touches his forehead. At this signal he looks at the tablet, and imparts the communication to us, and we transmit it through the heavens and earth.

The same Imam relates that as the inhabitants of heaven had heard no communication from the time of Prophet Isa (a.s.) till the assumption of the prophetical office by the Prophet, they swooned with terror at the thunder of a voice, like the sound of iron on a hard rock, communicating the Qur’an. When the communication was ended, Jibraeel came down through the heavens and quelled the fears of the inhabitants.

And Ayyashi has narrated from Imam Ali (a.s.) that when the Prophet received Surah Maidah, as he was riding his Mule called Shahba, and such was the weight, that the mule stopped and bent under the burden till its stomach nearly touched the ground. The Messenger of Allah (S) swooned and his hand was on the head of Mamba bin Wahab. When the condition normalized, he recited Surah Maidah.