(77) باب مَعْنَى قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: {وَلَقَدْ رَآهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَى} وَهَلْ رَأَى النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ رَبَّهُ لَيْلَةَ الإِسْرَاءِ
Masruq reported:
I said to 'A'isha: What about the words of Allah:" Then he drew nigh and came down, so he was at a distance of two bows or closer still: so He revealed to His servant what He revealed" (al-Qur'an, liii. 8-10)? She said: It implies Gabriel. He used to come to him (the Holy Prophet) in the shape of men; but he came at this time in his true form and blocked up the horizon of the sky.
Reference: Sahih Muslim 177 d
In-book reference: Book 1, Hadith 349
USC-MSA web (English) reference(deprecated numbering scheme): Book 1, Hadith 340