According to
Christianity,
Gabriel is an
angel (or
archangel) who visited
Zacharias and
Mary, the mother of Jesus, to announce the imminent birth of their children, one of which would be
Jesus, according to the letter of
Luke in the
first century. Also plays a prominent role in the the
book of Revelation.
According to Islam, Gabriel is the angel who visited Mohammed and gave him the Qur'an. (see Jabril)