Belief in the Angels
The angels were created long before the humans were. Angels are real beings, not illusions, neither a metaphysical force nor are angels of figments of human imagination. They are created from light.
In Arabic, angels are called mala'ika ملائكة, which comes from a root meaning "to assist and help."
The Quran describes that angels have been created to worship Allah and carry out His commands. Angels are involved in carrying out duties in both the unseen and physical worlds.
The Quran describes that angels have been created to worship Allah and carry out His commands. Angels are involved in carrying out duties in both the unseen and physical worlds.
They are naturally obedient creatures, worshiping Allah and carrying out His commands, as these verses teach us. Furthermore, they are not arrogant--they are humble. It is not in their nature to disobey, they were made to obey. Angels are without gender and do not require sleep, food, or drink.
"[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. He increases in creation what He wills. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent." (surah Fathir (35), ayat 1)
This verse tells us that angels have wings.
As unseen creatures made from light, angels have no specific bodily shape but can rather take on a variety of forms. Some angels went to Prophets Ibrahim and Lut (as) in human form. Angel Jibrael has taken human form in approaching Maryam, mother of Prophet Isa (as) and RasulAllah (ﷺ). However, we as muslims need not spend time on speculating what the angels look like, nor should we try to make images of them. They are of the unseen to us. Some are granted specific duties that they carry out. Angels do so until their deaths. All angels praise and glorify Allah tirelessly. The angels say ameen to the duas of the believers and ask the same for the believers when they ask Allah for something in the absence of their Muslim brother or sister (saying, "Ameen, may it be for you too"). Angels also ask Allah to forgive the repentant believers.
This verse tells us that angels have wings.
As unseen creatures made from light, angels have no specific bodily shape but can rather take on a variety of forms. Some angels went to Prophets Ibrahim and Lut (as) in human form. Angel Jibrael has taken human form in approaching Maryam, mother of Prophet Isa (as) and RasulAllah (ﷺ). However, we as muslims need not spend time on speculating what the angels look like, nor should we try to make images of them. They are of the unseen to us. Some are granted specific duties that they carry out. Angels do so until their deaths. All angels praise and glorify Allah tirelessly. The angels say ameen to the duas of the believers and ask the same for the believers when they ask Allah for something in the absence of their Muslim brother or sister (saying, "Ameen, may it be for you too"). Angels also ask Allah to forgive the repentant believers.
In surah at-Tahrim (66), ayat 6, Allah says:
"O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded."
From this ayat alone, we are taught that the angels do not disobey Allah's commands to them and they do just as they are commanded. We can also learn from this verse that there are angels that are appointed to the Fire, meaning there are angels with specific duties.
A Muslim must believe specifically in all the angels named and/or described in the Qur'an and the Sunnah:
- Jibrael
- Mikael: in charge of bringing the rain.
- Israfil: the blower of the horn on Qiyama (Judgement Day).
- Malik-ul-Maut: the Angel of Death who takes people's souls at death.
- The Noble Recorders: those who record people's actions.
- The Protectors: who keep people from death until its decreed time.
- Ridhwan: in charge of Paradise.
- Malik: in charge of Hell.
- Munkar and Nakir: the questioners in the grave.
- Haroot and Maroot
- The Carriers of the Throne.
- Those who record the future of the fetus.
- Those who enter the Haram: 70,000 every day.
- Those who move about, descending upon gatherings at which Allah and His Book are mentioned and studied.
Belief in the angels is an integral part of imaan (faith).
Allah says in surah al-Baqarah, ayat 285:
"The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." And they say, "We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination.""
"The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." And they say, "We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination.""
Kufr (disbelief) with respect to the angels is kufr (a state of disbelief) because Allah has commanded of us to believe in the angels-those who do not believe in the angels have fallen off the path of islam.
It is mentioned in surah an-Nisa, ayat 136:
"O you who have believed, believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Book that He sent down upon His Messenger and the Scripture which He sent down before. And whoever disbelieves in Allah , His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day has certainly gone far astray."
"O you who have believed, believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Book that He sent down upon His Messenger and the Scripture which He sent down before. And whoever disbelieves in Allah , His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day has certainly gone far astray."
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Please contact me about any discrepancies found, errs in information, etc. May Allah guide us and forgive us our shortcomings!
Please contact me about any discrepancies found, errs in information, etc. May Allah guide us and forgive us our shortcomings!