Sahih al-Bukhari 7455
Sahih al-Bukhari · Book 97: Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed) · “And, verily, Our Word has gone forth of old for Our slaves – the Messengers”
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
حَدَّثَنَا خَلاَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى ، حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ ذَرٍّ ، سَمِعْتُ أَبِي يُحَدِّثُ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " يَا جِبْرِيلُ مَا يَمْنَعُكَ أَنْ تَزُورَنَا أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا تَزُورُنَا ". فَنَزَلَتْ {وَمَا نَتَنَزَّلُ إِلاَّ بِأَمْرِ رَبِّكَ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِينَا وَمَا خَلْفَنَا} إِلَى آخِرِ الآيَةِ. قَالَ هَذَا كَانَ الْجَوَابَ لِمُحَمَّدٍ صلى الله عليه وسلم .
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O Gabriel, what prevents you. from visiting us more often than you do?" Then this Verse was revealed:--'And we angels descend not but by Command of your Lord. To Him belongs what is before us and what is behind us..' (19.64) So this was the answer to Muhammad.