Chapter Two: Belief in the Angels

 Chapter Two: Belief in the Angels

Section One: The Meaning of Believing in the Angels and Various Related Matters

Section Two: The Angels Have Physical Forms

Section Three: The Relationship Between Angels and Mankind

Section One: The Meaning of Believing in the Angels and Various Related Matters

Firstly: Defining the term ‘Angels’

(i) Linguistically:

In morphology, the origin of this word is from the basic root ‘alaka’ meaning he sent. From its derivatives is ‘ulook’ meaning sending; i.e. (on a) mission.

Thus, the word ‘malak’ (angel) means in the language: missioner.[229]

(ii) Technically:

The angels are obedient servants of Allah created from light, belonging to the world of the unseen; they do not deserve to be singled out with any of the entitlements of lordship or worship. This means they do not possess the attributes of creation or provision, nor is it permissible that they are worshipped along with Allah, or besides Him.

Allah the Exalted and Most High endowed them with perfect conformance to His commands and granted them strength to carry out His orders.

They are great in number, no one can enumerate them except Allah.[230]

Secondly: That which Believing in the Angels Comprises

Believing in the angels comprises the following matters:

1. Believing in their existence.

2. To believe in the names of those we have been informed regarding; such as the angel Gabriel. As for those we do not know the names of, then we believe in them generally. i.e. we believe that Allah has many angels, and it is not necessary for us to know all of their names.

3. To believe in that which we have been informed of regarding their attributes; such as the attributes of Gabriel – as the Prophet (Peace be upon him) informed us that he saw Gabriel in the form Allah created him upon, and that he has six-hundred wings which covered the horizon.

It is possible that an angel may take the form of a man by the command of Allah, just as occurred with Gabriel when Allah sent him to Mary the mother of the Messiah –may peace be upon them both–:

]فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًا سَوِيّا]

Sura Maryam; (19):17

]Meaning: He appeared before her in the form of a well-proportioned man.]

Likewise, he came to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) whilst he was sitting with his Companions in the form of a man, dressed in extremely white clothes and with extraordinarily black hair. No traces of journeying were visible upon him, and none of the Companions of Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) recognized him. He sat down facing the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), leaning his knees against the Prophet’s knees and placing his hands upon the Prophet’s thighs. Thereupon he questioned the Prophet  regarding Islam, true faith, perfection of worship, the Last Hour, and its signs; to which the Prophet  answered. After his departure the Prophet  said: “That was Gabriel; he came to teach you your religion.”[231]

Similarly, the angels Allah sent to Abraham and Lot –peace be upon them both– were in the form of men.

4. To believe in that which we have been informed of regarding the actions they carry out; such as their glorification of Allah, and their worship of Him throughout the day and night –without slacking or becoming bored–.

Some of them have particular roles, such as Gabriel –the one trusted with Allah’s revelation, whom Allah sends to the Prophets and Messengers–; and such as Michael –the one commissioned with the rain and the plants–; and such as Malik –the one commissioned with the Hellfire–; and such as the angels entrusted with protecting human beings; and many other than them.[232]

Thirdly: The Benefits of Believing in the Angels

Believing in the angels has many great benefits; from them:

1. It causes a person to realize Allah’s Greatness, Strength, and Sovereignty; and that is due to the fact that the greatness of these creatures comes from the Greatness of their Creator.

2. It leads a person to thank Allah for His care for the sons of Adam; as He entrusted from these angels those that protect them, record their deeds, and other than that from matters beneficial to them.

3. A person draws closer to Allah by having love for the angels – due to their performance of acts that are pleasing to Allah.[233]

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(229) See: ‘Lisanul `Arab’ (10/392–395).

(230) See: ‘Rasaa•il fil `Aqidah’ of Shaikh Muhammad bin `Uthaymin, pp. 19.

(231) Reported by Muslim (no. 8).

(232) See: ‘Rasaa•il fil `Aqidah’ (pp. 19–20).

(233) See: ‘Rasaa•il fil `Aqidah’ (pp. 20).

Section Two: The Angels Have Physical Forms
There are many textual proofs that explicitly mention the angels possessing physical forms; contrary to those who went astray in this regard and denied that the angels have bodies. Instead they claim that the angels are a permanent force of good amongst creation.

This saying necessitates disbelief in the Book of Allah the Almighty, the Prophetic Sunna, and the consensus of the Muslims.

Allah the Almighty says:
]الحَمدُ لِلَّهِ فَاطِرِ السَّمَاوَٰتِ وَالأَرۡضِ جَاعِلِ المَلَائِكَةِ رُسُلًا أُوْلِيٓ أَجنِحَةٖ مَّثنَىٰ وَثُلَاثَ وَرُبَاعَ]
Sura Fatir; (35):1
]Meaning: All praise is due to Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Who made the angels messengers having wings, two or three or four.]

And He said regarding the inhabitants of Paradise:
]وَالمَلَائِكَةُ يَدۡخُلُونَ عَلَيهِم مِّن كُلِّ بَابٖ ٢٣ سَلَامٌ عَلَيكُم بِمَا صَبَرتُمۡ فَنِعمَ عُقبَى الدَّارِ ٢٤]
Sura Ra`d; (13):23-24
]Meaning: And the angels will enter upon them from every gate, saying: “Peace be upon you, for that you endured patiently.” Excellent indeed is the final home.]

Likewise, in the two authentic collections of Prophetic customs there occurs the narration of Abu Hurayrah –may Allah be pleased with him– that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “If Allah loves a servant, He calls Gabriel, saying: “Allah loves so and so, O Gabriel love him.” So Gabriel loves him and then announces in the Heavens, saying: “Allah has loved so and so; therefore you should also love him.” So all the dwellers of the Heavens love him, and then acceptance upon the Earth is granted to him.[234]

Similarly there occurs in Sahih al-Bukhari a narration upon the authority of Abu Hurairah –may Allah be pleased with him– that he said: the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Every Friday the angels stand at every gate of the mosque to write the names of the people in order of their arrival; until the imam sits on the pulpit, upon which they fold up their scrolls and get ready to listen to the sermon.”[235]

These textual evidences explicitly mention that the angels have bodies and are not just spiritual forces – as the deviants claim. It is upon that which these proofs indicate that the Muslims have unanimously agreed.[236]

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(234) Bukhari (no. 7485) & Muslim (no. 2637).

(235) al–Bukhari (no. 3039).

(236) See: ‘Rasaa•il fil `Aqidah’, (pp. 20–21).

Section Three: The Relationship Between the Angels and Mankind
Firstly: The Connection between Angels and Humans
There is a strong connection between the angels and mankind which is manifested in the following points:
1. They are present at the time a human being is created:
as occurs in the narration of Ibn Mas`ud –may Allah be pleased with him– that he said: Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) –who is the most truthful of humankind and his truthfulness is a fact– said: “Verily the creation of each one of you is brought together in his mother’s womb for forty days, and then he becomes a clot of blood for a similar period, and then a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allah sends an angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write down his deeds, his livelihood, the time of his death, and whether he will be happy or unhappy. Then the soul is breathed into him.”[237]

2. Their protection of human beings: Allah –the Almighty– says:
]سَوَآءٞ مِّنكُم مَّنۡ أَسَرَّ القَوۡلَ وَمَن جَهَرَ بِهِ وَمَنۡ هُوَ مُستَخفِۢ بِالَّليلِ وَسَارِبُ بِالنَّهَارِ ١٠ لَهُ مُعَقِّبَاتٞ مِّنۢ بَينِ يَدَيهِ وَمِنۡ خَلفِهِ يَحفَظُونَهُ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ]
Sura Ra`d; (13):10-11
]Meaning: It is the same to Him concerning you whether one conceals his speech or publicises it and whether one is hidden by night or conspicuous among others by day. For each one is successive angels before and behind him who protect him by the decree of Allah.]

3. They are the emissaries of Allah to His Prophets and Messengers:
Allah informed us of the angel Gabriel being specified with this duty:
]قُلۡ مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّـجِبرِيلَ فَإِنَّهُ نَزَّلَهُ عَلَىٰ قَلبِكَ بِإِذنِ اللَّهِ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَينَ يَدَيهِ]
Sura al-Baqarah; (2):97
]Meaning: Say, "Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel, then it is none but he who has brought the Quran down upon your heart – OMuhammad– by permission of Allah, confirming what came before it.]

And He said:
]نَزَلَ بِهِ الرُّوحُ الأَمِينُ ١٩٣ عَلَىٰ قَلبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ المُنذِرِينَ١٩٤]
Sura Shu`ara; (26):193-194
]Meaning: The Trustworthy Spirit has brought it down; Upon your heart –O Muhammad– that you may be of the warners.]

4. Good impulses are stimulated within the souls of the servants:

Allah has appointed to every human being a companion from the angels and a companion from the jinn; as occurs in a narration reported by Muslim on the authority of Ibn Mas`ud –may Allah be pleased with him– that he said: the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said: “There is none amongst you except that he has been appointed a companion from amongst the jinn.” They said: “Even you, O Messenger of Allah?” Thereupon he said: “Even me, but Allah aided me against him, such that he embraced Islam, and therefore he does not command me except with good.”[238]

It is possible the angel that is appointed to every human is other than the angels who are commanded to record a person’s deeds; and that Allah assigned him so that he may guide and direct a person.

A person’s companion from the angels and his companion from the jinn take turns to influence him; one of them commands him with evil and encourages him to perform it, and the other motivates him to perform good and encourages him with it. Proof of this is found in the narration of Ibn Mas`ud that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said: “Indeed the devil has an effect on the son of Adam, and the angel also has an effect. As for the effect of the devil; then it is his threatening evil consequences and (persuading a person) to reject the truth. And as for the effect of the angel, it is by his promising a good end and (prompting a person to) believe in the truth. Whoever finds that, let him know that it is from Allah, and let him praise Allah for it. Whoever finds the other then let him seek refuge with Allah from the outcast devil.

Thereupon he recited:
]الشَّيطَانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الفَقرَ وَيَأمُرُكُم بِالفَحشَآءِ وَاللَّهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغفِرَةٗ مِّنهُ وَفَضلاً وَاللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٞ]
Sura al-Baqarah; (2):268
]Meaning: Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is all-Encompassing, all-Knowing.]”[239][240]

5. They record the deeds of human beings:
there are angels assigned the task of recording the actions of every human from good or evil; and they are the ones meant by His saying:
]وَإِنَّ عَلَيكُمۡ لَحَافِظِينَ ١٠ كِرَامًا كَاتِبِينَ ١١ يَعلَمُونَ مَا تَفعَلُونَ]
Sura al-Infitar; (82):10-12
]Meaning: And indeed, appointed over you are preservers; noble and recording; they know what you do.]

Allah has appointed to every human two attentive angels that record his actions and sayings and who do not leave him:
]وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقنَا الإِنسَانَ وَنَعلَمُ مَا تُوَسوِسُ بِهِ نَفسُهُ وَنَحنُ أَقرَبُ إِلَيهِ مِنۡ حَبلِ الوَرِيدِ ١٦ إِذۡ يَتَلَقَّى المُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ اليَمِينِ وَعَنِ الشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٞ ١٧ مَّا يَلفِظُ مِن قَوۡلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيد]
Sura Qaf; (50):16-18
]Meaning: We verily created man and We know what his soul whispers to him, and We are nearer to him than his jugular vein. When the two receivers receive, seated on the right and on the left. Not a word does he utter, but there is a watcher at hand.]

Seated: i.e. overseeing.
A watcher at hand: i.e. a surveillant who has been prepared for such a task; one from whom not a word escapes.

6. Drawing out the souls of humans when their lifespans come to an end:
Allah designated to some of His angels the task of drawing out the souls of the servants when the lifespans He has ordained for them come to an end.

He the Almighty said:
]قُلۡ يَتَوَفَّاكُم مَّلَكُ المَوتِ الَّذِي وُكِّلَ بِكُمۡ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمۡ تُرۡجَعُونَ]
Sura as-Sajdah; (32):11
]Meaning: Say: “The angel of death will take you who has been entrusted with you. Then to your Lord you will be returned.”]

Those who pluck the souls are numerous in number; just as Allah the Almighty said:
]وَهُوَ القَاهِرُ فَوقَ عِبَادِهِ وَيُرسِلُ عَلَيكُمۡ حَفَظَةً حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَ أَحَدَكُمُ المَوتُ تَوَفَّتهُ رُسُلُنَا وَهُمۡ لَا يُفَرِّطُونَ ٦١ ثُمَّ رُدُّوٓاْ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَولَاهُمُ الحَقِّ أَلَا لَهُ الحُكمُ وَهُوَ أَسرَعُ الحَاسِبِينَ]
Sura al-An`am; (6):61-62
]Meaning: And He is the subjugator over His servants, and He sends over you guardian-angels until, when death comes to one of you, Our messengers take him, and they do not ever neglect their duties. Then they are returned to Allah, their true Master. Surely, His is the judgement, and He is the swiftest of reckoners.]

These angels pluck the souls of the disbelievers forcefully and violently, without gentleness or kindness.

Allah the Mighty and Majestic said:
]وَلَوۡ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ الظَّالِمُونَ فِي غَمَرَاتِ المَوتِ وَالمَلَائِكَةُ بَاسِطُوٓاْ أَيدِيهِمۡ أَخرِجُوٓاْ أَنفُسَكُمُ اليَوۡمَ تُجزَونَ عَذَابَ الهُونِ]
Sura al-An`am; (6):93
]Meaning: And if you could but see when the wrongdoers are in the overwhelming pangs of death while the angels extend their hands, saying: “Deliver your souls! Today you will be awarded the punishment of extreme humiliation.”]

Likewise, He says:
]وَلَوۡ تَرَىٰٓ إِذۡ يَتَوَفَّى الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ المَلَائِكَةُ يَضرِبُونَ وُجُوهَهُمۡ وَأَدبَارَهُمۡ وَذُوقُواْ عَذَابَ الحَرِيقِ]
Sura al-Anfal; (8):50
]Meaning: And if only you could see when the angels take away the souls of those who disbelieve at the time of death, they smite their faces and their backs, saying: “Taste the punishment of the blazing Fire.”]

In another verse, He says:
]فَكَيفَ إِذَا تَوَفَّتهُمُ المَلَائِكَةُ يَضرِبُونَ وُجُوهَهُمۡ وَأَدبَارَهُمۡ]
Sura Muhammad; (47):27
]Meaning: Then how will it be when the angels take them in death, striking their faces and their backs.]

As for the believers, then the angels pluck their souls mercifully.

7. Their approaching the believers:
and that is by way of their love for them; their directing them; their supplication for them –such as their supplicating for the teacher of good, those who await the congregational prayer, those who pray in the first row, those who fill the gaps between the rows, those who partake in the pre-dawn meal, those who send peace and blessings upon the Prophet (Peace be upon him), and those who visit the sick–.

They also approach the believers by saying amen to their supplications, seeking forgiveness for them, attending sittings of knowledge and circles of remembrance, recording those who attend Friday prayers, descending upon those who recite the Quran, fighting alongside the believers in battle, and other such actions.[241]

8. Their hatred for the disbelievers:
the angels do not have any love for the oppressive disbelievers; rather they are their enemies whom whey fight, cause their hearts to quake, and curse.

Secondly: Who is Better; the Angels or Pious Human Beings?
This is a matter that the scholars of old have differed upon and formed various opinions concerning; however a summary of the most correct saying in this matter is what Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah –may Allah have mercy upon him– mentions: that the pious humans are better in regards to the perfect nature of their final abode. That is: when they enter Paradise and are given the rank of honour, being housed in elevated stations, greeted by their Lord the Most Merciful, distinguished with being near to him, and when He appears to them, and they receive pleasure in looking at His Noble Face – the angels serve them by the permission of their Lord.

However the angels are more excellent in regards to their origin; and that is due to them being in the presence of the highest companions (i.e. in Paradise); free from that which affects the children of Adam (i.e. from impurities etc.); and occupied with the worship of their Lord.

There is no doubt that the current state of angels is better than that of mankind.

Ibn Al-Qayyim said:
‘With the aforementioned detail, the secret of superiority [between angels and mankind] becomes clear, enabling one to gather between the evidences of both sides, and reconcile between them according to that which each of them is correct regarding.’

And Allah knows best.[242]

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(237) Reported by al–Bukhari (no. 3208); & Muslim (no. 2643).

(238) Muslim (no. 2814).

(239) Reported by at–Tirmidhi (no. 2988); & an–Nasaa•i (no. 11051), and declared as authentic by al–Albaani in ‘Sahih Mawarid ath–Tham•an’ (no. 38).

(240) Ibn Kathir said – after mentioning this narration –: “at–Tirmidhi and an–Nasaa•i reported it in this form in their books of explanation of the Quran within their Sunans; from a narration of Hannad bin as–Sariyy.

Also reported by Ibn Hibban in his ‘Sahih’, with a chain of transmission from Abu Ya`la al–Musiliyy, from Hannad who mentioned it. at–Tirmidhi said regarding it: ‘good, strange; and it is a narration of Abu al–Ahwas – i.e. Sallaam bin Sulaym – and I do not know it traceable to the Prophet –peace be upon him–except via his narration.’ This is what he stated.” See: ‘Tafsir al–Quran al–Atheem’ of Ibn Kathir (1/480).

(241) See: ‘`Aalam al–Malaa•ikah al–Abrar’ of Dr. `Umar al–Ashqar (pp. 59–76).

(242) See: ‘Majmu` al–Fatawa’ (11/350); ‘Lawami` al–Aathar al–Bahiyyah’ of as–Safarini (2/368); ‘Sharh al–Aqidah at–Tahawiyyah’ (pp. 338); ‘al–Haba•ik fi Akhbar al–Mala•ik’ of as–Suyuti, wherein he mentions a long chapter in that regard (pp. 203–251). Also see: ‘`Aalam al–Mala•ikah al–Abrar’ (pp. 96).