AQEEDAH ASSIGNMENT

TOPIC: WORLD OF ANGELS

NAME: KHATHIJA AMRA

III TALEEM USH SHARIA
INTRODUCTION:

In Islam there are six pillars of faith: belief in Allah, belief in His angels, His books, His
messengers, the Last Day and divine predestination. Whoever does not believe in any of these
pillars is not a believer. Faith in the unseen world created by Allah is a required element of
faith in Islam, without which the Imaan remains incomplete. Among the creatures of the world
of the ‘Unseen’ are angels, which are mentioned in the Quran as faithful servants of Allah.
Every truly devout Muslim, therefore, is obliged to acknowledge the belief in angels.

Allah has told us about them in many places in the Quran:

Allah says: “It is not devotion to turn your faces towards the East or the West. Rather, true
devotion is when someone believes in Allah, and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book,
and the Prophets.” (2:177)

Our Lord says: “The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord,
and so do the believers. Each one believes in Allah and His angels and His Books and His
Messengers. We do not differentiate between any of His Messengers.”(2:285)

The word malak (angel) is derived from the root alaka; ma’lakah and ma’lak – meaning
‘message’. From this root is derived the word malaa’ik (angels), because they are the
messengers of Allah. It is also said that the word malak is derived from the root la’aka, and that
mal’aakah means message. The phrase “wa’alikini ila fulaan” means “convey to him from me.”
Al-Mal’ak means al-malak (angel) because the angels convey messages from Allah. Some of
the scholars said al-malak (angel) is derived from al-mulk (sovereignty).

If one of the angels is in control of some affairs, he is described as malak, and if a human being
is in control of some affairs, he is described as malik (king).

How should we believe in the angels?

Suyooti narrated that Al-Bayhaqi said in Shu’ab al-Eemaan: “Belief in the Angels” means the
following:

1. Belief that they exist.

2. Giving each one of them his rightful status, and believing that they are the slaves of Allah,
created by Him, like mankind and the jinn. They are commanded to do things and they are
accountable. They are not able to do anything except that which Allah has enabled them to do.
Death is possible for them, but Allah gives them a long life, and they do not die until their
appointed time comes. They should not be described in any way that would imply association
with Allah, and they should not be regarded as gods as they were regarded by the ancients,
some traditional cultures of early people.
3. Acknowledging that among them are messengers whom Allah sends to whomsoever He
wills among mankind. He may also send some of them to others. This implies acknowledging
that among them are the bearers of the Throne, those who stand in ranks, the keepers of Paradise
and the keepers of Hell, and those who record man’s deeds and those who drive the clouds.
PHYSICAL CHARATERISTICS OF ANGELS

Allah created the angels from light. They are unable to disobey Allah and follow His orders
without flinching or hesitating. These noble creatures play a significant role in the life of
human beings. They guard and protect, record and report, and gather with human beings who
remember Allah.

Creation from light

Allah created the angels from light, as ‘Aishah (RA) reported: "The Messenger of Allah
(PBUH) 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.’" [Muslim]

Time of creation

We have no knowledge of when the angels were created, because there is no text to tell us this.
However, we do know that it was before the creation of humankind. The Quran says in Surah
Baqarah, V.30: "Behold, your Lord said to the angels: ‘I will create a vicegerent on
earth.’". The fact that Allah told them of His intention to create man indicates that they already
existed.

Gender of the angels

Allah has made it clear that those who think that the angels are female are not right because
they say this with no knowledge. Allah says: “They have designated the angels female, those
who are the slaves of the Merciful. Were they present to witness their creation? Their
witnessing will be written down and they will be asked about it.” (43:19)

Visibility of angels
No one has seen the angels in their true form apart from Prophet Muhammad . He saw
Jibreel twice in the form in which Allah created him. On the other hand, different texts indicate
that human beings were able to see the angels in human form. An example for this is this
Hadeeth Jibreel :

Umar (RA) narrated, The messenger of Allah said:

“…..After asking the Prophet other questions, the visitor left and the Prophet said to
'Umar, (RA): "O 'Umar, do you know who the questioner was?" 'Umar (RA) said: 'Allah
and His Messenger know best'. He said: 'He was Jibreel (Gabriel); he came to teach you
your religion.'" [Muslim]
Physical size

The Messenger of Allah saw Jibreel twice in the angelic form in which Allah created him.
These two occasions are mentioned in the verse: "And he [i.e. Muhammad] has already seen
him [i.e. Jibreel] in the clear horizon." [81:23]

That was when he was taken up to the highest heaven during his miraculous ascension to
heaven. It is narrated that `Aa'ishah, (RA), said: "I asked the Messenger of Allah about
these two verses. He said, "That is Jibreel; I never saw him in the form in which Allah
created him except on these two occasions. I saw him descending from the heavens, with
his huge size filling the horizon between the heaven and the earth." [Muslim]

Beauty of the angels

Allah said, describing Jibreel: "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."
[53:5-6]

Ibn ‘Abbas said: "‘Dhoo Mirrah means that he has a beautiful appearance."

Similarity in appearance and form between angels and humans

The Messenger of Allah said: "The Prophets were shown to me (during his ascension),
and I saw Moosaa, a man of average build, looking like one of the men of (the tribe of)
Shanu'ah. And I saw `Eesa Ibn Maryam, and the person I have seen who most resembles
him is `Urwah Ibn Mas'ood. And I saw Ibraaheem, and the one who most resembles him
is your Companion. And I saw Jibreel; the person I have seen who most resembles him is
Dihyah." [Muslim and At-Tirmithi]

Is this a similarity between Jibreel's true form, or the form which Jibreel took when he appeared
in human form? Certainly, it is the latter, because Jibreel often used to appear in the form of
Dihyah Ibn Khaleefah (RA).

Status of the angels

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‘adh ibn Rifa‘ah al-Zuraqi from his father, who had been
one of the people present at Badr. He said: "Jibreel came to the Prophet 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.’" [al-Bukhaari].

As concerning Jibreel, Allah says: "[That] indeed, it [i.e. the Quran] is a word [conveyed
by] a noble messenger [i.e. Jibreel]. [Who is] possessed of power and with the Owner of
the Throne, secure [in position]"[ 81:19-20]. This means that Jibreel has a high status and
important rank before Allah.

Sustenance of the angels

The sustenance of the angels is glorifying Allah and repeating the words, there is no Allah but
Allah as mentioned in Surah Ambiya V.20. Allah aslo mentioned: “. . . For in the presence of
your Lord are those who celebrate His praises by night and by day. And they never flag
(nor feel themselves above it).” (41:38)

The story of Prophet Abraham in Quran also indicates that the angels have no need of
food. When angels, in the form of men, visited Prophet Abraham to give him the good tidings
of the birth of a son, he offered to them a calf in their honour. They refused to eat and he
became fearful, it was then that they revealed themselves as angels. It is mentioned over a
course of verses in Surah Dhaariyaat, verses 26-28.

Number of Angels

There are many angels, but only Allah knows the exact number. During ascension to heaven,
the Prophet Muhammad visited a House of Worship known as al Bayt al-Mamoor, the
heavenly equivalent of the Kaaba. The Prophet said, describing it:
"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."[al-
Bukhaari].

Different Angels and their duties

 Among the angels, the one whose task it was to convey the revelation from Allah to
His Messengers; is al-Rooh al-Ameen, Jibreel. Allah says: "Say: whoever is an
enemy to Jibreel - for he brings down the (revelation) to your heart by Allah’s
will…" [2:97]

 An angel is responsible for rain, directing it wherever Allah wishes – Mikail. He has
helpers, who do what he tells them, by the command of his Lord; they direct the winds and
clouds, as Allah wills.

 Angel Israfeel is responsible for the blowing of the trumpet and it signals the beginning of
life everlasting, either in Paradise or in Hell.
 When Prophet Muhammad rose in the night to pray he would begin his prayer with the
words, “O Allah, Lord of Jibreel, Mikaeel and Israfeel, 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.” (Saheeh Muslim)

 Angels Munkar and Nakeer are the ones responsible for questioning people in their graves.
We know these names and understand that we will be questioned by angels in the grave as
is mentioned in the traditions of Prophet Muhammad. “When the deceased 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
Allah 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.” (Sunan At Tirmidhi. Abu Isa said: It is a ghareeb hasan hadeeth. It is
judged hasan in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 724.)

 In Quran we find the story of two angels named Haroot and Maroot, who were sent to
Babylon to teach the people magic. Before revealing or teaching magic Haroot and Maroot
clearly warned the inhabitants of Babylon that they were sent as a trial, and that the buyers
of magic would have no share in the hereafter, i.e. they would go to hell. This incident is
mentioned in the Quran in Surah Baqarah, V102.

 We do not know the name of the Angel of Death but we do know his duty and that he has
assistants. Allah says: “Say: “The Angel of Death, who is set over you, will take your
souls. Then you shall be brought to your Lord.” (Quran 32:11)

There is no proof in any saheeh hadeeth (authentic report) that his name is ‘Azrail.

 Some of them are the keepers of Paradise. Allah says: "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: Salamun ‘alaikum (peace be upon you!). You have
done well, so enter here, to abide therein." [39:73].

Ibn Katheer said :the keeper of paradise is an angel called Ridwan, as clearly noted in some
ahadeeth.

 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. Allah says: "Then, let him call upon his
council (of helpers), We will call the guards of Hell (to deal with him)!" [97:17-18]
 One of the angels is responsible for the sperm in the womb, as is mentioned in the hadeeth
(report) of Ibn Mas‘ood (RA) who said: "The Messenger of Allah (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 ...." [al-Bukhaari, Muslim]

 Another type of angel are those entrusted with guarding each person both at home and while
travelling, in his sleep and when awake, and in all his states. They are those who take over
from one another. Allah Almighty says: “It makes no difference whether you keep secret
what you say or voice it out loud, whether you hide in the night or go out in the day.
Each has a succession of angels in front and behind, keeping him safe by Allah’s
command.” (13:10-11)

 Some angels carry the Throne of Allah, as He describes in the Quran: "Those (angels) who
bear the Throne (of Allah) and those around it glorify the praises of their Lord, and
believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who believe …" [40:7]

 Some of the angels travel throughout the world, seeking out gatherings of dhikr
(remembrance of Allah). Abu Hurayrah ((RA)) said: "The Messenger of Allah (PBUH)
said: ‘Allah, be He 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 ….."" [al-Bukhaari].

 Some of them visit the Much Frequented House (al-bayt al-m’amoor). In the lengthy
hadeeth describing the Isra and M’iraj (the Night Journey and the Ascent to Heaven), the
Prophet 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."(saheeh al Bukhari)

 The Recording Angel – These are the angels entrusted with preserving the record of each
person’s good and evil actions. These angels are the "honourable scribes". The Almighty
says: "But verily, over you (are appointed angels in charge of mankind) to watch you,
Kiraman (honourable) katibeen - writing down (your deeds)." [82:10-11]

The angels record in an honourable yet strict manner. Not a single word is left unrecorded
Apart from the four angels constantly with each human being, guarding, and recording,
other angels continually visit human beings.
Why humans are superior to angels?

Angels are a special class of creation of Allah with a purpose of performing His orders with no
choice to disobey. Allah has gifted humans with abilities and choices to empower them to
survive on the earth themselves – something the angels don’t enjoy. When the angels raised a
question out of curiosity regarding the freedom of humans, Allah replied to them that He knew
that which they couldn’t comprehend. He has created humans with more goodness than harm.
He has created amongst humans pious and noble people who love and worship Him alone with
their own choice. The command of Allah to angels to bow down to Adam is in itself a proof of
the superiority of humans over the angels. The supremacy of humans is also apparent when
realising the advancements made by man in terms of technology and civilization.
CONCULUSION

Therefore, it is to be concluded that the knowledge of the belief in angels is a crucial matter
in order to complete one’s Imaan. It is vital to believe in the angels as they are to be believed
– as per the Qur’an and Sunnah – their creation, their gender, their size, their appearance,
their sustenance, the different angels and their duties.

It is evident that angels are always obedient to the commands of Allah. It is also to be
understood that angels are very much involved with the life of human beings. Their
interaction with the humans does not end when the angel of death removes the soul, nor
does it end after the angels question the deceased person is his grave.
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1. Ashqar&Khattab , N.(2005) . The World Of The Noble Angels, Riyadh , International

Islamic Publishing House.
2. Kishk, A.(1996) ,The World of Angels, London, Dar-at-Taqwa
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