An-Najm Verse 9

that he was only two arms-lengths away or even less.[[ lit., he was only two bow-draws away.]]

until he was only two bow-lengths away or even closer.

two bows' length away, or nearer,

until he was two bow-lengths away or even closer––

Till he was two bows length off or yet nearer.

And was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer;

until he was two bows' length away, or nearer.

Until a space of two bow (arcs) or even less remained,

So the distance between the Spectacle and the beloved was only two arms’ length, or even less. (The Heavenly Journey of Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him – was with body and soul.)

until he was within two bows’ length or even nearer,

So he was (so near that there was left only the distance between) the strings of two bows (put adjacent to each other) or even nearer (than that).

So that he became (as it were) one chord to two bows or closer still.

So he was (a) short measure of length (of) two arm`s/bow`s (lengths) or nearer .

So the distance between the Spectacle and the beloved was only two arms’ length, or even less. (The Heavenly Journey of Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him – was with body and soul.)

Until he was two bows distant or closer still.

And was at a distance of two bows' length or (even) nearer,

Then he drew near, drew nearer yet,

So he was the measure of two bows or closer still.

Till he was (distant) two bows' length or even nearer,

until he was as close to him as the distance of two bows, or even less.

he was but two bows' length or even nearer,

And was at a distance of two bows' length or less.

until he was two bow-lengths away or even closer

He was within two bows’ length, or closer.

until he was, from him [the Prophet], within the length of two bows away or [even] nearer, than that, until he [the Prophet] had regained consciousness and his fright had subsided,

And was at a distance of two bows` length or less.

means, Jibril came closer to Muhammad when Jibril was descending to him on earth. At that time, the distance between them became only two bow lengths, when the bows are extended to full length, according to Mujahid and Qatadah.

It was said that the meaning here is the distance between the bow's string and its wood center.

Allah's statement,
أَوْ أَدْنَى
(or less) indicates that the distance was as only as far described, not more. This type of usage is found in several instances in the Qur'an, such as,

ثُمَّ قَسَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ مِّن بَعْدِ ذلِكَ فَهِىَ كَالْحِجَارَةِ أَوْ أَشَدُّ قَسْوَةً

Then, after that, your hearts were hardened and became as stones or even worse in hardness. (2;74)

The Ayah says that their hearts became not softer than rocks, but as hard and difficult as rocks, and more.

There is a similar Ayah,

يَخْشَوْنَ النَّاسَ كَخَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ أَوْ أَشَدَّ خَشْيَةً

fear men as they fear Allah or even more. (4;77),

and Allah's statement,

وَأَرْسَلْنَـهُ إِلَى مِاْيَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ

And We sent him to hundred thousand (people) or even more. (37;147),

indicating that they were not less than a hundred thousand, but that amount or more.

Therefore, this verifies the facts mentioned, leaving no doubt or means of refute. Similarly, Allah said,
فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى
(And was at a distance of two bow lengths or less).

We stated before that it was Jibril who came down near the Prophet, according to A'ishah, the Mother of the faithful, Abdullah bin Mas`ud, Abu Dharr and Abu Hurayrah. We will mention their statements about this soon afterwards, Allah willing.

Ibn Jarir recorded that Abdullah bin Mas`ud said about this Ayah,
فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى
(And was at a distance of two bow lengths or less).

Allah's Messenger said,

رَأَيْتُ جِبْرِيلَ لَهُ سِتُّمِايَةِ جَنَاح

I saw Jibril; he had six hundred wings.

Al-Bukhari recorded that Talq bin Ghannam said that Za'idah said that Ash-Shaybani said,

"I asked Zirr about the Ayah,

فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى

فَأَوْحَى إِلَى عَبْدِهِ مَا أَوْحَى

And was at a distance of two bow lengths or less. So (Allah) revealed to His servant whatever He revealed.

Zirr said,

"Abdullah narrated to us that Muhammad saw Jibril having six hundred wings."

Allah's statement,

فَأَوْحَى إِلَى عَبْدِهِ مَا أَوْحَى