Belief in the Angels
Question:
Is there any evidence to show that the name of the
Angel of Death is Azraa'eel?.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
It is widely assumed that the name of the Angel of
Death is Azraa'eel, but there is nothing in the Qur'aan or
saheeh Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) to indicate that this is his name. Rather this
is narrated in some reports which may be from among
the Israa'eeliyyaat (reports from Jewish sources).
Based on this, we cannot be certain whether this is
his name or not. So we cannot affirm that the name of
the Angel of Death is Azraa'eel, nor can we deny it.
Rather we should refer this matter to Allaah and call him as
Allaah calls him, the `Angel of Death". Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Say: The angel of death, who is set over you, will
take your souls. Then you shall be brought to your Lord"
[al-Sajdah 32:11]
But the name of the Angel of Death is not given in
the Qur'aan or in the saheeh ahaadeeth. His name
is mentioned in some reports as Azraa'eel, but Allaah
knows best.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Say: The angel of death, who is set over you, will
take your souls. Then you shall be brought to your Lord
[al-Sajdah 32:11]
Al-Sindi said: There is no marfoo' hadeeth [one that
can be traced back to the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him)] which mentions his name.
Al-Manaawi said in Fayd al-Qadeer (3/32), after
stating that the Angel of Death is known by the name
`Azraa'eel: I have never seen anyreport giving his name as such.
Shaykh al-Albaani said in his comment on the words
of al-Tahhaawi, "We believe in the Angel of Death who
is appointed to take the souls of all creatures":
This ("the Angel of Death") is what he is called in
the Qur'aan. With regard to the name `Azraa'eel which
is widely known among the people, there is no basis
for this, rather it comes from the Israa'eeliyyaat.
Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymeen said:
"The Angel of Death" is well known by the
name `Azraa'eel, but this is not correct, rather this was
narrated from Jewish sources. So we should not believe in
this name, and we should call the one who is appointed
over death "the Angel of Death," as Allaah called him in
the verse (interpretation of the meaning):
"Say: The angel of death, who is set over you, will
take your souls. Then you shall be brought to your
Lord"
[al-Sajdah 32:11] Fataawa Ibn
`Uthaymeen, 3/161
And Allaah knows best.
Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)
Question:
Do the angels and jinn die? Where are they buried? Is
the funeral prayer offered for them? How long do each
of them live?.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish.
And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and
Honour will remain forever"
[al-Rahmaan 55:26-27]
Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
Here Allaah tells us that all the inhabitants of the earth
will perish and die, as will all the inhabitants of heaven,
except for whomsoever Allaah wills, and nothing will be
left except His Noble Face, for the Lord does not die,
rather He is the Ever-Living who will never die.
(Tafseer al-Qur'aan il-`Azeem, 4/273)
Al-Bukhaari (7383) and Muslim (2717) narrated from
Ibn `Abbaas that the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) used to say, "Allaahumma inni a'oodhu
bi `izzatika laa ilaaha ill anta an tadillani, anta
al-hayyu alladhi laa yamoot wa'l-jinn wa'l-ins
yamootoon (O Allaah, I seek refuge in Your glory, there is no god
but You, against being led astray, for You are the
Ever-Living Who does not die, but the jinn and mankind will die)."
With regard to your questions about where they are
buried, whether the funeral prayer is offered for them and
how long they live, these are matters which are concealed
from us. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given
only a little"
[al-Isra' 17:85]
The Muslim should strive to learn more about that
which has an impact on his own behaviour, such as
knowledge of Allaah, His names and attributes, what he is obliged
to believe in and knowledge of the rulings of sharee'ah.
He should avoid delving deeply into matters which he is
not required to know and in which there is no benefit. I
ask Allaah to grant us beneficial knowledge and
righteous deeds.
And Allaah knows best.
Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)
Question:
My friend told me that iblis (shaitan) used to be an
angel. My wife says that this is not true. Could you please
give me some information.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah. Iblees was definitely not one of
the angels. This is indicated by three things: the clear texts
of the Qur'aan, the physical attributes of Iblees and
the attitude of Iblees.
1 _ With regard to the clear statements of the
Qur'aan, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And (remember) when We said to the angels:
`Prostrate yourselves unto Adam.' So they prostrated
themselves except Iblees (Satan). He was one of the jinn"
[al-Kahf 18:50]
Al-Hasan al-Basri said: Iblees was never one of the
angels, not even for an instant. He is the father of the jinn, just
as Adam (peace be upon him) is the father of mankind.
This was narrated by al-Tabari with a saheeh isnaad
as stated by Ibn Katheer in his Tafseer, 3/89.
2 _ With regard to his physical attributes, Allaah
stated that He created him from fire. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the
clay of pottery.
And the jinn He created from a smokeless flame of fire"
[al-Rahmaan 55:14, 15]
and it was narrated in Saheeh Muslim (2996) from
the hadeeth of `Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with
her) that 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."
So it is clear that there is a difference between the
physical nature of the angels and that of Iblees, and he is
definitely not one of them.
3 _ With regard to his attitude, Iblees disobeyed
Allaah by not prostrating to Adam, but we know from the
Qur'aan that it is impossible for the angels to disobey
Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"…angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not,
(from executing) the Commands they receive from Allaah,
but do that which they are commanded"
[al-Tahreem 66:6]
Some reports which are not saheeh have been
narrated from some of the salaf, suggesting that Iblees was
the best of the angels, that he was one of the keepers
of Paradise, etc. Imaam Ibn Katheer commented on that
by saying:
Many reports to that effect have been narrated from
the salaf, but most of them come from the
Isra'eeliyyaat (reports narrated from Jewish sources) which
were narrated to be examined. Allaah knows best about
the true status of many of them. There are some which
can be rejected out of hand because they go against the
truth that we have before us. In the Qur'aan there is
sufficient information that we have no need of earlier
reports, because hardly any of them are free from
alterations, additions and subtractions, and many things have
been fabricated in them. The earlier nations did not
have scholars to examine these reports and eliminate
those which are not sound, as this ummah has its imams
and scholars who have great knowledge and are pious
and righteous, who wrote down the hadeeth and examined
it and showed what is sound and what is not, and what
is fabricated, identifying the fabricators, liars and
those narrators who were unknown, and other Islam & Muslims
of narrators. All of that was to protect the status of
the Prophet, the Seal of the Prophets and the leader
of mankind (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him), lest any lie be attributed to him and lest anything
be attributed to him that he did not say or do. May Allaah
be pleased with them and make them please and make
the Paradise of al-Firdaws their abode.
Tafseer al-Qur'aan il-`Azeem, 3/90.
Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)
Question:
What does belief in the angels mean?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
The angels form an unseen world; they were created
by Allaah from light and they obey the commands of Allaah:
"who 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]
Belief in the angels implies four essential things:
1 _ Affirming that they exist and that they are part of
the creation of Allaah, subject to His Lordship and
subjugated to Him.
"…honoured slaves.
They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on
His Command"
[al-Anbiya' 21:26-27 _ interpretation of the meaning]
"who 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]
"And those who are near Him (i.e. the angels) are
not too proud to worship Him, nor are they weary (of
His worship).
They (i.e. the angels) glorify His Praises night and
day, (and) they never slacken (to do so)"
[al-Anbiya' 21:19-20 _ interpretation of the
meaning]
2 _ Belief in the names of those whose name we
know, such as Jibreel, Mikaa'eel, Israafeel, Maalik,
Radwaan and others _ peace be upon them.
3 _ Belief in the attributes of those whose attributes
we know, as we know the description of Jibreel from
the Sunnah, and that he has six hundred wings which
filled the horizon or the sky.
4 _ Belief in the actions which we know some of
them do, so Jibreel (peace be upon him) was entrusted
with that which revives the heart, namely the
Revelation. Israafeel is entrusted with sounding the Trumpet-blast
(to herald the onset of the Day of Resurrection);
Mikaa'eel is entrusted with the rain; Maalik is entrusted with
Hell, and so on.
One of the most important things that we must believe
in is that every person has two angels with him who
record his deeds. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"(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]
i.e., a watcher from among these angels who is
present. So beware lest these two angels record anything
from you that will be bad for you on the Day of
Resurrection, for everything that you say will be recorded against
you, and when the Day of Resurrection comes, each
person's book of deeds will be brought out,
"…and on the Day of Resurrection, We shall bring
out for him a book which he will find wide open.
(It will be said to him): `Read your book. You
yourself are sufficient as a reckoner against you this Day.'"
[al-Isra' 17:13-14 _ interpretation of the
meaning].
We ask Allaah to conceal our sins and forgive us, for
He is All-Seeing, Ever Responsive. And Allaah knows best.
See: A'laam al-Sunnah al-Manshoorah, 86;
Majmoo' Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymeen, 3/160.
For more information see question no. 843 and
14610.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)
Question:
Was Iblees one of the angels or one of the jinn? And
are the jinn from among the angels?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Shaykh Muhammad al-Ameen al-Shanqeeti (may
Allaah be pleased with him) said:
Allaah says in the following aayah (interpretation of
the meaning):
"He [Iblees] was one of the jinn; he disobeyed
the Command of his Lord"
[al-Kahf 18:50]
The apparent meaning is that the reason for his disobedience of his Lord was the fact that he was one
of the jinn. The conjunction fa' in the Arabic text
[kaana min al-jinn fa-fasaqa `an amri
Rabbihi] is indicative of the reason, as in the Arabic phrase
saraqa fa quti'at yaduhu which means, "he stole, so his hand was cut
off", i.e., that was because he stole; or the phrase
saha fa sajada which means, "he forgot so he prostrated", i.e., that
was because he forgot. The same pattern is seen in the
aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
"And (as for) the male thief and the female thief, cut
off [fa-qta'u] (from the wrist joint) their (right) hands"
[al-Maa'idah 5:38]
i.e., because of their stealing.
Similarly, the phrase kaana min al-jinn
fa-fasaqa (he was one of the jinn [so] he disobeyed…) means that this
was because he was in essence one of the jinn, because
this feature is what made him different from the angels,
for they obeyed the command but he disobeyed. Because
of the apparent meaning of this aayah, a number of
scholars were of the opinion that Iblees was not originally one
of the angels, rather he was one of the jinn, but he used
to worship Allaah with them, so he was called by their
name because he followed them, just as an ally of a tribe
may be given their name. The dispute as to whether
Iblees was originally an angel whom Allaah changed into a
devil, or whether he was not originally an angel but was
included in the word malaa'ikah (angels) because he had
joined them and worshipped Allaah with them, is a well
known dispute among the scholars. The evidence of those
who say that he was not originally one of the angels is
based on two things:
1 _ The fact that angels are protected against
committing kufr as was committed by Iblees, as Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands
they receive from Allaah, but do that which they
are commanded"
[al-Tahreem 66:6]
"They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on
His Command"[al-Anbiya' 21:27]
2 _ Allaah clearly states in this aayah [al-Kahf
18:50] that he was one of the jinn, and the jinn are not
angels. They said: this is a Qur'aanic text concerning which
there is some dispute.
…
Among those who stated that he was not originally
one of the angels based on the apparent meaning of this
aayah was-Hasan al-Basri, who was supported by al-Zamakhshaari in his
Tafseer.
Al-Qurtubi said in his tafseer of Soorat al-Baqarah:
"The idea that he was one of the angels is the view of
the majority, Ibn `Abbaas, Ibn Mas'ood, Ibn Jurayj, Ibn
al-Musayyib, Qutaadah and others. It is the view chosen
by al-Shaykh Abu'l-Hasan and regarded as more correct
by al-Tabari, and it is the apparent meaning of the
phrase "except Iblees" [al-Kahf 18:50]
What the mufassireen have quoted from a group of
the salaf, such as Ibn `Abbaas and others, that he was one
of the noblest of the angels, one of the keepers of
Paradise, and that he controlled the affairs of the first heaven,
and that his name was `Azaazeel (Azazel) is all taken
from the Israa'eeliyyaat (reports narrated from Jewish
sources) and is not reliable.
The most clear evidence concerning this matter,
the evidence cited by those who said that he was not an
angel because of the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
"He [Iblees] was one of the jinn; he disobeyed
the Command of his Lord"
[al-Kahf 18:50]
is the clearest text from the revelation that proves
this point. And Allaah knows best.
Adwaa' al-Bayaan, 4/130-132. (www.islam-qa.com)
Question:
Could you give us some information about the angels?
Answer:
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 AllMighty, 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 AlQadr (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]
From Usool al-Deen al-Islami by Shaykh Muhammad
ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri (www.islam-qa.com)
Question:
We often read about and hear the common people
and their writers and poets describing nurses as "angels
of mercy." Is that permissible?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not permissible to apply this description to
nurses, because the angels are male and are not female.
Allaah denounced the mushrikeen for describing the angels
as female. Moreover, the angels of mercy have their
own description which cannot be applied to nurses, for
there are good and bad nurses, so it is not permissible to
apply this description to them. And Allaah knows best.
From Majmoo' Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi'ah
li Samaahat al-Shaykh al-`Allaamah `Abd al-`Azeez
ibn `Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz, vol. 8, p. 423
(www.islam-qa.com)
Question:
I'm a student of a college in the USA. This question
is for my paper of Western Civil class. What proof do
you have that Gabriel spoke to Muhammad?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Jibreel (peace be upon him) spoke to Muhammad
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) directly, with
no barrier in between, and the Prophet Muhammad
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saw him in his
true form. This was reported in many aayaat (verses of
the Qur'aan) and ahaadeeth (reports of the things that
the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) said and did).
1. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"By the star when it goes down (or vanishes).
Your companion (Muhammad) has neither gone
astray nor has erred.
Nor does he speak of (his own) desire.
It is only a Revelation revealed.
He has been taught (this Qur'aan) by one mighty in
power [Jibreel (Gabriel)]."
[al-Najm 53:1-5]
The mufassireen (commentators on the Qur'aan)
have stated that what is meant by "one mighty in power"
is Jibreel (peace be upon him), who taught
Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
the Revelation. One of the ways in which
Revelation happened is when the angel spoke directly to the
Prophet. This indicates that Jibreel (peace be upon him) spoke
to Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him). This idea is also supported by the aayahs
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And truly, this (the Qur'aan) is a revelation from
the Lord of the `Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists),
Which the trustworthy Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)]
has brought down
Upon your heart (O Muhammad) that you may be
(one) of the warners,
In the plain Arabic language"
[al-Shu'araa' 26:192-195]
"Say (O Muhammad): "Whoever is an enemy to
Jibreel (Gabriel) (let him die in his fury), for indeed he
has brought it (this Qur'aan) down to your heart by
Allaah's Permission, confirming what came before it [i.e.
the Tauraat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] and guidance
and glad tidings for the believers"
[al-Baqarah 2:97]
2. The First Revelation, as is well known, happened
when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) was in seclusion in the cave of Hiraa'. Jibreel (peace
be upon him) came to him and commanded him to read.
It was narrated that `Aa'ishah the Mother of the
Believers (may Allaah be pleased with her) said:
"The first of the Wahy (Revelation) that came to
the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) was seeing true dreams; he never saw
any dream but it came true like the break of day. Then
the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. He used to
go into seclusion in the cave of Hiraa' where he
would worship Allaah continuously for many nights, until
he went back to see his family to collect more
provisions. He would go back to Khadeejah, and take provisions
with him for a similar number of nights. (This went on)
until the truth came to him when he was in the cave of
Hiraa'. The angels came to him and said, `Read!' He said, `I
am not a reader.' He [the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him)] said: he embraced me and
squeezed me so hard that I almost could bear it no longer, then
he released me and said, `Read!' I said, I am not a
reader.' Then he embraced me a second time and squeezed me
so hard that I almost could bear it no longer, then he
released me and said, `Read!' I said, I am not a reader.' Then
he embraced me a third time and squeezed me so hard that
I almost could bear it no longer, then he released me
and said, `Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has
created (all that exists). He has created man from a clot (a
piece of thick coagulated blood). Read! And your Lord is
the Most Generous.' [al-`Alaq 96:1-3 _ interpretation of
the meaning]. Then the Messenger of Allaah (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came back with
(the Revelation) and with his heart pounding wildly."
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 3; Muslim, no. 231).
3. It was narrated from `Aa'ishah (may Allaah be
pleased with her) that al-Haarith ibn Hishaam (may Allaah
be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him), "O Messenger of Allaah,
how does the Revelation come to you?" The Messenger
of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "Sometimes it comes to me like the ringing of a
bell, which is the hardest of all, then it passes once I
have grasped what is said. And sometimes the angel comes
to me in the form of a man and speaks to me, and I
grasp what he says…" (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no.
2).
4. The lengthy hadeeth about Jibreel, when he came
in the form of a man, a stranger, and sat down with
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
and asked him about Islam, Eemaan (faith) and
Ihsaan (goodness, perfection). The Messenger (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) answered his
questions, knowing that he was Jibreel. When he had finished
asking his questions and had gone away, the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told his
companions that this was Jibreel, who had come to teach them
their religion.
See Saheeh al-Bukhaari, no. 48; Muslim, no.
9.
5. The reports about the Israa' and Mi'raaj (Prophet's
night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem, and ascent
from Jerusalem into the seven heavens). The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) asked
Jibreel questions, and Jibreel answered him. See
Saheeh al-Bukhaari, no. 2968; Muslim, no.
238, and the ahaadeeth which tell the story of the Israa' and Mi'raaj.
6. There are also many ahaadeeth in which the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) says,
"Jibreel came to me and said…", such as the hadeeth in which
he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"Jibreel (peace be upon him) came to me and said,
`Whoever among your ummah (nation) dies not associating
anything with Allaah, will enter Paradise.' I said, `Even if he
does such and such?' He said, `Yes.'" (Narrated by
al-Bukhaari, no. 2213; Muslim, no. 137)
When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) came back from (the battle of)
al-Khandaq, he and his companions put down their
weapons and washed themselves. Jibreel came to him with his
head covered with dust and said, "You have put down
your weapons! By Allaah, I have not put down mine."
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) said, "Where to?" He said, "Over there" _
and pointed towards Bani Qurayzah. So the Messenger
of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
set out [to resume the campaign]. (Narrated by
al-Bukhaari, no. 2602; Muslim, no. 3315).
And there is more, similar, evidence. And Allaah
knows best.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)
Question:
How many angels are there with any muslim and
what are their functions concerning him/her?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
The honourable angels accompany the children of
Adam from the day they are formed in their mothers'
wombs until the day when their souls are brought forth from
their bodies at the time of death. They also accompany them
in their graves and in the Hereafter.
- Their accompanying them in this world is as follows:
1 _ They take care of him when he is created
It was reported from Anas that the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah
appoints an angel in the womb, who says, `O Lord, a
nutfah (mixed drop of male and female sexual discharges)? O Lord,
a `alaqah (a clot)? O Lord, a
mudghah (lump of chewed flesh)?' When Allaah decrees that it is to be created,
(the angel) says, `O Lord, male or female? Doomed or
blessed? What is his provision? What is his lifespan?' And that
is written in his mother's womb."
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6595; Muslim, 2646.
This version was narrated by al-Bukhaari).
2 _ They guard the son of Adam
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceals
his speech or declares it openly, whether he be hid by
night or goes forth freely by day.
For him (each person), there are angels in
succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the
Command of Allaah"
[al-Ra'd 13:10-11]
The commentator on the Qur'aan who had the best understanding of it, Ibn `Abbaas, explained that
the mu'aqqibaat [translated here as "angels in
succession"] refers to the angels whom Allaah has appointed to
guard man from in front and from behind. When the decree
of Allaah comes _ when He decrees that some accident
or calamity etc. should befall him _ the angels withdraw
from him.
Mujaahid said: There is no person who does not have
an angel appointed to protect him when he is asleep and
when he is awake, from the jinn, men and wild beasts. There
is nothing that comes to him but the angels tell it to
clear off, except for that which Allaah grants permission for
it to befall him.
A man said to `Ali ibn Abi Taalib: "A group from
(the tribe of) Muraad wanted to kill you." `Ali said,
"With every man there are two angels who protect him
from everything that is not decreed; when the decree
comes, they withdraw and do not stand between him and it.
A man's decreed lifespan is his protection."
The "angels in succession" mentioned in the aayah
from Soorat al-Ra'd are what is referred to in another
aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
"He is the Irresistible (Supreme), over His slaves,
and He sends guardians (angels guarding and writing all
of one's good and bad deeds) over you, until when
death approaches one of you, Our messengers (angel of
death and his assistants) take his soul, and they never
neglect their duty"
[al-An'aam 6:61]
The guardians whom Allaah sends protect a person
until the appointed time (of death) that has been decreed
for him comes.
3 _ The angels who write down hasanaat (good
deeds) and sayi'aat (bad deeds)
Every single person has two angels who write down
his deeds, both good and bad, minor and major. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"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 82:10-12]
"And indeed We have created man, and We know
what his ownself whispers to him. And We are nearer to
him than his jugular vein (by Our Knowledge).
(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 50:16-18]
The angel on the right records hasanaat (good deeds)
and the angel on the left records sayi'aat (bad deeds).
It was reported from Abu Umaamah that the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "The angel on the left does not write down
anything until six hours have passed after a Muslim does a
bad deed. If he regrets it and asks Allaah for forgiveness,
he casts it aside [does not write it down], otherwise he
writes down one (sayi'ah/bad deed)."
(Narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Mu'jam
al-Kabeer, 8/158. The hadeeth was classed as saheeh by Shaykh
al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami', 2/212)
Once we know this, the number of angels who
accompany the son of Adam after he is born will become clear:
four angels.
Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
"The aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
`For him (each person), there are angels in succession, before
and behind him. They guard him by the Command of
Allaah' [al-Ra'd 13:10-11] means: each person has angels
who take turns in guarding him by night and day, who
protect him from evil and from accidents, just as other
angels take turns in recording his deeds, good and bad, by
night and by day.
Two angels, on the right and the left, record his
deeds. The one on the right writes down his hasanaat
(good deeds) and the one on his left writes down his
sayi'aat (evil deeds).
Two other angels guard him and protect him, one
from behind and one from in front.
So there are four angels by day and four others by
night." (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 2/504)
And Allaah knows best.
For more information see Question # 843
Islam Q&A. Sheikh Muhammed Salih
Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)
Question:
I was just wondering if Iblis was actually a jinn or
an angel. This particular issue recently sparked my
curiosity when it was presented to me by a person I know. If he
is an angel, then how is it he disobeyed Allah, when
Angels have no will of their own and follow only
Allah's command. If he is really a jinn, then it would better
explain his disobedience as then he actually had the choice
to obey or disobey Allah. I would appreciate a response,
even if it is a brief one.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Ibless _ may Allaah curse him _ is one of the jinn.
He was not an angel for a single day, not even for an
instant. The angels were created noble; they never disobey
Allaah when He commands them to do something and they
do what they are commanded. This is clearly stated in
the Qur'aanic texts which indicate that Iblees is one of
the jinn and not one of the angels. These texts include
the following:
1. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And (remember) when We said to the angels:
"Prostrate yourselves unto Adam." So they prostrated
themselves except Iblees (Satan). He was one of the jinn; he
disobeyed the Command of his Lord. Will you then take him
(Iblees) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather
than Me while they are enemies to you? What an evil is
the exchange for the Zaalimoon (polytheists, and
wrongdoers, etc)." [al-Kahf 18:50]
2. Allaah stated that He created the jinn from fire, as
He says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And the jinn, We created aforetime from the
smokeless flame of fire" [al-Hijr 15:27]
"And the jinn He created from a smokeless flame of
fire" [al-Rahmaan 55:15]
And it was narrated in a saheeh hadeeth that
`Aa'ishah said: the Messenger of Allaah (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 in his Saheeh, no. 2996; also
narrated by Ahmad, no. 24668; by al-Bayhaqi in al-Sunan
al-Kubra, no. 18207 and by Ibn Hibbaan, no. 6155).
One of the attributes of the angels is that they were
created from light, and the jinn were created from fire. It
was mentioned in the Qur'aan that Iblees _ may Allaah
curse him _ was created from fire. This is what Iblees
himself said when Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted,
asked him the reason for his refusal to prostrate to Adam
when Allaah commanded him to do so. He _ may Allaah
curse him _ said:
" `I am better than him (Adam), You created me
from fire, and him You created from clay'" [al-A'raaf
7:12; Saad 38:76 _ interpretation of the
meaning]. This indicates that he was one of the jinn.
3. Allaah has described the angels in His Book, where
He says (interpretation of the meaning):
"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, who disobey not, (from executing) the
Commands they receive from Allâh, but do that which they
are commanded" [al-Tahreem 66:6]
"And they say: `The Most Gracious (Allaah) has
begotten a son (or children).' Glory to Him! They [whom they
call children of Allaah i.e. the angels, `Eesaa (Jesus) son
of Maryam (Mary), `Uzair (Ezra)], are but honoured
slaves. They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on
His Command" [al-Anbiyaa' 21:26-27]
"And to Allaah prostrate all that is in the heavens and
all that is in the earth, of the moving (living) creatures
and the angels, and they are not proud [i.e. they worship
their Lord (Allâh) with humility]. They fear their Lord
above them, and they do what they are commanded"
[al-Nahl 16:49-50]
So it is not possbile for the angels to disobey their
Lord, because they are protected from sin and they are
naturally inclined to obey Allaah.
4. The fact that Iblees is not one of the angels means
that he is not compelled to obey Allaah. He has freedom
of will just as we humans do. Allaah says (interpretation
of the meaning);
"Verily, We showed him the way, whether he be
grateful or ungrateful"
[al-Insaan 76:3]
There are also Muslims and kaafirs among the jinn.
It says in Soorat al-Jinn (interpretation of the meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad): `It has been revealed to me that
a group (from three to ten in number) of jinn listened
(to this Qur'aan). They said: `Verily, we have heard
a wonderful Recitation (this Qur'aan)! It guides to the
Right Path, and we have believed therein, and we shall
never join (in worship) anything with our Lord (Allaah).'"
[al-Jinn 72;1-2]
In the same soorah, it states that the jinn said:
"`And indeed when we heard the Guidance
(this Qur'aan), we believed therein (Islamic Monotheism),
and whosoever believes in his Lord shall have no fear,
either of a decrease in the reward of his good deeds or
an increase in the punishment for his sins. And of us
some are Muslims (who have submitted to Allaah, after
listening to this Qur'aan), and of us some are
AlQaasitoon (disbelievers those who have deviated from the
Right Path)'…"
[al-Jinn 72:13-14]
Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in
his Tafseer:
Al-Hasan al-Basri said: Iblees was not one of the
angels, not even for a single moment. He is the father of the
jinn, just as Adam (peace be upon him) is the father of
mankind. This was narrated by al-Tabari with a saheeh
isnaad (part 3/89).
Some of the scholars said that Iblees was one of the
angels, that he was the peacock of the angels, that he was the
one among the angels who strove the hardest in
worship… and other reports, most of which come from
the Israa'eeliyyaat (stories and reports from Jewish
sources), and some of which contradict the clear texts of
the Qur'aan.
Ibn Katheer said, explaining this:
A lot of these reports were transmitted from the
Salaf, and most of them come from the
Israa'eeliyyaat, which may be been transmitted in order to be examined [i.e.,
as opposed to being accepted as is]. Allaah knows best
about the veracity or otherwise of many of them. Some of
them are definitely to be rejected, because they go against
the truth which we hold in our hands. In the Qur'aan we
have sufficient so that we have no need of previous
reports, because hardly any of them are free of distortions,
with things added or taken away. Many things have
been fabricated in them, for they did not have people who
had memorized things precisely by heart (huffaaz) who
could eliminate the distortions created by extremists
and fabricators, unlike this ummah which has its
imaams, scholars, masters, pious and righteous people,
brilliant critics and men of excellent memory who recorded
the hadeeths and classified them, stating whether they
were saheeh (sound), hasan (good), da'eef (weak),
mawdoo' (fabricated), matrook (to be ignored). They identified
the fabricators and liars, and those about whom nothing
was known, and other kinds of men (i.e., narrators). All
of this afforded protection to the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him), the Seal of
the Messengers and the Leader of Mankind, so that
nothing would be attributed to him falsely and nothing would
be transmitted from him that he did not say or do. May
Allaah be pleased with them and make them pleased
[by rewarding them], and make the Paradise of
al-Firdaws their eternal abode. (Tafseer al-Qur'aan
il-`Azeem, 3/90).
And Allaah knows best.
Islam Q&A. Sheikh Muhammed Salih
Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)
Question:
is there a hadith saying that the prophet was protected
by a jinn when the wife of abu lahab came to harm him?
if so please reply, or is there any other hadith regarding
the wife of abu lahab??
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
The idea that one of the jinn used to protect the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) from
the wife of Abu Lahab needs real evidence. The person
who said this has to produce evidence for it. Perhaps he
is confused, because what was reported was that the
angels, by the command of Allaah, protected the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) from the wife
of Abu Lahab, as we shall see.
Allaah, may He be exalted, guaranteed to protect
His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him),
as He said (interpretation of the meaning): "Allaah
will protect you from mankind" [al-Maa'idah
5:67]. One of the ways in which He protected His Prophet was
by subjugating His angels to protect and guard him. So
they hid him from the sight of the wife of Abu Lahab, and
she did not see him. The evidence for this is the report
narrated from Ibn `Abbaas, who said: "When the words
`Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab' [al-Masad 111:1
_ interpretation of the meaning] were revealed, the wife
of Abu Lahab came when the Messenger of Allaah was sitting with Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr said to him, `Why
do you not move out of her way so that she will not
harm you, O Messenger of Allaah?' The Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
`There will be a barrier between me and her.' She came and
stood over Abu Bakr and said, `O Abu Bakr, your
companion has lampooned us.' Abu Bakr said, `No, by the Lord
of this House, he has not spoken poetry and he does
not utter verse.' She said, `You are speaking the truth.'
When she went away, Abu Bakr (may Allaah have mercy
on him) said, `Did she not see you?' He said, `No, an
angel was covering me until she went away.'"
(Narrated by al-Bazzaar in al-Musnad, 1/68; he said
this hadeeth has a hasan isnaad. It was also classed as
hasan by Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Baari, 8/958).
(b) Among the ahaadeeth that have been narrated concerning her, may Allaah curse her:
From Jundub ibn Sufyaan (may Allaah be pleased
with hhim), who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fell ill and did not
stay up and pray Qiyaam for two or three nights; then a
woman came and said, `O Muhammad! I hope that your
shaytaan has left you! I have not seen him coming near you for
two or three nights!' Then Allaah revealed the
words (interpretation of the meaning): `By the forenoon
(after sunrise). By the night when it darkens (and stands
still). Your Lord (O Muhammad) has neither forsaken you
nor hates you" [al-Duha 93:1-3]."
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4667; Muslim, 1797).
Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar said: the words "a woman
came" refer to Umm Jameel bint Harb, the wife of Abu
Lahab. We have already stated this in Kitaab Qiyaam
al-Layl. (Fath al-Baari, 8/921).
Further evidence of the angels guarding the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) by the command
of Allaah is to be seen in another incident with Abu
Jahl, which was reported by Imaam Muslim (may Allaah
have mercy on him) in his Saheeh from Abu Hurayrah,
who said: Abu Jahl asked, "Does Muhammad rub his face
in the dust (i.e. does he prostrate when he prays at
the Ka'bah) when he is among you?" He was told, "Yes."
He said, "By al-Laat and al-`Uzza, if I see him doing that,
I will step on his neck or I will rub his face in the
dust." Then the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blesings
of Allaah be upon him) came and prayed. He (Abu
Jahl) had claimed that he would step on his neck, but
suddenly all they saw was that he was running away, raising
his hands to protect himself. It was said to him, "What is
the matter with you?" He said, "There is a ditch of fire
and terror and wings between me and him.The Messenger
of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "If he had come near me, the angels would have
snatched him piece by piece." Then Allaah revealed the words
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Nay! Verily, man does transgress (in disbelief and
evil deed).
Because he considers himself self-sufficient.
Surely, unto your Lord is the return.
Have you (O Muhammad) seen him (i.e. Abu Jahl)
who prevents
A slave (Muhammad) when he prays?
Tell me if he (Muhammad) is on the guidance (of Allaah)
Or enjoins piety?
Tell me if he (Abu Jahl) denies (the truth, i.e. this
Qur'aan) and turns away?
Knows he not that Allaah does see (what he does)?
Nay! If he (Abu Jahl) ceases not, We will catch him
by the forelock —
A lying, sinful forelock!
Then let him call upon his council (of helpers).
We will call out the guards of Hell (to deal with him)!
Nay! (O Muhammad)! Do not obey him (Abû Jahl)."
[al-`Alaq 96:6-19]
And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)
Question:
I am a non-Muslim who is currently enrolled in
class studying Muslim traditions. I am writing a paper on
the interpretation of prophets by commentators. One of
the words being repeated is al-mala al-a'la. I do not
know what this means. I know that al-a'la means the
most highest. Could you please help me with this. I
appreciate your time and your help.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
The phrase al-mala' al-a'laa is mentioned in both
the Qur'aan and the Sunnah.
In Soorat Saad, Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"`I had no knowledge of the chiefs (angels) on high
when they were disputing and discussing (about the
creation of Adam). Only this has been inspired to me, that I am
a plain warner.'" [Saad 38:69-70]
In his commentary on this aayah, Shaykh
al-Mufassireen Ibn Jareer al-Tabari (may Allaah have mercy on him)
said: " `I had no knowledge of the chiefs on high (al-mala'
al-a'laa) when they were disputing and discussing':
here Allaah is telling His Prophet Muhammad (Peace
& Blessings of Allaah be upon Him), `O Muhammad,
say to the mushrikeen among your people: "I had
no knowledge of the chiefs (angels) on high when they
were disputing and discussing" about the creation of
Adam before Allaah revealed this to me.' What this means
is: `My telling you about this is clear proof that this
Qur'aan is a Revelation from Allaah, because you know that I
had no knowledge of this before this Qur'aan was
revealed; it is not something I witnessed with my own two eyes _
I know it only because Allaah has informed me of it.'"
Other scholars of tafseer have said something similar.
The comments of other scholars:
Ibn `Abbaas said: "Allaah's words (interpretation of
the meaning) `I had no knowledge of the chiefs on high
when they were disputing and discussing' refer to the
angels, when they were consulted about the creation of
Adam, and they disputed it and said: Do not place a
khaleefah on earth."
Al-Saddi said: "`… The chiefs on high when they
were disputing and discussing' means: `… when your Lord
said to the angels: "Verily, I am going to place
(mankind) generations after generations on
earth"…' [al-Baqarah 2:30]"
Qutaadah said: "The words `I had no knowledge of
the chiefs on high when they were disputing and
discussing' refer to the angels, who disputed the creation of
Adam when Allaah said to them, (interpretation of the
meaning) `Truly, I am going to create man from
clay' [Saad 38:71]."
As regards what was reported in the Sunnah, Ibn
`Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father)
narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Peace & Blessings of
Allaah be upon Him) said that Allaah spoke to him in a
dream and said, "O Muhammad, do you know what the
chiefs on high are disputing about?… about the things
which expiate for sins. Things that expiate for sins are:
staying in the mosque after the prayers, walking to
join congregational prayers and performing wudoo'
properly when it is difficult to do so. Whoever does these
things will have a good life and die a good death, and he will
be as free from sin as on the day his mother bore him."
(Al-Tirmidhi, 3157; see also Saheeh al-Jaami', 59).
In his commentary on this hadeeth,
al-Mubaarakpoori explained that … "the chiefs on high" (al-mala'
al-a'laa) referred to the angels who are closest to Allaah.
Al-mala' refers to nobles who attend gatherings and sit at their
head because of their high status. They are described as
al-a'laa either because they live on high, or because of
their high status in the sight of Allaah. Their "dispute"
refers either to their competing or rushing to record these
deeds and take them up to heaven, or to their discussing
the virtue and blessing of these deeds, or to their feeling
happy about people when they do these good deeds. It may
have been called a "dispute" because it came in the form
of questions and answers, which sounds like a dispute or
a debate, hence it was appropriate to use the word
"dispute" in this context. And Allaah knows best.
Islam Q&A. Sheikh Muhammed Salih
Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)
Question:
What do you believe about angels regarding their
function, appearance, form and powers?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Belief in angels is one of the six pillars of belief or
faith without which there is no faith. Whoever does not
believe in any of these pillars is not a believer (mu'min).
These pillars are belief in: Allaah, His angels, His Books,
His Messengers, the Last Day, and that predestination,
both good and bad, comes from Allaah.
Angels are a part of the world of the Unseen which
we cannot comprehend. Allah has told us about them in
many places in the Qur'aan and via His Prophet
Muhammad (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him). There
follows a number of proven reports concerning the angels,
which hopefully will make you realize the greatness of
the Creator and the greatness of this religion which has
told us so much about them:
Of what are they created?
They are created from light, as `Aa'ishah reported:
"The Messenger of Allah (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be
upon Him) said: `The angels are created from light, just as
the jinn are created from smokeless fire and mankind
is created from what you have been told about.'"
(Reported by Muslim, no. 2996).
When were they created?
We have no knowledge of precisely when they
were created, because there is no text to tell us this. But
they were created before mankind for certain, because
the Qur'aan says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Behold, your Lord said to the angels: `I will create a
vicegerent on earth.' . . ." [al-Baqarah
2:30] The fact that Allah told them of His intention to create man indicates that
they already existed.
Their great size
Allaah says concerning the angels of Hell:
"O you who believe! Save yourselves and your
families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over
which are (appointed) angels stern and severe, who flinch
not (from executing) the Commands they receive from
Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded."
[al-Tahreem 66:6]
The greatest of all the angels is Jibreel (Gabriel),
upon whom be peace, who was described in the
following report:
"From `Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood, who said: the
Messenger of Allah (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him)
saw Jibreel in his true form. He had six hundred wings,
each of which covered the horizon. There fell from his
wings jewels, pearls and rubies, only Allah knows about
them." It was reported by Ahmad in al-Musnad, and Ibn
Katheer said in al-Bidaayah 1/47 that its isnaad is
jayyid.
The Messenger of Allah (Peace & Blessings of Allaah
be upon Him) said, describing Jibreel:
"I saw Jibreel descending from heaven, and his great
size filled the space between heaven and earth."
(Reported by Muslim, no. 177).
Among the greatest angels are those who carry the
Throne (of Allaah), who were described in the following report:
"From Jaabir ibn `Abdullaah from the Prophet (Peace
& Blessings of Allaah be upon Him), who said: `I have
been given permission to speak about one of the angels
of Allaah who carry the Throne. The distance between
his ear-lobes and his shoulders is equivalent to a
seven-hundred-year journey.'" (Sunan Abee Daawood,
Kitaab al-Sunnah, Baab fi'l-Jahamiyyah).
They have wings
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Praise be to Allaah, Who created (out of nothing)
the heavens and the earth, Who made the angels
messengers with wings - two, or three, or four (pairs) adds to
Creation as He pleases: for Allah has power over all things."
[Faatir 35:1]
Their beauty
Allaah said, describing Jibreel, upon whom be
peace (interpretation of the meaning):
"He [the Prophet] has been taught by one Mighty in
Power, Dhoo Mirrah (free from any defect in body and
mind), then he rose and became stable."
[al-Najm 53:5-6]
Ibn `Abbaas said: "`Dhoo Mirrah means that he has
a beautiful appearance." Qutaadah said: "He is tall
and beautiful."
The idea that angels are beautiful is firmly established
in all people's minds, so much so that they liken a
beautiful human to an angel, as the women said about Yoosuf:
". . . When they [the women] saw him, they did extol
him and (in their amazement) cut their hands: they said:
`Allah preserve us! no mortal is this! This is none other than
a noble angel!'"
[Yoosuf 12:31]
Their differences in size and status
The angels are not all of one size or status; there
are differences between them just as there are differences
in virtue. The best of them are those that were present at
the battle of Badr, as is stated in the hadeeth narrated
by Mu`aadh ibn Rifaa`ah al-Zuraaqi from his father,
who had been one of the people present at Badr. He
said: "Jibreel came to the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of
Allaah be upon Him) and asked, `How do you rate the
people among you who were present at Badr?' He said:
`They are the best of the Muslims,' or something similar.
[Jibreel] said: `So it is with the angels who were present at
Badr.'" (Reported by al-Bukhaari, no. 3992).
They do not eat or drink
This is indicated by the conversation between
Ibraaheem, the "friend" of Allaah and the angels who visited
him. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Then he turned quickly to his household, brought out
a fatted calf, and placed it before them. He said, `Will
you not eat?' (When they did not eat), he conceived a fear
of them. They said: `Fear not,' and they gave him glad
tidings of a son endowed with knowledge."
[al-Dhaariyaat 51:26-28]
Elsewhere, Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"But when he [Ibraaheem] saw their hands went
not towards the (meal), he felt some mistrust of them,
and conceived a fear of the. They said: `Fear not: we
have been sent against the people of Lut.'" [Hud 11:70]
They do not get bored or tired of remembering and worshipping Allah
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do
they ever slacken." [al-Anbiyaa' 21:20]
". . . For in the presence of your Lord are those
who celebrate His praises by night and by day. And they
never become tired (nor feel themselves above it)."
[Fussilat 41:38]
Their number
The angels are many, and their number is known only
to Allah. The Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be
upon Him) said, described the Much-Frequented House
(al-Bayt al-Ma`moor) in the seventh heaven:
"Then I was taken up to the Much-Frequented
House: every day seventy thousand angels visit it and leave,
never returning to it again, another [group] coming after
them." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, Fath, no.
3207).
`Abdullaah said: "The Messenger of Allaah (Peace
& Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) said: `Hell will
be brought forth that day by means of seventy thousand
ropes, each of which will be pulled by seventy thousand
angels." (Reported by Muslim, no. 2842).
Their names
The angels have names, but we know only the names of
a few of them. We have to believe in the names reported
in the Qur'aan and Sunnah texts, as a part of general
belief in the angels. Among the names of angels that are
known to us are:
(1) Jibreel (Gabriel) and (2) Mikaa'eel (Michael)
"Say: Whoever is an enemy to Jibreel - for he brings
down the (revelation) to your heart by Allah's will,
a confirmation of what went before, and guidance and
glad tidings to those who believe -
Whoever is an enemy to Allah, and His angels
and prophets, to Jibreel and Mikaa'eel - Lo! Allah is an
enemy to those who reject Faith." [al-Baqarah 2:97-98]
(3) Israafeel
From Abu Salamah ibn `Abd al-Rahmaan ibn `Awf,
who said: "I asked `Aa'ishah the Mother of the Believers
about what the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be
upon Him) used to start his prayer with when he got up to
pray at night (qiyaam al-layl). She said: `When he got up
to pray at night, he would start his prayer (with the
words): `O Allah, Lord of Jibreel, Mikaa'eel and Israafeel,
Creator of heaven and earth, Knower of the unseen and the
seen, You are the Judge of the matters in which Your
slaves differ; guide me with regard to disputed matters of
Truth by Your permission, for You guide whomever You will
to the Straight Path.'" (Reported by Muslim, no.
270).
(4) Malik
He is the Keeper of Hell, as Allah says (interpretation
of the meaning): "They [the people in Hell] will cry:
`O Malik! Would that your Lord put an end to us!'. . ."
[al-Zukhruf 43:77]
(5) Munkar and (6) Nakeer
From Abu Hurayrah, who said: "The Messenger of
Allah (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) said:
`When the deceased is buried (or he said: when one of you
is buried), there come to him two blue-black angels, one
of whom is called Munkar and the other Nakeer. They
ask him, `What did you used to say about this man?' and
he says what he used to say: `He is the slave and
Messenger of Allah: I bear witness that there is no god except
Allah and that Muhammad is the slave and Messenger of
Allah. They say, `We knew beforehand that you used to say
this.' Then his grave will be widened for him to a size of
seventy cubits by seventy cubits and it will be illuminated
for him. Then they tell him, `Sleep.' He says, `Go back to
my family and tell them.' They tell him, `Sleep like
a bridegroom whom no-one will wake up except his
most beloved,' until Allah raises him up. If (the deceased)
was a hypocrite, he says, `I heard the people saying
something so I said something similar; I do not know.' They
say: `We knew beforehand that you used to say this.' The
earth will be told to squeeze him, so he will be crushed
until his ribs are interlocked, and he will remain like that
until Allah raises him up.'" (reported by al-Tirmidhi, no.
1071. Abu `Isa said: It is a ghareeb hasan hadeeth. It is
judged hasan in Saheeh al-Jaami`, no. 724).
(7) Haaroot and (8) Maaroot
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
". . . and such things as came down at Babylon to
the angels Haaroot and Maaroot . . ." [al-Baqarah 2:102]
". . . and none can know the forces of your Lord, except
He. And this is no other than a warning to mankind."
[al-Muddaththir 74:31]
Their powers
The angels have great powers given to them by
Allaah, including the following:
The ability to take on different forms. Allah has given
the angels the ability to take on forms other than their
own. Allah sent Jibreel to Maryam (Mary) in the form of
a man, as Allah says:
". . . Then We sent to her Our angel, and he
appeared before her as a man in all respects."
[Maryam 19:17]
Angels also came to Ibraaheem in human form, and
he did not know that they were angels until they told him
so. Similarly, angels came to Lut in the form of young
men with beautiful faces. Jibreel used to come to the
Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) in
different forms: sometimes he would appear in the form of
Dihyah al-Kalbi, a Sahaabee who was very handsome,
and sometimes in the form of a Bedouin. The Sahaabah
saw him in his human form, as is reported from `Umar ibn
al-Khattaab in the two Saheehs. (`Umar) said:
"One day while we were sitting with the Messenger
of Allah (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him),
there appeared before us a man whose clothes were
exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no signs
of travel were to be seen on him, and none of us knew
him. He walked up and sat down by the Prophet (Peace
& Blessings of Allaah be upon Him). Resting his
knees against his and placing his hands on his thighs, he
said: `O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.'. . ."
(Saheeh Muslim, no. 8).
Many other ahaadeeth refer to the angels taking
human forms, such as the hadeeth about the one who killed
a hundred, in which it says ". . . there came to them
an angel in human form . . ." and the hadeeth about the
blind man, the bald man and the leper.
Their speed
The greatest speed known to man today is the speed
of light; the angels are able to travel much faster than
this. Hardly had an enquirer completed a question to
the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him),
but Jibreel would bring the answer from Allah.
Their duties
Among the angels is one whose task it was to convey
the revelation from Allah to His Messengers; this is
al-Rooh al-Ameen, Jibril, upon whom be peace. Allah says:
"Say: whoever is an enemy to Jibreel - for he brings
down the (revelation) to your heart by Allah's will. . . "
[al-Baqarah 2:97]
"Which the trustworthy spirit has brought down,
Upon your heart, that you may be (one) of the warners."
[al-Shu`araa' 26:193-194]
Another is responsible for rain, directing it wherever
Allah wishes. This is Mikaa'eel, upon whom be peace. He
has helpers, who do what he tells them, by the command
of his Lord; they direct the winds and clouds, as Allah wills.
Another is responsible for blowing the Trumpet,
which will be blown by Israafeel at the onset of the Hour
(the Day of Judgement).
Others are responsible for taking people's souls:
these are the Angel of Death and his helpers. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning): "Say: `the Angel of
Death, put in charge of you, will (duly) take your souls,
then shall you be brought back to your Lord.'"
[al-Sajdah 32:11] There is no proof in any saheeh hadeeth that
his name is `Azraa'eel.
Others are responsible for protecting the slave
throughout his life, when he stays home and when he travels,
when he is asleep and when he is awake. These are the
"angels in succession" concerning whom Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceal
his speech or declare it openly, whether he be hid by night
or go forth freely by day.
For each (person), there are angels in succession,
before and behind him. They guard him by the Command
of Allaah. Verily! Allaah will not change the good
condition of a people so long as they do not change their state
of goodness themselves (by committing sin and by
being ungrateful and disobedient to Allaah). But when
Allaah wills a people's punishment, there can be no turning
back of it, and they will find besides Him no protector."
[al-Ra`d 13:10-11]
Others are responsible for recording the deeds of
man, good and bad. These are the "honourable
scribes" (kiraaman kaatibeen) and are referred to in the
aayaat (interpretation of the meanings):
". . . and He sends guardians (angels guarding and
writing all of one's good and bad deeds) over you . . ."
[al-An`aam 6:61]
"Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and
their private counsel? (Yes We do) and Our
Messengers (appointed angels in charge of mankind) are by them,
to record."
[al-Zukhruf 43:80]
"(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
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]
"But verily, over you (are appointed angels in charge
of mankind) to watch you, Kiraaman (honourable)
kaatibeen - writing down (your deeds)."
[al-Infitaar 82:10-11]
Others are responsible for testing people in the
grave. These are Munkar and Nakeer. From Abu Hurayrah
who said: "The Messenger of Allah (Peace & Blessings
of Allaah be upon Him) said: `When the deceased is
buried (or he said: when one of you is buried), there come
to him two blue-black angels, one of whom is called
Munkar and the other Nakeer. They ask him, `What did you
used to say about this man?' . . ." [The hadeeth is quoted
in full above]
Some of them are the keepers of Paradise. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And those who kept their duty to their Lord will be
led to Paradise in groups, till, when they reach it, its
gates will be opened and its keepers will say:
Salaamun `alaikum (peace be upon you!). You have done well,
so enter here, to abide therein."
[al-Zumar 39:73]
Some of them are the keepers of Hell, the "guards of
Hell", whose number is nineteen and whose leader is
Malik, upon whom be peace. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell
in groups, till, when they reach it, the gates thereof will
be opened. And its keepers will say, `Did not the
Messengers come to you from yourselves, - reciting to you the
Verses of your Lord, and warning you of the Meeting of this
Day of yours?' They will say: `Yes, but the Word of
torment has been justified against the disbelievers!'"
[al-Zumar 39:71]
"Then. let him call upon his council (of helpers),
We will call the guards of Hell (to deal with him)!"
[al-`Alaq 97:17-18]
"And what will make you know exactly what
Hell-fire is?
It spares not (any sinner), nor does it leave
(anything unburnt)!
Burning the skins!
Over it are nineteen (angels as guardians and keepers
of Hell).
And We have set none but angels as guardians of the
Fire, and We have fixed their number only as a trial for
the disbelievers - in order that the People of the
Scripture may arrive at a certainty and the believers may
increase in Faith . . ." [al-Muddaththir 74:27-31]
"And they will cry: `O Malik (Keeper of Hell)! Let
your Lord make an end of us.' He will say: `Verily you
shall abide forever.'" [al-Zukhruf 43:77]
One of the angels is responsible for the sperm in
the womb, as is mentioned in the hadeeth of Ibn
Mas`ood (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:
"The Messenger of Allah (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be
upon Him), whose truthfulness is confirmed, said: `The
way that each of you is created is that he is gathered in
his mother's womb for forty days as a sperm drop, and
then for a similar length of time as a blood-clot, and then for
a similar length of time as a lump of flesh. Then an angel
is sent and he breathes the spirit into (the foetus), and
is charged with four commands: to write down his
provision, his life-span, his actions, and whether he will be
wretched or happy. By the One besides Whom there is no
other god, one of you may do the deeds of the people of
Paradise until he is just a cubit away from entering it, then his
fate will overtake him and he will begin to do the deeds of
the people of Hell, so he will enter Hell; and one of you
may do the deeds of the people of Hell until he is just a
cubit away from entering it, then his fate will overtake him
and he will begin to do the deeds of the people of Paradise,
so he will enter Paradise." (Reported by al-Bukhaari,
al-Fath, no. 3208 and by Muslim, no. 2643).
Some angels carry the Throne of Allaah, as He
describes in the Qur'aan (interpretation of the meaning):
"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) (saying): `Our Lord! You
comprehend all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those
who repent and follow Your way, and save them from
the torment of the blazing Fire!'" [Ghaafir 40:7]
Some of the angels travel throughout the world,
seeking out gatherings of dhikr (remembrance of Allaah).
Abu Hurayrah said: "The Messenger of Allaah (Peace
& Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) said: `Allah, be He
be blessed and exalted, has angels who travel the
highways seeking out the people of dhikr. When they find
people remembering Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, they
call out to one another, "Come to what you hunger for!"
and they enfold them with their wings, stretching up to
the lowest heaven. Their Lord asked then, and He
knows better than them, "What are My slaves saying?" They
say: "They are glorifying, magnifying, praising and
extolling You." He asks, "Have they seen Me?" They say, "No,
by Allaah, they have not seen You." He asks, "And
how would it be if they saw Me?" They say, "They would
be even more fervent and devoted in their praise
and worship." He asks, "What are they asking me for?"
They say, "They ask You for Paradise." He asks, "And
have they seen it?" They say, "No, by Allaah, O Lord,
they have not seen it." He asks, "And how would it be if
they saw it?" They say: "They would be even more eager for
it and they would beseech You even more earnestly."
He asks, "And what do they seek My protection from?"
They say, "From the Fire of Hell." He asks, "Have they
seen it?" They say, "No, by Allaah, they have not seen it."
He asks, "And how would it be if they saw it?" They
say: "They would be even more afraid and anxious to
escape it." Allah says: "You are My witnesses that I have
forgiven them." One of the angels says: "So-and-so is not
really one of them; he came (to the gathering) for some
other reason." Allah says, "They were all in the gathering,
and one of them will not be excluded (from
forgiveness)."'" (Reported by al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, no.
6408).
Some of them are responsible for the mountains. `Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) asked
the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon
Him): "Have you ever faced any day more difficult than the
day of Uhud?" He said: "I suffered at the hands of your
people and the worst that I suffered was what I suffered at
their hands on the day of `Aqabah. That was when I went
to call Ibn `Abd Yaalayl ibn `Abd al-Kalaal to Islam, and
he did not respond. I left, feeling depressed and
hardly knowing where I was going. I did not recover until I
found myself in Qarn al-Tha`aalib. I raised my head and
saw that I was being shaded by a cloud. I looked, and
saw Jibreel in the cloud. He called me and said: `Allah
has heard what your people said and how they responded
to you. He has sent the Angel of the Mountains so that
you can tell him to do to them whatever you want.' The
Angel of the Mountains called me and greeted me, then said:
`O Muhammad, tell me what you want me to do. If you
want, I can crush them between two mountains.'" The
Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) said: "All
I hope for is that Allah will bring forth from their
loins people who will worship Allah alone and not
associate any partner with Him." (Reported by al-Buhaari,
Fath, no. 3231).
Some of them visit the Much Frequented House
(al-bayt al-ma`moor). In the lengthy hadeeth describing the
Israa' and Mi`raaj (the Night Journey and the Ascent to
Heaven), the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon
Him) said:
"Then I was taken up to the Much-Frequented
House: every day seventy thousand angels visit it and leave,
never returning to it again, another [group] coming after them."
There are also angels standing in rows, who never
get tired or sit down, and others who bow or prostrate,
and never raise their heads, as was reported by Abu
Dharr, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: "The
Messenger of Allah (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him)
said: `I see what you do not see and hear what you do not
hear. The heaven makes a noise like groaning, and it has
the right to (or it is no surprise), for there is no space in it
the width of four fingers, but there is an angel there,
placing his forehead in sujood (prostration) to Allaah. By
Allaah, if you knew what I know, you would laugh little and
weep much, you would not enjoy your relationships with
women and you would go out in the street praying to
Allaah.'" (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, no. 2312)
This is a summary of Islamic teachings concerning
the noble angels of Allaah. We ask Allaah to make us
believe in them and love them. May Allah bless our
Prophet Muhammad.
(www.islam-qa.com)
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