How are those who are spoken to addressed, without them being prophets, and does Gabriel come to them with revelation?

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, he said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Indeed, among the nations before you, there were people who were inspired (muhaddathun). If there is anyone in my nation [like them], then it is Umar." Zakariya ibn Abi Za'idah added, on the authority of Sa'd, from Abu Salamah, from Abu Hurayrah, who said: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Indeed, among those before you from the Children of Israel, there were men who were spoken to, without being prophets. If there is anyone in my nation among them, then it is Umar."

The meaning [of "muhaddathun"] is that they are inspired. It was also said that angels speak to them, and scholars did not specify Jibreel [as the angel who speaks to them]. Al-Qastalani explained it as angels speaking to them without them being prophets, or that they are spoken to within themselves, which leads back to inspiration. Ibn Hajar mentioned that a "muhaddath" is one who is inspired, meaning that something is cast into their hearts from the higher assembly (al-mala' al-a'la), or one whose tongue speaks what is right without intention, or "spoken to," meaning angels speak to them without [it being] prophecy. Al-Haythami said in Al-Majma': "Al-Tabarani narrated it in Al-Awsat, and in its chain is Abu Sa'd, the servant of Al-Hasan Al-Basri, and I do not know him, but the rest of its narrators are trustworthy." End quote.

The first meaning (inspiration) is supported by what is established in the mu'allaq narration, and Ibn Al-Teen interpreted it as perspicacity (tafarrus). In Musnad Al-Humaidi, following the hadith of Aisha, it states: "The muhaddath is the one inspired with what is right, that which is cast upon their mouth." And in Muslim, from the narration of Ibn Wahb: "Inspired, and it is hitting the mark without prophecy." In Al-Tirmidhi's narration from some companions of Ibn Uyaynah: "Muhaddathun means understood." And in Al-Isma'ili's narration: "Ibrahim – meaning Ibn Sa'd, its narrator – said: His saying 'muhaddath': meaning, it is cast into his heart." End quote. This is further supported by the hadith: "Indeed, Allah has placed the truth upon Umar's tongue and heart," narrated by Al-Tirmidhi from the hadith of Ibn Umar.

Al-Qari said in Al-Mirqat: "And the meaning of 'muhaddathun' – and Allah knows best – is those who are inspired with what is right. It is also permissible to take it at its apparent meaning, that angels speak to them, not through revelation, but with what is called 'speech,' and that is a great virtue." End quote.