Belief in the Angels

Belief in the Angels

Belief in the angels is another fundamental belief that forms the cornerstone of eemaan - faith. When Allah's Messenger (pbuh) was asked by Angel Jibreel (AS), "What is Faith?" He replied, "It is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in the Divine Decree (al-qadar), both the good and the bad of it." Belief in the Angels, therefore, is the second article of faith.

Belief in the Angels

The Arabic word for angel is malak, whose plural form is mala'ikah. The Qur'an speaks of the creation of man from clay and that of jinn from fire. 'Aa'ishah (RAA) narrated that Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said that the jinn were created from fire (naar), and the angels were created from light (noor). Thus, the angels are a type of Allah's creation that cannot be seen by man. They serve Almighty Allah in what He commands them and they do not enjoy any divine attributes whatsoever. They submit to Allah's commands completely. They never stray away from obeying His orders even for a moment. This shows that the angels and the jinn are two different classes of Allah's creation, and that it is a mistake to consider them as belonging to the same class. The Quran speaks of the angels as messengers (rusul) with wings.

The Word 'Malak'

1. We must believe that they exist.2. We must believe in those angels whose names we know through the Qur'an or the Sunnah. For example, Angel Jibreel (as) who brought revelation to the Messenger (pbuh). 3. We must believe in their attributes, as mentioned in the Qur'an or the Sunnah. For example, one of the Prophet's traditions state that Allah's Messenger (pbuh) saw Angel Jibreel (as) in the image in which he was created, with six hundred wings that blocked the horizon. 4. We must believe in the actions that they perform, as mentioned in the Quran or the authentic hadeeth. The Qur'an says that they worship Allah and glorify Him day and night. It also states that specific angels have specific tasks. Jibreel (as) is entrusted with Allah's revelations which he brings down from Allah to His prophets and messengers. Israafeel (as) is responsible for blowing the Trumpet that will resurrect the dead on the Day of Judgment. Mikaa'eel (as) is entrusted with the rain and vegetation.

Belief in the Angels consists of the Following:

Each one of us has two angels with him who constantly record all his words and deeds. The Qur'an says, "Behold, two recording angels] appointed to learn [his doings and note them], one sitting on the right and one on the left. Not a word does he utter but there is a vigilant recorder." (Surat Qaaf, 50:17-18)

The believers know that there are angels called "mu'aqqibaat" that protect man in all situations. The Qur'an says, "For each [person] there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the command of Allah." (Surat ar-Ra'd, 13:11) Another verse reads, "He is the Irresistible, Supreme over His slaves, and He sends guardians over you." (Surat al-An'aam, 6:61)These guardians guard as well as write all of one's good and bad deeds.Another angel we know of is the Angel of Death who is entrusted with the task of taking souls. The Qur'an says, "Say the angel of death who is set over you will take your souls, then you will be brought to your Lord." (Surat as-Sajdah, 32:11)

Some angels are entrusted with the task of keeping Paradise, while others (called az-Zabaaniyah) are in charge of keeping the Hellfire .

Some angels are entrusted with the fetus in the womb. When the fetus has spent four months in the womb, Almighty Allah sends an angel with the orders to write his provision, his lifespan, his deeds and whether he will be miserable or happy in the hereafter.

There are also two angels that question the dead in their graves as well as angels that pray for the believers and support them when they do righteous deeds to earn the Good Pleasure of Allah. For instance, among many ahadeeth of this nature, the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Allah, the angels and the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth, even the ant in its hole and the fish, pray for the one who teaches people good."

The angels' prayers for the person continue for a long time, even after the person has completed his good deed.Allah's Messenger (pbuh) once said, "No man goes to visit an ill person in the late afternoon except that seventy thousand angels go with him and continue to seek forgiveness for him until the morning and he shall have a garden in Paradise. And if one goes to him in the morning, seventy thousand angels go with him and seek his forgiveness until the evening and he shall have a garden in Paradise." In fact, a believer can reach a point where the angels begin to love him and spread love for him in the world. The Prophet (pbuh) said, "If Allah loves a person, He calls Jibreel (as) saying, 'Allah loves so and so, therefore, so love him. The dwellers of the heaven then love him and he is then granted acceptance among the people of the earth."

The Supplications of those Angels who are very Close to AllahThe Qur'an says, "Those [angels] who sustain the Throne of Allah and those around it exalt Allah with praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask forgiveness for those who believe, saying, Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge; so forgive those who repent and follow Your path and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire! Our Lord, admit them into the gardens of perpetual bliss which you have promised them, and to the righteous among their fathers, their spouses and their children. Truly, You are the Almighty, the All-Wise.' (Surat Ghaafir, 40:7-8)

The believer recognizes that the angels are a very good and magnificent creation. As we have learnt earlier, Allah's Messenger (pbuh) describes Angel Jibreel (as) as having six hundred wings. Another hadeethm describes Angel Jibreel (as) once as filling up the entire horizon. The goodness and magnificence of this creation of Allah certainly points to the greatness and magnificence of its Creator. It is this knowledge that deepens a person's love, awe and admiration for Allah.

The Electrifying Possibility ofObserving Angels

Usayd ibn Hudhayr (RAA) was reciting the Qur'an in his enclosure one night when his horse began to jump about frantically. Repeatedly Usayd would stop his recitation until the horse was calm. No sooner had he resumed reciting than the horse would again begin to jump wildly. Eventually he stopped altogether for fear of having his son trampled over by the horse.Usayd (RAA) observed, while standing near the horse, something like a canopy over his head with what seemed to be lamps in it rising up in the sky until it disappeared. The next day, he approached the Prophet (pbuh) and informed him of what he had seen the previous night. The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Those were the angels who listened to you; and if you had continued reciting, the people would have seen them in the morning and they would not have concealed themselves from them."

Loving Others for Allah's Sake

Abu Hurayrah (RAA) narrated that Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, "A man set out to visit a brother in faith of his in another town, and Allah appointed an angel for him on his way. When he came to him, the angel asked, 'Where do you intend to go? The man replied, "I intend to visit a brother of mine in this town.' The angel then said, 'Do you have any property with him that you want to check on?' He replied, 'No, it is only because I love him for the sake of Allah Most High.' The angel then said, 'I am a messenger to you from Allah to inform you that Allah loves you as you love him for His sake." This hadeeth indicates that the angels can assume human shape by Allah's leave.

The angels record the words and deeds of each and every one of us.They are always in our presence. This is the reason why the Prophet (pbuh) stated, "Whoever eats of this [offensive] plant (i.e. garlic) must not approach our mosque, for the angels are harmed by that which harms humans." Hence, even if no other humans are around, the believer knows that the angels are around; therefore, he should always remain careful and modest in their presence. He should avoid doing anything that may annoy and harm these beloved noble creatures. It is important to note that the angels are neither male nor female, and that they neither eat nor drink.

A very delightful hadeeth narrates some of the functions of the angels. Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said,"Allah has some angels who look for those who celebrate the praises of Allah on the roads and paths, and when they find some people celebrating the praises of Allah, they call each other saying, 'Come to the obiect of your pursuit.' The angels then encircle them with their wings up to the sky of the world. Then their Lord asks them, although He is Most Knowledgeable of them, 'What do my slaves say?' The angels reply, 'They say: Sub-haanallaah, Allaahu Akbar and al-Hamdulillaah.' Allah then says, 'Did they see Me?' The angels reply, 'No, by Allah, they did not see You.' Allah says, 'How would it have been if they saw Me?' The angels reply, 'If they saw You, they would worship You more devoutly and celebrate Your Glory more deeply, and more often declare Your freedom from any resemblance to anything..." Belief in the angels is one of the essential articles of faith. Therefore, if a person does not believe in them, he is without doubt a disbeliever.

State whether these statements are true (T) or false (F).

Angels can assume human forms.

Belief in the Qur'an cannot be confirmed unless one believes in all the angels.

The Jinn are also angels.

When a person visits an ill person, ______ angels go with him, and seek forgiveness for him.

Fill in the blanks

Almighty Allah created man from _____, jinn from____, and the angels from ____.

Angel Jibreel (as) is recorded as having _______ wings.

The Arabic word for angels is ________.

Answer the following questions.

Mention at least five angels and their responsibilities.

Think-up