Praise be to
Allaah.
Allaah created the angels from light. The
Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “The angels were created from light, the jinn
were created from smokeless fire, and Adam was created from that which
has been described to you.” (narrated by Muslim, 2996)
The angels are by nature obedient to Allaah:
“[they, i.e., angels] disobey not,
(from executing) the Commands they receive from Allaah, but do that
which they are commanded
[al-Tahreem 66:6 – interpretation of the meaning]
They are created in such a way that they do
not eat or drink. Their food is tasbeeh (glorification of Allaah)
and tahleel (saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah), as Allaah
tells us concerning them (interpretation of the meaning):
“They (i.e. the angels) glorify His Praises
night and day, (and) they never slacken (to do so) [al-Anbiyaa’
21:20]
The angels bear witness to the Oneness of
Allaah, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Allaah bears witness that Laa ilaaha
illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels,
and those having knowledge (also give this witness); (He always) maintains
His creation in justice. Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to
be worshipped but He), the All-Mighty, the All-Wise”
[Aal ‘Imraan 3:18]
Allaah has honoured some of the angels by
choosing them as Messengers, just as He has chosen some of mankind as
Messengers:
“Allaah chooses Messengers from
angels and from men”
[al-Hajj 22:75 – interpretation of the meaning]
When Allaah created Adam and He wanted to
honour him, He commanded the angels to prostrate to him:
“And (remember) when We said to
the angels: ‘Prostrate yourselves before Adam.’ And they prostrated
except Iblees (Satan), he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers
(disobedient to Allaah)’”
[al-Baqarah 2:34 – interpretation of the meaning]
The angels are a mighty creation, and they
perform many tasks, and they are divided into many groups, which no
one knows except Allaah. Some of them carry the Throne:
“Those (angels) who bear the Throne
(of Allaah) 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 Allaah)…”[Ghaafir 40:7 – interpretation of the meaning]
Among them is the one who brings down the
Revelation to the Messengers. He is Jibreel (peace be upon him), who
brought the Qur’aan down to Muhammad
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):
“Which the trustworthy Rooh [Jibreel
(Gabriel)] has brought down
Upon your heart (O Muhammad) that you may be (one)
of the warners”
[al-Shu’araa 26:193 – interpretation of the meaning]
Among them is Mikaa’eel, who is appointed
in charge of the rain and vegetation, and Israafeel who is appointed
to blow the Trumpet when the Hour begins. And among them are the recording
angels who are appointed to watch over the sons of Adam and their deeds:
“But verily, over you (are appointed
angels in charge of mankind) to watch you,
Kiraaman (Honourable) Kaatibeen —writing down (your
deeds),
They know all that you do
[al-Infitaar :10-12 – interpretation of the meaning]
Among them are those who are entrusted with
the task of writing down all deeds, whether good or evil:
“(Remember) that the two receivers
(recording angels) receive (each human being), one sitting on the right
and one on the left (to note his or her actions)
Not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher
by him ready (to record it)
[Qaaf 50:17-18 – interpretation of the meaning]
Among them are those who are entrusted with
the task of seizing the souls of the believers:
“Those whose lives the angels take
while they are in a pious state (i.e. pure from all evil, and worshipping
none but Allaah Alone) saying (to them): Salaamun ‘Alaykum (peace be
on you) enter you Paradise, because of that (the good) which you used
to do (in the world)”
[al-Nahl 16:32 – interpretation of the meaning]
And among them are those who are entrusted
with the task of seizing the souls of the disbelievers:
“And if you could see when the angels
take away the souls of those who disbelieve (at death); they smite their
faces and their backs, (saying): ‘Taste the punishment of the blazing
Fire’”
[al-Anfaal 8:50 – interpretation of the meaning]
Among them are the gatekeepers of Paradise
and the servants of the people of Paradise:
“And angels shall enter unto them
from every gate (saying):
Salaamun ‘Alaykum (peace be upon you) for you persevered
in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!”
[al-Ra’d 13:23-24 – interpretation of the meaning]
And among them are the gatekeepers of Hell:
“O you who believe! Ward off yourselves
and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones,
over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe”
[al-Tahreem 66:6 – interpretation of the meaning]
Among them are some who strive in jihaad with
the believers:
“(Remember) when your Lord revealed
to the angels, ‘Verily, I am with you, so keep firm those who have believed.
I will cast terror into the hearts of those who have disbelieved, so
strike them over the necks, and smite over all their fingers and toes’”
[al-Anfaal 8:12 – interpretation of the meaning]
On Laylat al-Qadr in the month of Ramadaan,
the angels come down to witness goodness with the Muslims, as Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
“The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree)
is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night
is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and
4 months).
Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)]
by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees”
[al-Qadr 97:3-4]
The angels do not enter a house in which
there is a statue, picture (image) or a dog. The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The angels do not
enter a house in which there is a dog or an image.” (Narrated by Muslim,
2106).
Belief in the angels is one of the pillars
of faith, and whoever denies it is a kaafir:
“and whosoever disbelieves in Allaah,
His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, then indeed
he has strayed far away[al-Nisaa’ 4:136 – interpretation of the meaning]
