Belief in Angels

Belief in Angels is one of the pillars of Islam. If one denies the existence of angels he has no place in Islam, because Qur’aan and the teachings of The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم has disclosed some information about them. And all the believers believe that the message of Allah, The Almighty, was given to the messengers of Him through the Angels. And if one denies the angels they are really denying the very foundation the teachings of Islam.

Allah (swt ), says:

ليسَ ٱلۡبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمۡ قِبَلَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقِ وَٱلۡمَغۡرِبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلۡبِرَّ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةِ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ

" It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the east or the west, but it is righteousness to believe in the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets(Qur’aan 2:177)

When the angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) came to The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم he asked him: Tell me about Eemaan¹." The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم replied: Eemaan is: to believe in Allah سبحانه وتعالى (to affirm His Oneness in worship, in His Names and Attributes and in His Lordship), His angels, His Books, His Messengers, and to believe in the Last Day and Qadr, both good and bad (Divine Predestination).(Narrated by Muslim)

Here, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) has defined faith as consisting of six pillars: Belief in Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day and Qadr, both good and bad; and so faith cannot be built except upon these six pillars, just as a building cannot be constructed except upon these firm foundations. The meaning of faith in Allah’s angels is to believe in their existence and the works they do in Allah’s Name. The angels were created by Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) from light in order that they worship Him, obey Him and carry out His Commands. They are part of the unseen from amongst His creation-we do not see them, but we are obliged to believe in them with full conviction and without any doubt, because Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), Most High has informed us about them in a clear way which leaves no room for doubt or conjecture, as has His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم). None knows their number, nor their precise nature, nor the exact manner of their creation but Allah (سبحانه وتعالى).

Angels are the obedient servants of Allah. They are created by light. They are not the sons or daughters of Allah, as some deviant sect ascribes. They are totally with a different nature. They don’t eat, don’t drink, don’t urinate, and don’t indulge in intercourse. They are not males or females. They can take many different forms as Allah pleases. The can do many great things with ease. They cannot disobey the commandments of their Master, The Almighty Allah. Only Allah knows their number. There are different types of Angels. Some are with two wings, while some have three or four or any number Allah desires.

Considering their duties Angels are different categories. Some are engaged in continuous prayer and praise to Allah. Some others, without any hesitation, are revolving around the Arsh (The Throne, a gigantic creature of Allah), while a particular sect of the Angels are carrying the same. There is another kind who is dealing the record works of the activities (right/wrong) done by the human beings. A group of them engaged in regulating the lightning, thunder, rain, and such natural phenomena. The duty of questioning of the dead after being put in the grave is assigned to another section. Likewise, there are Angels related to the control of the matters of Paradise and Hell.

There are some Angels who are ready to welcome those who enter Paradise. They will say to the believers while they enter to the abode of Peace:

سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيۡكُم بِمَا صَبَرۡتُمۡ‌ۚ فَنِعۡمَ عُقۡبَى ٱلدَّار(الرعد 24)ِ

"Peace be upon you, because you steadfastly persevered. What a joyous destiny."(Ra ‘ad 23-24)

Those who enter the Hell will be subjected to many kinds of the torments by a particular sect of Angels. May Allah save us from such a fate! Aameen.

Amongst their attributes are:

That they are the armies of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), the Almighty, the All-powerful says:

وَلِلَّهِ جُنُودُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمً۬ا

" To Allah belong the armies of the heavens and the earth."(Qur’aan 48:4)

And concerning the Guardians of Hell, He, (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

عَلَيۡہَا تِسۡعَةَ عَشَرَ

" Over it are nineteen [Guardians]."(Qur’aan 74:30)

Then Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

وَمَا جَعَلۡنَآ أَصۡحَـٰبَ ٱلنَّارِ إِلَّا مَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬‌ۙ وَمَا جَعَلۡنَا عِدَّتَہُمۡ إِلَّا فِتۡنَةً۬ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ "

And We have set none but angels as Guardians of the Fire; and We have fixed their number only as a trial for those who disbelieved." (Quran 74:31)

The disbelievers speculate and argue vainly concerning the number of Guardians, saying: How can it be that this Fire which contains countless numbers of mankind has only nineteen guardians over it? Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

وَمَا جَعَلۡنَا عِدَّتَہُمۡ إِلَّا فِتۡنَةً۬ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ

" And We have fixed their number 19 only as a trial for those who disbelieved." (Qur’aan 74:31)

Also amongst the angels’ attributes is that they are the winged Messengers of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) to mankind; Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ فَاطِرِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ جَاعِلِ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ رُسُلاً أُوْلِىٓ أَجۡنِحَةٍ۬ مَّثۡنَىٰ وَثُلَـٰثَ وَرُبَـٰعَۚ يَزِيدُ فِى ٱلۡخَلۡقِ مَا يَشَآءُۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ قَدِيرٌ۬

" All praise be to Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, Who made the angels Messengers with wings, two, three or four." (Qur’aan 35:1)

That is, some of them have two wings, while others have three and others four, while others still have more; it is related by Bukhari that the Messenger of Allah (saas) saw Jibreel (as) and he had six hundred wings, each of them filling the horizon.

The angels possess great strength by Allah’s Will, and the proof of this is that when Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) sends forth an angel, he gives just one shout and a part of creation is destroyed, as it happened to the people of Thamood:

إِنَّآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمۡ صَيۡحَةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ فَكَانُواْ كَهَشِيمِ ٱلۡمُحۡتَظِرِ

" Verily, We sent but one shout and they became like dry twigs of the builder of the cattle fold." (Qur’aan 54:31)

Thus, the people of Thamood, who rejoiced in their great strength and arrogance became like dry sticks after the shout from the angel took them. Likewise the people of Loot (as) who lived in three or four townships, but the angel Jibreel (as) raised them up, people, buildings and all, until the other angels could hear the dogs barking and the cocks crowing, then he inverted their towns upon them and Allah (swt) caused the earth to collapse upon them and then stones of baked clay were rained upon them, according to At-Tabari, who narrated the story in his commentary on verse 82 of Soorah Hood.

It is Israafeel (angel) (Alaihissalam) who will blow the trumpet on the Last Day; the first trump will cause the death of every living creature in the heavens and the earth and the destruction of all created things:

فَإِذَا نُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ نَفۡخَةٌ۬ وَٲحِدَةٌ۬ (١٣) وَحُمِلَتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ وَٱلۡجِبَالُ فَدُكَّتَا دَكَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ (١٤) فَيَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ وَقَعَتِ ٱلۡوَاقِعَةُ (١٥) وَٱنشَقَّتِ ٱلسَّمَآءُ فَهِىَ يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ وَاهِيَةٌ۬ (١٦) وَٱلۡمَلَكُ عَلَىٰٓ أَرۡجَآٮِٕهَا‌ۚ وَيَحۡمِلُ عَرۡشَ رَبِّكَ فَوۡقَهُمۡ يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ ثَمَـٰنِيَةٌ (١٧)

" Then when the trumpet will be blown with one blowing [the first], and the earth and the mountains shall be removed from their places, and crushed with a single crushing, then on that Day shall the Great Event befall, and the heaven will split asunder, for that Day it [the heaven] will be frail [weak] and torn up, and the angels will be on its sides, and eight angels will, on that Day, bear the Throne of your Lord above them." (Qur’aan 69:13-17)

Then comes the second trump, which is the Calling Forth:

فَإِذَا هُمۡ قِيَامٌ۬ يَنظُرُونَ

" Then behold! They will be standing, looking on [waiting]." (Qur’aan39:68)

This is just one of the duties of Israafeel (as) which Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has ordered him to perform. The angels are sent by Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) at times to help the Muslims, when they are in need of assistance against the unbelievers:

إِذۡ تَقُولُ لِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ أَلَن يَكۡفِيَكُمۡ أَن يُمِدَّكُمۡ رَبُّكُم بِثَلَـٰثَةِ ءَالَـٰفٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ مُنزَلِينَ

" [Remember] when you [oh, Muhammad] said to the believers: Is it not enough for you that your Lord should help you with three thousand angels, sent down?" (Qur’aan 3:124)

And on the Day of Resurrection, the angels will be sent down to the earth in hosts:

وَيَوۡمَ تَشَقَّقُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِٱلۡغَمَـٰمِ وَنُزِّلَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ تَنزِيلاً

" And [remember] the Day when the heaven shall be rent asunder with clouds, and the angels will be sent down, with a grand descending." (Qur’aan 25:25)

They ask forgiveness for those on earth:

تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتُ يَتَفَطَّرۡنَ مِن فَوۡقِهِنَّ‌ۚ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّہِمۡ وَيَسۡتَغۡفِرُونَ لِمَن فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

" Nearly the heavens might rent asunder from above [by His Majesty], and the angels glorify the praises of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth, verily, Allah is the Oft-forgiving." (Qur’aan 42:5)

And they take out the souls from the dead:

وَٱلنَّـٰزِعَـٰتِ غَرۡقً۬ا (١) وَٱلنَّـٰشِطَـٰتِ نَشۡطً۬ا (٢)

" By those [angels] who pull out [the souls of the disbelievers and the wicked] with great violence; by those (angels) who gently take out [the souls of the Believers]." (Qur’aan 79:1-2)

Then there are those who watch over us:

وَإِنَّ عَلَيۡكُمۡ لَحَـٰفِظِينَ (١٠) كِرَامً۬ا كَـٰتِبِينَ (١١) يَعۡلَمُونَ مَا تَفۡعَلُونَ (١٢)

" But verily, over you [are appointed angels in charge of mankind] to watch you, honourable [in Allah’s sight] writing down [your deeds] they know all that you do." (Qur’aan 82:10-12)

Some of the angels have been appointed as bearers of the Divine Revelation; Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

يُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ بِٱلرُّوحِ مِنۡ أَمۡرِهِۦ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦۤ أَنۡ أَنذِرُوٓاْ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱتَّقُونِ (٢)

" He sends down the angels with inspiration of His Command to whom of His slaves He pleases, [saying]:Warn mankind that none has the right to be worshipped but I, so fear Me.(Qur’aan 16:2)

Of these Messengers, Jibreel (Alaihissalam) is the greatest, the best and the most noble, for it is he who delivered the Qur’aan to Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

نَزَلَ بِهِ ٱلرُّوحُ ٱلۡأَمِينُ (١٩٣) عَلَىٰ قَلۡبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُنذِرِينَ

" The Trustworthy Spirit [Jibreel] has brought it [the Quran] down upon your heart [oh, Muhammad] that you may be [one] of the warners, in the plain Arabic language." (Qur’aan 26:193-195)

Allah (swt)has described Jibreel (as) as possessing many fine attributes, such as:

إِنَّهُ ۥ لَقَوۡلُ رَسُولٍ۬ كَرِيمٍ۬ (١٩) ذِى قُوَّةٍ عِندَ ذِى ٱلۡعَرۡشِ مَكِينٍ۬ (٢٠) مُّطَاعٍ۬ ثَمَّ أَمِينٍ۬ (٢١)

سورة التكوير

" Verily, it [the Quran] is the Word [brought by] a most honourable Messenger [Jibreel] owner of power and high rank with [Allah], the Lord of the Throne, obeyed [by the angels], trustworthy there [in the heavens]." (Qur’aan 81:19-21)

So Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has described Jibreel (ع) as powerful and possessing high rank, and enjoying the unquestioning obedience of the other angels when he orders them to carry out Allah’s Commands; and also described him as trustworthy, that is, in delivering the Divine Revelation-he adds nothing to it, nor does he omit from it even one letter, but delivers it exactly as it is given to him by Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). The Prophet (saas) saw Jibreel (as) on two occasions in his original form: The first time was in Makkah, when he raised his head and saw him in the highest part of the sky, he had six hundred wings, each of them filling the horizon. The second occasion is described by Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), in His (سبحانه وتعالى) Words:

وَلَقَدۡ رَءَاهُ نَزۡلَةً أُخۡرَىٰ (١٣) عِندَ سِدۡرَةِ ٱلۡمُنتَهَىٰ

" And indeed he [Muhammad Sallallahu alaihi wasallam] saw him [Jibreel] at a second descent [i.e. at another time] at Sidrut Al-Muntahaa 2." (Qur’aan53:13,14)

" It is reported on the authority of Maalik, that the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam said on the night of his ascension to the heavens (Al-Miïraaj) that, he travelled to the heavens in the company of Jibreel (Alaihissalam)." (Narrated by Bukhari)

Then there is Meekaail (as) who brings down the rain from the heavens above, as and when he is commanded to do so by Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), Most High. These are the most important of the angels, who carry out the most important of tasks.

Other tasks entrusted to the angels include those whose responsibility is the unborn child in the womb. It is reported on the authority of Ibn Masud that the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam said:

" Verily, each of you is created in the form of a drop of sperm in his mother’s womb for forty days, then he is a clot for a similar period, then he is a lump of flesh (the size of a morsel) for a similar (period), then the angel is sent to breathe (human) spirit into him, then (the angel) is ordered to write down his share of livelihood, his appointed term (i.e. how long he will live), his actions and whether he will be miserable or happy." (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

Every human being has two angels accompanying him at all times: One on his right, who records the good deeds, and one on his left, who records the bad deeds. Allah (swt) says:

إِذۡ يَتَلَقَّى ٱلۡمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ ٱلۡيَمِينِ وَعَنِ ٱلشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٌ۬ (١٧) مَّا يَلۡفِظُ مِن قَوۡلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيۡهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيد (١٨) سورة ق

" [Remember that] the two Receivers [recording angels] receive [each human being after he or she has attained the age of puberty], one sitting on the right and one sitting on the left [to note his or her actions]. Not a word does he [or she] but there is a watcher by him ready [to record it]." (Qur’aan 50:17:18)

Abu Hurairah reports that the Messenger of Allah (saas) said:

" Angels ascend to and descend from the heaven continuously, in turn, some by night and some by day; and all of them assemble together at the time of Fajr and Asr prayers. Then those who have stayed with you overnight ascend unto Allah (swt), Who asks them (and He knows the answer better than they): How have you left My slaves? They reply: We left them while they were praying and we came to them while they were praying. The narrator added: If any of you says: Aameen (during the prayer, at the end of the recitation of Surah Al-Faatihah), and the angels in heaven say the same, and the two sayings coincide, all his past sins will be forgiven." (Narrated by Bukhari)

In addition, there are those of the angels who protect mankind from harm; Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has appointed them to preserve us from danger in this life, which He has written for us. In this world are many dangerous things: Predators (both human and animal) snakes, scorpions, tyrannical rulers, unjust people etc. But Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), in His infinite Mercy, has appointed for us protectors from amongst the angels. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), the Almighty, the All-powerful:

لَهُ ۥ مُعَقِّبَـٰتٌ۬ مِّنۢ بَيۡنِ يَدَيۡهِ وَمِنۡ خَلۡفِهِۦ يَحۡفَظُونَهُ ۥ مِنۡ أَمۡرِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۗ (الرعد:١١)

" For each [person] there are angels in succession, before and behind him, they guard him by the Command of Allah." (Qur’aan 13:11)

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) does not improve the situation of any people until they improve themselves. So long as Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has written it, none can harm us, for these angels protect us from all evils. And if Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) decrees destruction for a community, then none can save them and the angels withdraw from each person, one from in front and one from behind.

There are angels whose responsibilities are the seas of the earth, while others are responsible for the rivers, and others the wind. There are still other angels whose functions and duties none knows but Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). All events in creation take place by the Order of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), and the angels undertake the tasks allotted to them by Him.

As stated earlier, it is an article of faith for the Muslim to believe in the angels; Allah (swt) has informed us of the names of some of them, such as: Jibreel, Meekaal, Israafeel and Maalik (the Guardian of the Hell-fire), while the identity of others is unknown to us. But we believe in all the works which they undertake by the Order of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى).

In the heavens are angels who worship Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), bowing and prostrating to Him. There is not the space of a finger joint in the heavens, which is not filled by an angel, bowing and prostrating to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). We love the angels, for they are the best advisors to mankind, recommending us to do good and abstain from evil, and they ask Allah’s forgiveness for us. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

ٱلَّذِينَ يَحۡمِلُونَ ٱلۡعَرۡشَ وَمَنۡ حَوۡلَهُ ۥ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّہِمۡ وَيُؤۡمِنُونَ بِهِۦ وَيَسۡتَغۡفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا (سورة مؤمنِ:7)

"Those [angels] who bear the Throne [of Allah] and those around it glorify the praises of their Lord, and believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who believe [in the Oneness of Allah]." (Qur’aan 40:7)

 

Footnotes

1. Eemaan: Faith and Belief.

2. Sidrah Al-Muntahaa: A lote-tree on the utmost boundary of the seventh heaven

 

Belief in the Angels

Belief in Angels is one of the pillars of Islam. If one denies the existence of angels he has no place in Islam, because Qur’aan and the teachings of The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم has disclosed some information about them. And all the believers believe that the message of Allah, The Almighty, was given to the messengers of Him through the Angels. And if one denies the angels they are really denying the very foundation the teachings of Islam.

Allah (swt ), says:

ليسَ ٱلۡبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمۡ قِبَلَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقِ وَٱلۡمَغۡرِبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلۡبِرَّ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةِ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ

" It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the east or the west, but it is righteousness to believe in the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets(Qur’aan 2:177)

When the angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) came to The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم he asked him: Tell me about Eemaan¹." The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم replied: Eemaan is: to believe in Allah سبحانه وتعالى (to affirm His Oneness in worship, in His Names and Attributes and in His Lordship), His angels, His Books, His Messengers, and to believe in the Last Day and Qadr, both good and bad (Divine Predestination).(Narrated by Muslim)

Here, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) has defined faith as consisting of six pillars: Belief in Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day and Qadr, both good and bad; and so faith cannot be built except upon these six pillars, just as a building cannot be constructed except upon these firm foundations. The meaning of faith in Allah’s angels is to believe in their existence and the works they do in Allah’s Name. The angels were created by Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) from light in order that they worship Him, obey Him and carry out His Commands. They are part of the unseen from amongst His creation-we do not see them, but we are obliged to believe in them with full conviction and without any doubt, because Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), Most High has informed us about them in a clear way which leaves no room for doubt or conjecture, as has His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم). None knows their number, nor their precise nature, nor the exact manner of their creation but Allah (سبحانه وتعالى).

Angels are the obedient servants of Allah. They are created by light. They are not the sons or daughters of Allah, as some deviant sect ascribes. They are totally with a different nature. They don’t eat, don’t drink, don’t urinate, and don’t indulge in intercourse. They are not males or females. They can take many different forms as Allah pleases. The can do many great things with ease. They cannot disobey the commandments of their Master, The Almighty Allah. Only Allah knows their number. There are different types of Angels. Some are with two wings, while some have three or four or any number Allah desires.

Considering their duties Angels are different categories. Some are engaged in continuous prayer and praise to Allah. Some others, without any hesitation, are revolving around the Arsh (The Throne, a gigantic creature of Allah), while a particular sect of the Angels are carrying the same. There is another kind who is dealing the record works of the activities (right/wrong) done by the human beings. A group of them engaged in regulating the lightning, thunder, rain, and such natural phenomena. The duty of questioning of the dead after being put in the grave is assigned to another section. Likewise, there are Angels related to the control of the matters of Paradise and Hell.

There are some Angels who are ready to welcome those who enter Paradise. They will say to the believers while they enter to the abode of Peace:

سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيۡكُم بِمَا صَبَرۡتُمۡ‌ۚ فَنِعۡمَ عُقۡبَى ٱلدَّار(الرعد 24)ِ

"Peace be upon you, because you steadfastly persevered. What a joyous destiny."(Ra ‘ad 23-24)

Those who enter the Hell will be subjected to many kinds of the torments by a particular sect of Angels. May Allah save us from such a fate! Aameen.

Amongst their attributes are:

That they are the armies of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), the Almighty, the All-powerful says:

وَلِلَّهِ جُنُودُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمً۬ا

" To Allah belong the armies of the heavens and the earth."(Qur’aan 48:4)

And concerning the Guardians of Hell, He, (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

عَلَيۡہَا تِسۡعَةَ عَشَرَ

" Over it are nineteen [Guardians]."(Qur’aan 74:30)

Then Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

وَمَا جَعَلۡنَآ أَصۡحَـٰبَ ٱلنَّارِ إِلَّا مَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬‌ۙ وَمَا جَعَلۡنَا عِدَّتَہُمۡ إِلَّا فِتۡنَةً۬ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ "

And We have set none but angels as Guardians of the Fire; and We have fixed their number only as a trial for those who disbelieved." (Quran 74:31)

The disbelievers speculate and argue vainly concerning the number of Guardians, saying: How can it be that this Fire which contains countless numbers of mankind has only nineteen guardians over it? Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

وَمَا جَعَلۡنَا عِدَّتَہُمۡ إِلَّا فِتۡنَةً۬ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ

" And We have fixed their number 19 only as a trial for those who disbelieved." (Qur’aan 74:31)

Also amongst the angels’ attributes is that they are the winged Messengers of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) to mankind; Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ فَاطِرِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ جَاعِلِ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ رُسُلاً أُوْلِىٓ أَجۡنِحَةٍ۬ مَّثۡنَىٰ وَثُلَـٰثَ وَرُبَـٰعَۚ يَزِيدُ فِى ٱلۡخَلۡقِ مَا يَشَآءُۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ قَدِيرٌ۬

" All praise be to Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, Who made the angels Messengers with wings, two, three or four." (Qur’aan 35:1)

That is, some of them have two wings, while others have three and others four, while others still have more; it is related by Bukhari that the Messenger of Allah (saas) saw Jibreel (as) and he had six hundred wings, each of them filling the horizon.

The angels possess great strength by Allah’s Will, and the proof of this is that when Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) sends forth an angel, he gives just one shout and a part of creation is destroyed, as it happened to the people of Thamood:

إِنَّآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمۡ صَيۡحَةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ فَكَانُواْ كَهَشِيمِ ٱلۡمُحۡتَظِرِ

" Verily, We sent but one shout and they became like dry twigs of the builder of the cattle fold." (Qur’aan 54:31)

Thus, the people of Thamood, who rejoiced in their great strength and arrogance became like dry sticks after the shout from the angel took them. Likewise the people of Loot (as) who lived in three or four townships, but the angel Jibreel (as) raised them up, people, buildings and all, until the other angels could hear the dogs barking and the cocks crowing, then he inverted their towns upon them and Allah (swt) caused the earth to collapse upon them and then stones of baked clay were rained upon them, according to At-Tabari, who narrated the story in his commentary on verse 82 of Soorah Hood.

It is Israafeel (angel) (Alaihissalam) who will blow the trumpet on the Last Day; the first trump will cause the death of every living creature in the heavens and the earth and the destruction of all created things:

فَإِذَا نُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ نَفۡخَةٌ۬ وَٲحِدَةٌ۬ (١٣) وَحُمِلَتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ وَٱلۡجِبَالُ فَدُكَّتَا دَكَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ (١٤) فَيَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ وَقَعَتِ ٱلۡوَاقِعَةُ (١٥) وَٱنشَقَّتِ ٱلسَّمَآءُ فَهِىَ يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ وَاهِيَةٌ۬ (١٦) وَٱلۡمَلَكُ عَلَىٰٓ أَرۡجَآٮِٕهَا‌ۚ وَيَحۡمِلُ عَرۡشَ رَبِّكَ فَوۡقَهُمۡ يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ ثَمَـٰنِيَةٌ (١٧)

" Then when the trumpet will be blown with one blowing [the first], and the earth and the mountains shall be removed from their places, and crushed with a single crushing, then on that Day shall the Great Event befall, and the heaven will split asunder, for that Day it [the heaven] will be frail [weak] and torn up, and the angels will be on its sides, and eight angels will, on that Day, bear the Throne of your Lord above them." (Qur’aan 69:13-17)

Then comes the second trump, which is the Calling Forth:

فَإِذَا هُمۡ قِيَامٌ۬ يَنظُرُونَ

" Then behold! They will be standing, looking on [waiting]." (Qur’aan39:68)

This is just one of the duties of Israafeel (as) which Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has ordered him to perform. The angels are sent by Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) at times to help the Muslims, when they are in need of assistance against the unbelievers:

إِذۡ تَقُولُ لِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ أَلَن يَكۡفِيَكُمۡ أَن يُمِدَّكُمۡ رَبُّكُم بِثَلَـٰثَةِ ءَالَـٰفٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ مُنزَلِينَ

" [Remember] when you [oh, Muhammad] said to the believers: Is it not enough for you that your Lord should help you with three thousand angels, sent down?" (Qur’aan 3:124)

And on the Day of Resurrection, the angels will be sent down to the earth in hosts:

وَيَوۡمَ تَشَقَّقُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِٱلۡغَمَـٰمِ وَنُزِّلَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ تَنزِيلاً

" And [remember] the Day when the heaven shall be rent asunder with clouds, and the angels will be sent down, with a grand descending." (Qur’aan 25:25)

They ask forgiveness for those on earth:

تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتُ يَتَفَطَّرۡنَ مِن فَوۡقِهِنَّ‌ۚ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّہِمۡ وَيَسۡتَغۡفِرُونَ لِمَن فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

" Nearly the heavens might rent asunder from above [by His Majesty], and the angels glorify the praises of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth, verily, Allah is the Oft-forgiving." (Qur’aan 42:5)

And they take out the souls from the dead:

وَٱلنَّـٰزِعَـٰتِ غَرۡقً۬ا (١) وَٱلنَّـٰشِطَـٰتِ نَشۡطً۬ا (٢)

" By those [angels] who pull out [the souls of the disbelievers and the wicked] with great violence; by those (angels) who gently take out [the souls of the Believers]." (Qur’aan 79:1-2)

Then there are those who watch over us:

وَإِنَّ عَلَيۡكُمۡ لَحَـٰفِظِينَ (١٠) كِرَامً۬ا كَـٰتِبِينَ (١١) يَعۡلَمُونَ مَا تَفۡعَلُونَ (١٢)

" But verily, over you [are appointed angels in charge of mankind] to watch you, honourable [in Allah’s sight] writing down [your deeds] they know all that you do." (Qur’aan 82:10-12)

Some of the angels have been appointed as bearers of the Divine Revelation; Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

يُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ بِٱلرُّوحِ مِنۡ أَمۡرِهِۦ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦۤ أَنۡ أَنذِرُوٓاْ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱتَّقُونِ (٢)

" He sends down the angels with inspiration of His Command to whom of His slaves He pleases, [saying]:Warn mankind that none has the right to be worshipped but I, so fear Me.(Qur’aan 16:2)

Of these Messengers, Jibreel (Alaihissalam) is the greatest, the best and the most noble, for it is he who delivered the Qur’aan to Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

نَزَلَ بِهِ ٱلرُّوحُ ٱلۡأَمِينُ (١٩٣) عَلَىٰ قَلۡبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُنذِرِينَ

" The Trustworthy Spirit [Jibreel] has brought it [the Quran] down upon your heart [oh, Muhammad] that you may be [one] of the warners, in the plain Arabic language." (Qur’aan 26:193-195)

Allah (swt)has described Jibreel (as) as possessing many fine attributes, such as:

إِنَّهُ ۥ لَقَوۡلُ رَسُولٍ۬ كَرِيمٍ۬ (١٩) ذِى قُوَّةٍ عِندَ ذِى ٱلۡعَرۡشِ مَكِينٍ۬ (٢٠) مُّطَاعٍ۬ ثَمَّ أَمِينٍ۬ (٢١)

سورة التكوير

" Verily, it [the Quran] is the Word [brought by] a most honourable Messenger [Jibreel] owner of power and high rank with [Allah], the Lord of the Throne, obeyed [by the angels], trustworthy there [in the heavens]." (Qur’aan 81:19-21)

So Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has described Jibreel (ع) as powerful and possessing high rank, and enjoying the unquestioning obedience of the other angels when he orders them to carry out Allah’s Commands; and also described him as trustworthy, that is, in delivering the Divine Revelation-he adds nothing to it, nor does he omit from it even one letter, but delivers it exactly as it is given to him by Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). The Prophet (saas) saw Jibreel (as) on two occasions in his original form: The first time was in Makkah, when he raised his head and saw him in the highest part of the sky, he had six hundred wings, each of them filling the horizon. The second occasion is described by Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), in His (سبحانه وتعالى) Words:

وَلَقَدۡ رَءَاهُ نَزۡلَةً أُخۡرَىٰ (١٣) عِندَ سِدۡرَةِ ٱلۡمُنتَهَىٰ

" And indeed he [Muhammad Sallallahu alaihi wasallam] saw him [Jibreel] at a second descent [i.e. at another time] at Sidrut Al-Muntahaa 2." (Qur’aan53:13,14)

" It is reported on the authority of Maalik, that the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam said on the night of his ascension to the heavens (Al-Miïraaj) that, he travelled to the heavens in the company of Jibreel (Alaihissalam)." (Narrated by Bukhari)

Then there is Meekaail (as) who brings down the rain from the heavens above, as and when he is commanded to do so by Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), Most High. These are the most important of the angels, who carry out the most important of tasks.

Other tasks entrusted to the angels include those whose responsibility is the unborn child in the womb. It is reported on the authority of Ibn Masud that the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam said:

" Verily, each of you is created in the form of a drop of sperm in his mother’s womb for forty days, then he is a clot for a similar period, then he is a lump of flesh (the size of a morsel) for a similar (period), then the angel is sent to breathe (human) spirit into him, then (the angel) is ordered to write down his share of livelihood, his appointed term (i.e. how long he will live), his actions and whether he will be miserable or happy." (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

Every human being has two angels accompanying him at all times: One on his right, who records the good deeds, and one on his left, who records the bad deeds. Allah (swt) says:

إِذۡ يَتَلَقَّى ٱلۡمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ ٱلۡيَمِينِ وَعَنِ ٱلشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٌ۬ (١٧) مَّا يَلۡفِظُ مِن قَوۡلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيۡهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيد (١٨) سورة ق

" [Remember that] the two Receivers [recording angels] receive [each human being after he or she has attained the age of puberty], one sitting on the right and one sitting on the left [to note his or her actions]. Not a word does he [or she] but there is a watcher by him ready [to record it]." (Qur’aan 50:17:18)

Abu Hurairah reports that the Messenger of Allah (saas) said:

" Angels ascend to and descend from the heaven continuously, in turn, some by night and some by day; and all of them assemble together at the time of Fajr and Asr prayers. Then those who have stayed with you overnight ascend unto Allah (swt), Who asks them (and He knows the answer better than they): How have you left My slaves? They reply: We left them while they were praying and we came to them while they were praying. The narrator added: If any of you says: Aameen (during the prayer, at the end of the recitation of Surah Al-Faatihah), and the angels in heaven say the same, and the two sayings coincide, all his past sins will be forgiven." (Narrated by Bukhari)

In addition, there are those of the angels who protect mankind from harm; Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has appointed them to preserve us from danger in this life, which He has written for us. In this world are many dangerous things: Predators (both human and animal) snakes, scorpions, tyrannical rulers, unjust people etc. But Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), in His infinite Mercy, has appointed for us protectors from amongst the angels. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), the Almighty, the All-powerful:

لَهُ ۥ مُعَقِّبَـٰتٌ۬ مِّنۢ بَيۡنِ يَدَيۡهِ وَمِنۡ خَلۡفِهِۦ يَحۡفَظُونَهُ ۥ مِنۡ أَمۡرِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۗ (الرعد:١١)

" For each [person] there are angels in succession, before and behind him, they guard him by the Command of Allah." (Qur’aan 13:11)

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) does not improve the situation of any people until they improve themselves. So long as Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has written it, none can harm us, for these angels protect us from all evils. And if Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) decrees destruction for a community, then none can save them and the angels withdraw from each person, one from in front and one from behind.

There are angels whose responsibilities are the seas of the earth, while others are responsible for the rivers, and others the wind. There are still other angels whose functions and duties none knows but Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). All events in creation take place by the Order of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), and the angels undertake the tasks allotted to them by Him.

As stated earlier, it is an article of faith for the Muslim to believe in the angels; Allah (swt) has informed us of the names of some of them, such as: Jibreel, Meekaal, Israafeel and Maalik (the Guardian of the Hell-fire), while the identity of others is unknown to us. But we believe in all the works which they undertake by the Order of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى).

In the heavens are angels who worship Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), bowing and prostrating to Him. There is not the space of a finger joint in the heavens, which is not filled by an angel, bowing and prostrating to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). We love the angels, for they are the best advisors to mankind, recommending us to do good and abstain from evil, and they ask Allah’s forgiveness for us. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

ٱلَّذِينَ يَحۡمِلُونَ ٱلۡعَرۡشَ وَمَنۡ حَوۡلَهُ ۥ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّہِمۡ وَيُؤۡمِنُونَ بِهِۦ وَيَسۡتَغۡفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا (سورة مؤمنِ:7)

"Those [angels] who bear the Throne [of Allah] and those around it glorify the praises of their Lord, and believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who believe [in the Oneness of Allah]." (Qur’aan 40:7)

 

Footnotes

1. Eemaan: Faith and Belief.

2. Sidrah Al-Muntahaa: A lote-tree on the utmost boundary of the seventh heaven