So he was the measure of two bows or closer still.
[Qur'aan 53:9]
Al-Shaibini reported to us:
I asked Zirr bin Hubaish about the words of Allah (the Mighty and Great):" So he was (at a distance) of two bows or nearer" (al-Qur'an 53:9). He said: Ibn Mas'uud informed me that, verily, the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) saw Gabriel and he had six hundred wings.
[Sahih Muslim Hadith No. 174]
The scholars have differed in regards to the meaning of this Verse.
One group is of the opinion that it refers to the distance between Jibriil and the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) as mentioned in the above narration.
The
second group is of the opinion that it refers to the distance between Jibriil and Allaah.
The
third group is of the opinion that it refers to the distance between the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and Allaah.
'Aishah (may Allaah be pleased with her),
Ibn Masuud (may Allaah be pleased with him),
Abu Dhar (may Allaah be pleased with him),
Abu Hurairah (may Allaah be pleased with him), Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathiir have adopted the view that it refers to the distance between Jibriil and the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam).
Reference(s):
Tafsir al-Tabari
http://quran.ksu.edu.sa/tafseer/taba...a53-aya10.html
Tafsir Ibn Kathiir
http://quran.ksu.edu.sa/tafseer/kath...ra53-aya9.html