Qahtani ABHA — Imam of the grand mosque in Khamis Mushayat, Ahmed Al-Hawashi, has claimed that Archangel Gabriel and a group of other angels attended Taraweeh (special Ramadan night prayers) with him. In the supplications at the end of the prayer, the imam greeted the angel several times saying "Salam-o-Alaikum Gabriel and other angels with you." The social media was quick to circulate a video clip showing the imam greeting the angels. Emir of Asir Prince Faisal Bin Khaled constituted a committee of senior scholars to meet with the imam and discuss the issue. The governorate later issued a statement saying that the committee explained to the imam that Lailatu Al-Qadr (Night of Power) could be any of the odd nights during the last 10 days of Ramadan and not necessarily on the 29th night as claimed by him. The statement said Al-Hawashi was convinced by the explanations of the committee and promised never to repeat what he had said. The statement concluded that the imam has retracted what he had claimed. On his part Al-Hawashi said he did no mean that he had seen the angel or shook hands with him but that greeting angels is permitted in Islam. He said the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) greeted Gabriel in the presence of the Prophet (pbuh) himself when the Archangel came to inform Sayyida Khadijah, the first wife of the Prophet, of a house in heavens.
