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Al-Haram Mosque in Makkah The Prophet's Mosque in Madinah . Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound in Jerusalem

 

 

Islam: God's Message of Guidance to Humanity

 

By Hassan Ali El-Najjar

 

Table of Contents

 

I. Introduction: Basic Information

 

1. Islam: A Brief Introduction    

 

2. Three Levels of Faith: Islam, Iman, and I'hsan    

 

3. The Scientific Evidence That God Exists and the Holy Qur'an Is His Message to Humanity    

 

4. Creation and Evolution in the Holy Quran

 

5. Humans, As God's Caliphs on Earth

 

6. Adam's Contest With the Angels, and Getting Out of Paradise


7. Worshippers By Choice Or Forced Slaves?  

 

8. The Relationship Between the Spiritual and the Physical in Islamic Teachings

 

9. Spirit, Soul, Mind, Self, and Happiness from an Islamic Perspective  

 

10. Heart-Mind Relationship in the Holy Quran

 

II. Islam: The Five Pillars of the Faith Structure

  

11. Islamic Proclamation of Faith

 

12. Performing Islamic Prayers

 

13. Giving Zakat, Charity, The Third Islamic Duty

 

14. Fasting and Ramadhan, Great Gifts from Allah to Muslims

 

15. Haj, Pilgrimage, the Fifth Pillar of Islam

 

III. Iman: Allah, His Angels, Messengers, Messages, Latter Day, and Qadar

 

16. Allah, As He Described Himself in the Holy Quran 

 

17. Angels

 

18. Noo'h, Noah, in the Holy Quran  

 

19. Ibrahim, Abraham, in the Holy Quran

 

20. Moussa, Moses, in the Holy Quran

 

21. 'Eissa, Jesus Christ, in the Holy Quran  

 

22. Muhammed in the Holy Quran

 

23. Prophet Muhammed's Night Journey and Ascent to Heavens, Al-Issra Wal Mi'raj

 

24. .The Last Day, The Hour, Resurrection, Reckoning, and Judgment

 

25. God's Precise Measurement and His Just Decree, Al-Qadar Wal Qadha

 

IV. I'hsan: Watching Allah in What We Say and What We Do

 

1. Introduction to Islamic Law, Shari'a, Part I, Prohibition, Don't Do, and Do Commands in the Holy Quran

 

2. The La (No) Commands

 

3. The Imperative Commands

 

***

 

Articles with Islamic Perspective:

 

Health Care Crisis in the US: An Islamic Perspective

 

"Terrorism" & "Islamo-Fascism" Propaganda Campaigns: An Interactive Lecture

 

Six Questions About Islam, Muslims and Jews

Five Islamic Issues: Predestination and choice, position toward other religions, angels, and the End of Days

Food: Islamic Rules and Teachings  

 

Are Muslim women second-class citizens  

The French Ban on Islamic Headscarf

 

Links to Islamic Topics 2007-2010

 

Links to Islamic Topics 2007

 

Links to Islamic topics 2006

 

Links to Islamic topics 2005

 

Links to Islamic topics 2004

 

Links to Islamic topics, 2003

 

2002 Links to Islamic topics

 

 

Islam:

God's Message of Guidance to Humanity

 

17

 

Angels

 

The Honorable Worshippers of Allah

 

in the Holy Quran

 

By Hassan Ali El-Najjar

 

Rabi' Al-Awwal 1435 - January 2014

 

Updated on 10th of Sha'ban, 1438 - 6th of May 2017

 

***

 

ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ

ÚöÈóÇÏõ Çááåö ÇáãõßúÑóãöíäó

 

Ýöí ÇáúÞõÑúÂäö ÇáúßóÑöíãö

 

ÊÃáíÝ ÍÓä Úáí ÇáäÌÇÑ

 

 ÑÈíÚ ÇáÃæá 1435 - íäÇíÑ 2014

ÊãÊ ãÑÇÌÚÉ åÐÇ ÇáÝÕá Ýí ÇáÚÇÔÑ ãä ÔÚÈÇä 1438 - ÇÇáÓÇÏÓ ãä ãÇíæ 2017

 

***

 

ÃÚæÐõ ÈÇááåö ãäó ÇáÔíØÇäö ÇáÑÌíã

ÈöÓúãö ÇááøóÜåö ÇáÑøóÍúãóÜٰäö ÇáÑøóÍöíãö

 

I seek refuge with God from the Stoned Shaytan

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

 

In a famous ‘Hadith, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him (pbbuh), mentioned three levels of faith or religiosity. These are Islam, Iman, and I’hsan. [1] Islam is addressed in Part II of this book and Iman is the topic of Part III. An essential component of Iman is the belief that there are angels, which is the topic of this Chapter. 

 

The Arabic word /malak/, angel, as a singular noun, was mentioned in the Holy Quran thirteen times, as a dual noun (two angels /malakayn/) twice, and as a plural noun (angels, /mala-ika), seventy-three times. [2]

 

This Chapter attempts to classify a selected number of verses referring to angels into separate categories, according to their meanings, which include their nature, their tasks in heavens, on Earth, on the Last Day, and how they treat believers and nonbelievers.    

 

 

1. Belief in Angels is Part of the Belief in Allah

 

An essential component of a Muslim’s faith is to believe that there are angels, who worship their Lord, Allah, praise to him, obey Him, and carry out His commands, as stated in verses 2: 285 and 4: 136.

 

Âãóäó ÇáÑøóÓõæáõ ÈöãóÇ ÃõäÒöáó Åöáóíúåö ãöä ÑøóÈöøåö æóÇáúãõÄúãöäõæäó ۚ ßõáøñ Âãóäó ÈöÇááøóÜåö æóãóáóÇÆößóÊöåö æóßõÊõÈöåö æóÑõÓõáöåö áóÇ äõÝóÑöøÞõ Èóíúäó ÃóÍóÏò ãöøä ÑøõÓõáöåö ۚ æóÞóÇáõæÇ ÓóãöÚúäóÇ æóÃóØóÚúäóÇ ۖ ÛõÝúÑóÇäóßó ÑóÈøóäóÇ æóÅöáóíúßó ÇáúãóÕöíÑõ  ﴿ÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡ 2: 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, His angels, His books, and His messengers, (saying), "We do not favor any of His messengers over others." And they say, "We hear and we obey. (We seek) Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the (final) destination" (Al-Baqara, 2: 285). 

 

æóãóä íóßúÝõÑú ÈöÇááøóÜåö æóãóáóÇÆößóÊöåö æóßõÊõÈöåö æóÑõÓõáöåö æóÇáúíóæúãö ÇáúÂÎöÑö ÝóÞóÏú Öóáøó ÖóáóÇáðÇ ÈóÚöíÏðÇ (ÇáäÓÇÁ ¡ 4: 136). 

 

And whoever disbelieves in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day - then indeed, he/she has gone far astray (Al-Nisa, 4: 136). 

 

 

 

2. Angels Who Are Mentioned in the Holy Quran

 

There are references to forty-one angels or categories of angels in the Holy Quran. Five of them are mentioned by name. These are Jibril (Gabriel, the most senior angel, who is the medium of communication between God and humans), Mikal (Michael, who is in charge with sustenance), Malik (who is in charge with the Hellfire), as well as Haroot, and Maroot (who were in Babylon, teaching people magic), as stated in verses 2: 98, 43: 47-77, and 2: 102.

 

ãóä ßóÇäó ÚóÏõæøðÇ áöøáøóÜåö æóãóáóÇÆößóÊöåö æóÑõÓõáöåö æóÌöÈúÑöíáó æóãöíßóÇáó ÝóÅöäøó ÇááøóÜåó ÚóÏõæøñ áöøáúßóÇÝöÑöíäó ﴿ÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡ 2: 98﴾.

 

Whoever is an enemy to Allah, His angels, His messengers, and (to) Jibril and Mikal (Gabriel and Michael) - then indeed, Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers (Al-Baqara, 2: 98).

 

æóäóÇÏóæúÇ íóÇ ãóÇáößõ áöíóÞúÖö ÚóáóíúäóÇ ÑóÈøõßó ۖ ÞóÇáó Åöäøóßõã ãøóÇßöËõæäó  (ÇáÒÎÑÝ ¡ 43: 77).  

 

And they (the criminals) will call, "O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us!" He will say, "Indeed, you will remain (in the Hellfire)" (Al-Zukhruf, 43: 77). 

 

æóÇÊøóÈóÚõæÇ ãóÇ ÊóÊúáõæ ÇáÔøóíóÇØöíäõ Úóáóìٰ ãõáúßö ÓõáóíúãóÇäó ۖ æóãóÇ ßóÝóÑó ÓõáóíúãóÇäõ æóáóÜٰßöäøó ÇáÔøóíóÇØöíäó ßóÝóÑõæÇ íõÚóáöøãõæäó ÇáäøóÇÓó ÇáÓöøÍúÑó æóãóÇ ÃõäÒöáó Úóáóì Çáúãóáóßóíúäö ÈöÈóÇÈöáó åóÇÑõæÊó æóãóÇÑõæÊó ۚ æóãóÇ íõÚóáöøãóÇäö ãöäú ÃóÍóÏò ÍóÊøóìٰ íóÞõæáóÇ ÅöäøóãóÇ äóÍúäõ ÝöÊúäóÉñ ÝóáóÇ ÊóßúÝõÑú ۖ  ﴿ÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡ 2: 102﴾ . 

 

And they followed what the devils had recited during the reign of Sulayman (Solomon). It was not Sulayman who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic. (They also followed) that which was revealed to the two angels in Babyl (Babylon), Haroot and Maroot, who did not teach anyone unless they would say, "We are a trial, so do not disbelieve (by practicing magic)"  (Al-Baqara, 2: 102).  

 

Two more angels are mentioned for their two great tasks but without mentioning their names, as stated in verses 32: 11 and 39: 68. 

 

Þõáú íóÊóæóÝøóÇßõã ãøóáóßõ ÇáúãóæúÊö ÇáøóÐöí æõßöøáó Èößõãú Ëõãøó Åöáóìٰ ÑóÈöøßõãú ÊõÑúÌóÚõæäó  (ÇáÓÌÏÉ ¡ 32: 11). 

 

Say, "The angel of death will take your souls, as he is tasked to do so. Then, you will be returned to your Lord" (Al-Sajda, 32: 11). 

 

æóäõÝöÎó Ýöí ÇáÕøõæÑö ÝóÕóÚöÞó ãóä Ýöí ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóãóä Ýöí ÇáúÃóÑúÖö ÅöáøóÇ ãóä ÔóÇÁó ÇááøóÜåõ ۖ Ëõãøó äõÝöÎó Ýöíåö ÃõÎúÑóìٰ ÝóÅöÐóÇ åõãú ÞöíóÇãñ íóäÙõÑõæäó  (ÇáÒãÑ ¡ 39: 68).  

 

And the Trumpet will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the Earth will fall dead except whom Allah wills. Then, as soon as it will be blown again, they will be standing, looking on (Al-Zumar, 39: 68). 

 

An eighth senior angel and his assistants are in charge of Paradise. Some scholars identified him as Radhwan (Content), as entering Paradise is the result of God's content with His worshippers. In the following 'Hadith, the Messenger of Allah, pbbuh, mentions him but without providing his name: 

 

Úóäú ÃóäóÓö Èúäö ãóÇáößò ¡ ÑÖí Çááå Úäå ÞóÇáó ¡ ÞóÇáó ÑóÓõæáõ Çááøóåö ¡ Õóáøóì Çááøóåõ Úóáóíúåö æóÓóáøóãó:

 

"ÂÊöí ÈóÇÈó ÇáúÌóäøóÉö íóæúãó ÇáúÞöíóÇãóÉö ÝóÃóÓúÊóÝúÊöÍõ ¡ ÝóíóÞõæáõ ÇáúÎóÇÒöäõ ãóäú ÃóäúÊó¿

 

ÝóÃóÞõæáõ ãõÍóãøóÏñ. ÝóíóÞõæáõ Èößó ÃõãöÑúÊõ áóÇ ÃóÝúÊóÍõ áöÃóÍóÏò ÞóÈúáóßó  (ÇáÈÎÇÑí æãÓáã).

Companion Anas Bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah, pbbuh, said:

 

"On the Day of Judgment, I come to the gate of Paradise, asking for it to open.

 

The (angel) in charge says: Who are you? I say: Muhammed.

 

He says: I have been commanded not to open (the gate) to anyone before you" (This 'Hadith was recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim). 

 

Eight more angels are mentioned as the Carriers of the Throne, as stated in verses 69: 16-17.  

 

æóÇäÔóÞøóÊö ÇáÓøóãóÇÁõ Ýóåöíó íóæúãóÆöÐò æóÇåöíóÉñ

 

æóÇáúãóáóßõ Úóáóìٰ ÃóÑúÌóÇÆöåóÇ ۚ æóíóÍúãöáõ ÚóÑúÔó ÑóÈöøßó ÝóæúÞóåõãú íóæúãóÆöÐò ËóãóÇäöíóÉñ  (ÇáÍÇÞÉ ¡ 69: 16-17).

 

And the heaven will split (open), becoming weak on that Day.

 

And the angels are at its edges. And above them, there will be eight (other angels), carrying the Throne of your Lord (Al-'Haqqa, 69: 16-17).

 

 

Nineteen angels are mentioned as Zabaniya, who work for Malik, in charge of the Hellfire, as stated in verses 74: 27-30 and 96: 18.  

 

æóãóÇ ÃóÏúÑóÇßó ãóÇ ÓóÞóÑõ ﴿٢٧﴾ áóÇ ÊõÈúÞöí æóáóÇ ÊóÐóÑõ ﴿٢٨﴾ áóæøóÇÍóÉñ áöøáúÈóÔóÑö ﴿٢٩﴾ ÚóáóíúåóÇ ÊöÓúÚóÉó ÚóÔóÑó ﴿٣٠﴾  (ÇáãÏËÑ ¡ 74:  27-30). 

 

And what is Saqar? (27) It is (the Hellfire, which) lets nothing remain and leaves nothing (unburned), (28) Blackening the skins. (29) Over it are nineteen (angels in charge). (30) (Al-Muddathir, 74: 27-30).   

ÝóáúíóÏúÚõ äóÇÏöíóåõ ﴿١٧﴾ ÓóäóÏúÚõ ÇáÒøóÈóÇäöíóÉó ﴿١٨﴾  (ÇáÚáÞ ¡ 96: 17-18).

 

 

Then let him (the disbeliever) call his associates; (17) We will call Al-Zabaniya (the angels of Hell) (18) (Al-'Alaq, 96: 17-18.  

 

Moreover, three pairs of angels are mentioned as tasked for every human being. The first pair is described as mutalaqiyan, the two recipients, who are in charge of recording his/her deeds in this life, as stated in verses 50: 17-18.

ÅöÐú íóÊóáóÞøóì ÇáúãõÊóáóÞöøíóÇäö Úóäö Çáúíóãöíäö æóÚóäö ÇáÔöøãóÇáö ÞóÚöíÏñ ﴿١٧﴾ ãøóÇ íóáúÝöÙõ ãöä Þóæúáò ÅöáøóÇ áóÏóíúåö ÑóÞöíÈñ ÚóÊöíÏñ ﴿١٨﴾  (Þ ¡ 50: 17-18).  

 

The mutalaqiyan (the two recipient angels) are seated on the right and the left (of the human being). (17)

 

(These) vigilant watchers (record) any words he/she utters (18) (Qaf, 50: 17-18). 

 

The second pair is tasked of questioning him/her directly after death, asking about his/her major beliefs, as we learn from the following 'Hadith: 

 

Úóäú ÇáúÈóÑóÇÁö Èúäö ÚóÇÒöÈò ¡ ÑÖí Çááå Úäå ¡Úä ÇáäÈí Õáì Çááå Úáíå æÓáã Ãäå ÞÇá Úä ÓÄÇá ÇÇáãÊæÝí: "æóíóÃúÊöíåö ãóáóßóÇäö ÝóíõÌúáöÓóÇäöåö ¡ ÝóíóÞõæáóÇäö áóåõ ãóäú ÑóÈøõßó æóãóÇ Ïöíäõßó æóãóäú äóÈöíøõßó¿"  (Óää ÃÈí ÏÇæÏ).

 

Companion Al-Bara' Bin 'Hazim, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet, pbbuh, said when a person dies, two angels question him/her, asking: "Who is your Lord (God)? What's your religion? Who is the Prophet (you followed)?" (Sunan Abi Dawood). 


The Holy Quran mentions that the angels of death scold self-oppressors and disbelievers, as they take their souls, but without mentioning that they are pairs of angels, as stated in verses 4: 97 and 8: 50-51. 

 

Åäøó ÇáøóÐöíäó ÊóæóÝøóÇåõãõ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ ÙóÇáöãöí ÃóäúÝõÓöåöãú ÞóÇáõæÇ Ýöíãó ßõäúÊõãú ÞóÇáõæÇ ßõäøóÇ ãõÓúÊóÖúÚóÝöíäó Ýöí ÇáúÃóÑúÖö ÞóÇáõæÇ Ãóáóãú Êóßõäú ÃóÑúÖõ Çááøóåö æóÇÓöÚóÉð ÝóÊõåóÇÌöÑõæÇ ÝöíåóÇ ÝóÃõæáóÆößó ãóÃúæóÇåõãú Ìóåóäøóãõ æóÓóÇÁóÊú ãóÕöíÑðÇ  (ÇáäÓÇÁ ¡ 4: 97).

 

æóáóæú ÊóÑóìٰ ÅöÐú íóÊóæóÝøóì ÇáøóÐöíäó ßóÝóÑõæÇ ۙ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ íóÖúÑöÈõæäó æõÌõæåóåõãú æóÃóÏúÈóÇÑóåõãú æóÐõæÞõæÇ ÚóÐóÇÈó ÇáúÍóÑöíÞö ﴿٥٠﴾

 

Ðóٰáößó ÈöãóÇ ÞóÏøóãóÊú ÃóíúÏöíßõãú æóÃóäøó ÇááøóÜåó áóíúÓó ÈöÙóáøóÇãò áöøáúÚóÈöíÏö ﴿٥١﴾ (ÇáÃäÝÇá ¡ 8: 50-51).  

 

Indeed, those whom the angels take [in death] while wronging themselves - [the angels] will say, "In what [condition] were you?" They will say, "We were oppressed in the land." The angels will say, "Was not the earth of Allah spacious [enough] for you to emigrate therein?" For those, their refuge is Hell - and evil it is as a destination (Al-Nissa, 4: 97). 

 

And if you could but see when the angels take the souls of those who disbelieved... They are striking their faces and their backs and [saying], "Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire. (50)

 

That is for what your hands have put forth [of evil] and because Allah is not ever unjust to His servants." (51) (Al-Anfal, 8: 50-51). 

 

The third pair of angels is described as composed of sa-iq and shaheed (driver and witness), who accompany every human being on the Day of Judgment, as stated in verses 50: 20-21. 

 

æóäõÝöÎó Ýöí ÇáÕøõæÑö ۚ Ðóٰáößó íóæúãõ ÇáúæóÚöíÏö ﴿٢٠﴾ æóÌóÇÁóÊú ßõáøõ äóÝúÓò ãøóÚóåóÇ ÓóÇÆöÞñ æóÔóåöíÏñ ﴿٢١﴾ (Þ ¡ 50: 20-21).

 

 

And the Horn will be blown. That is the Day of [carrying out] the threat. (20) And every soul will come, with it a driver and a witness. (21) (Qaf, 50: 20-21).

 

 

 

3. Their Nature

 

Allah, praise to Him, sends His angels to Earth, to carry out His commands. They are usually invisible to humans (9: 26, 33: 9). However, they may appear as humans to carry out certain tasks but they do not eat food, as we understand from verses 11: 69-71, in which Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him, provided them with food but they did not eat it.  

 

Ëõãøó ÃóäÒóáó ÇááøóÜåõ ÓóßöíäóÊóåõ Úóáóìٰ ÑóÓõæáöåö æóÚóáóì ÇáúãõÄúãöäöíäó æóÃóäÒóáó ÌõäõæÏðÇ áøóãú ÊóÑóæúåóÇ  (ÇáÊæÈÉ ¡ 9: 26).

 

ÝóÃóÑúÓóáúäóÇ Úóáóíúåöãú ÑöíÍðÇ æóÌõäõæÏðÇ áøóãú ÊóÑóæúåóÇ ۚ  (ÇáÃÍÒÇÈ ¡  33: 9).

 

Then Allah sent down His tranquility upon His Messenger and upon the believers and sent down soldiers angels whom you did not see (Al-Tawba, 9: 26).

 

We sent upon them a wind and armies [of angels] you did not see (Al-A'hzab, 33: 9). 

 

æóáóÞóÏú ÌóÇÁóÊú ÑõÓõáõäóÇ ÅöÈúÑóÇåöíãó ÈöÇáúÈõÔúÑóìٰ ÞóÇáõæÇ ÓóáóÇãðÇ ۖ ÞóÇáó ÓóáóÇãñ ۖ ÝóãóÇ áóÈöËó Ãóä ÌóÇÁó ÈöÚöÌúáò ÍóäöíÐò ﴿٦٩﴾

 

 

ÝóáóãøóÇ ÑóÃóìٰ ÃóíúÏöíóåõãú áóÇ ÊóÕöáõ Åöáóíúåö äóßöÑóåõãú æóÃóæúÌóÓó ãöäúåõãú ÎöíÝóÉð ۚ ÞóÇáõæÇ áóÇ ÊóÎóÝú ÅöäøóÇ ÃõÑúÓöáúäóÇ Åöáóìٰ Þóæúãö áõæØò ﴿٧٠﴾

 

 

æóÇãúÑóÃóÊõåõ ÞóÇÆöãóÉñ ÝóÖóÍößóÊú ÝóÈóÔøóÑúäóÇåóÇ ÈöÅöÓúÍóÇÞó æóãöä æóÑóÇÁö ÅöÓúÍóÇÞó íóÚúÞõæÈó ﴿٧١﴾   (åæÏ ¡ 11: 69-71).  

 

 

And certainly did Our messengers (angels) come to Ibrahim (Abraham) with good tidings; they said, "Peace." He said, "Peace," and did not delay in bringing (them) a roasted calf.  (69)

 

But when he saw their hands not reaching for it, he distrusted them and felt apprehension from them. They said, "Fear not. We have been sent to the people of Loot (Lot)."  (70)

 

And his Wife was standing, and she smiled. Then, We gave her good tidings of Iss'haq (Isaac) and after Iss'haq, Ya'qoob (Jacob).  (71) (Hood, 11: 69-71).

 

 

When angels descend to communicate with people, they appear as men, because people cannot see them in their natural state, as stated in verses 6: 8-9. 

 

 

æóÞóÇáõæÇ áóæúáóÇ ÃõäÒöáó Úóáóíúåö ãóáóßñ  æóáóæú ÃóäÒóáúäóÇ ãóáóßðÇ áøóÞõÖöíó ÇáúÃóãúÑõ Ëõãøó áóÇ íõäÙóÑõæäó ﴿٨﴾ æóáóæú ÌóÚóáúäóÇåõ ãóáóßðÇ áøóÌóÚóáúäóÇåõ ÑóÌõáðÇ æóáóáóÈóÓúäóÇ Úóáóíúåöã ãøóÇ íóáúÈöÓõæäó ﴿٩﴾ (ÇáÃäÚÇã ¡ 6: 8-9).

 

And they say, "Why has not an angel sent down to him?" But if We had sent down an angel, the matter would have been decided; then they would not be reprieved. (8)

 

And if We had made him an angel, We would have made him (appear as) a man, and We would have contributed to the confusion they bring on themselves (if they see an angel in his natural state) (9) (Al-An'am, 6: 8-9).

 

Angels were known to humans as extremely good-looking, as we know from how the Egyptian women described Yousuf (Joseph), peace to him. They mentioned that Yousuf must be an angel, not a human man, as stated in verse 12:31.  

 

ÝóáóãøóÇ ÑóÃóíúäóåõ ÃóßúÈóÑúäóåõ æóÞóØøóÚúäó ÃóíúÏöíóåõäøó æóÞõáúäó ÍóÇÔó áöáøóÜåö ãóÇ åóÜٰÐóÇ ÈóÔóÑðÇ Åöäú åóÜٰÐóÇ ÅöáøóÇ ãóáóßñ ßóÑöíãñ  (íæÓÝ ¡ 12: 31).  

 

And when they saw him, they greatly admired him and cut their hands and said, "Perfect is Allah! This is not a human; this is none but a noble angel" (Yousuf, 12: 31).

 

 

Angels are created of light. So, humans cannot see them in their natural state or they may be too light to walk on earth, like the heavy earthen humans, who are created from the earthen elements, as we read in verse 17:95. 

 

Þõá áøóæú ßóÇäó Ýöí ÇáúÃóÑúÖö ãóáóÇÆößóÉñ íóãúÔõæäó ãõØúãóÆöäöøíäó áóäóÒøóáúäóÇ Úóáóíúåöã ãöøäó ÇáÓøóãóÇÁö ãóáóßðÇ ÑøóÓõæáðÇ  (ÇáÅÓÑÇÁ ¡ 17: 95).  

 

Say, "If there were upon the earth angels walking calmly (securely), We would have sent down to them from the heaven an angel messenger" (Al-Issra, 17: 95).  

 

Angels are not females, or the daughters of God, as the disbelievers described them (maybe because they are good-looking), as we read in verses 17: 40 and 37: 150-153. 

 

ÃóÝóÃóÕúÝóÇßõãú ÑóÈøõßõã ÈöÇáúÈóäöíäó æóÇÊøóÎóÐó ãöäó ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉö ÅöäóÇËðÇ ۚ Åöäøóßõãú áóÊóÞõæáõæäó ÞóæúáðÇ ÚóÙöíãðÇ  (ÇáÅÓÑÇÁ ¡ 17: 40). 

 

Has your Lord chosen you for (having) sons and taken from among the angels daughters? Indeed, you say a grave saying (Al-Issra, 17: 40). 

 

Ãóãú ÎóáóÞúäóÇ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉó ÅöäóÇËðÇ æóåõãú ÔóÇåöÏõæäó ﴿١٥٠﴾ ÃóáóÇ Åöäøóåõã ãöøäú ÅöÝúßöåöãú áóíóÞõæáõæäó ﴿١٥١﴾ æóáóÏó ÇááøóÜåõ æóÅöäøóåõãú áóßóÇÐöÈõæäó ﴿١٥٢﴾ ÃóÕúØóÝóì ÇáúÈóäóÇÊö Úóáóì ÇáúÈóäöíäó ﴿١٥٣﴾ (ÇáÕÇÝÇÊ ¡ 37: 150-153).

 

Or did We create the angels as females while they were witnesses?" (150) Unquestionably, it is out of their falsehood that they say: (151)" Allah has begotten," and indeed, they are liars. (152) Has He chosen daughters over sons? (153) (Al-Saffat, 37: 150-153). 

 

The angels are male worshippers of their Lord, the Beneficent, as stated in  we read in verse 43: 19.   

 

æóÌóÚóáõæÇ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉó ÇáøóÐöíäó åõãú ÚöÈóÇÏõ ÇáÑøóÍúãóÜٰäö ÅöäóÇËðÇ ۚ ÃóÔóåöÏõæÇ ÎóáúÞóåõãú ۚ ÓóÊõßúÊóÈõ ÔóåóÇÏóÊõåõãú æóíõÓúÃóáõæäó ﴿ÇáÒÎÑÝ ¡ 43: 19﴾. 

 

And they have made the angels, who are (male) worshippers of the Beneficent, females. Did they witness their creation? Their testimony will be recorded, and they will be questioned (about it) (Al-Zukhruf, 43: 19).

 

There are several categories of angels. Some of them have two wings. Others have three or four wings, as we read in verse 35: 1. 

 

ÇáúÍóãúÏõ áöáøóÜåö ÝóÇØöÑö ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖö ÌóÇÚöáö ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉö ÑõÓõáðÇ Ãõæáöí ÃóÌúäöÍóÉò ãøóËúäóìٰ æóËõáóÇËó æóÑõÈóÇÚó ۚ íóÒöíÏõ Ýöí ÇáúÎóáúÞö ãóÇ íóÔóÇÁõ ۚ Åöäøó ÇááøóÜåó Úóáóìٰ ßõáöø ÔóíúÁò ÞóÏöíÑñ  ﴿ÝÇØÑ ¡ 35: 1﴾. 

 

Praise is to Allah, Creator of the heavens and the Earth, (who) made the angels messengers having two, three, or four wings. He increases in the creation what He wills. Indeed, Allah is capable of (doing) everything (Fatir, 35: 1).

 

 

4. Worshippers of Allah, Who Pray for Believers 

 

Angels are honored worshippers of Allah, who obey Him and carry out His commands to them. He knows everything about them and if anyone of them says he is a god, he will be punished in the Hellfire, as we read in verses 21: 26-29. 

 

æóÞóÇáõæÇ ÇÊøóÎóÐó ÇáÑøóÍúãóÜٰäõ æóáóÏðÇ ۗ ÓõÈúÍóÇäóåõ ۚ Èóáú ÚöÈóÇÏñ ãøõßúÑóãõæäó ﴿٢٦﴾

 

áóÇ íóÓúÈöÞõæäóåõ ÈöÇáúÞóæúáö æóåõã ÈöÃóãúÑöåö íóÚúãóáõæäó ﴿٢٧﴾

 

íóÚúáóãõ ãóÇ Èóíúäó ÃóíúÏöíåöãú æóãóÇ ÎóáúÝóåõãú æóáóÇ íóÔúÝóÚõæäó ÅöáøóÇ áöãóäö ÇÑúÊóÖóìٰ æóåõã ãöøäú ÎóÔúíóÊöåö ãõÔúÝöÞõæäó ﴿٢٨﴾

 

æóãóä íóÞõáú ãöäúåõãú Åöäöøí ÅöáóÜٰåñ ãöøä Ïõæäöåö ÝóÐóٰáößó äóÌúÒöíåö Ìóåóäøóãó ۚ ßóÐóٰáößó äóÌúÒöí ÇáÙøóÇáöãöíäó ﴿٢٩﴾  (ÇáÃäÈíÇÁ ¡ 21: 26-29).  

 

And they say, "The Beneficent (Allah) has taken a son." Exalted is He! Rather, they are honored worshippers. (26)

 

They cannot precede Him in word, and they act by His command. (27)

 

He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves. And they, from fear of Him, are apprehensive. (28)

 

And whoever of them says, "Indeed, I am a god instead of Him"- that one We would recompense with Hell. Thus do We recompense the wrongdoers. (29) (Al-Anbiya, 21: 26-29). 

 

Angels, including those who are close to Allah, are all His worshippers, who exalt Him, pray for the Prophet, pbbuh, and the believers. They also ask Allah to forgive the Earth inhabitants, as we read in verses 4: 172, 39: 75, 33: 41-43, 33: 56, and 42: 5. 

 

áøóä íóÓúÊóäßöÝó ÇáúãóÓöíÍõ Ãóä íóßõæäó ÚóÈúÏðÇ áöøáøóÜåö æóáóÇ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ ÇáúãõÞóÑøóÈõæäó ۚ æóãóä íóÓúÊóäßöÝú Úóäú ÚöÈóÇÏóÊöåö æóíóÓúÊóßúÈöÑú ÝóÓóíóÍúÔõÑõåõãú Åöáóíúåö ÌóãöíÚðÇ (ÇáäÓÇÁ ¡ 4: 172).  

 

Never would the Messiah disdain to be a worshipper of Allah, nor would the angels near (to Him). And whoever disdains His worship and is arrogant - He will gather them to Himself all together (Al-Nissa, 4: 172).  

æóÊóÑóì ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉó ÍóÇÝöøíäó ãöäú Íóæúáö ÇáúÚóÑúÔö íõÓóÈöøÍõæäó ÈöÍóãúÏö ÑóÈöøåöãú ۖ æóÞõÖöíó Èóíúäóåõã ÈöÇáúÍóÞöø æóÞöíáó ÇáúÍóãúÏõ áöáøóÜåö ÑóÈöø ÇáúÚóÇáóãöíäó (ÇáÒãÑ ¡ 39: 75).  

 

And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne, exalting their Lord with praise. And it will be judged between them in truth, and it will be said, "Praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds." (75)  (Al-Zumar, 39: 75). 

íóÇ ÃóíøõåóÇ ÇáøóÐöíäó ÂãóäõæÇ ÇÐúßõÑõæÇ ÇááøóÜåó ÐößúÑðÇ ßóËöíÑðÇ ﴿٤١﴾ æóÓóÈöøÍõæåõ ÈõßúÑóÉð æóÃóÕöíáðÇ ﴿٤٢﴾ åõæó ÇáøóÐöí íõÕóáöøí Úóáóíúßõãú æóãóáóÇÆößóÊõåõ áöíõÎúÑöÌóßõã ãöøäó ÇáÙøõáõãóÇÊö Åöáóì ÇáäøõæÑö ۚ æóßóÇäó ÈöÇáúãõÄúãöäöíäó ÑóÍöíãðÇ ﴿٤٣﴾ (ÇáÃÍÒÇÈ ¡ 33: 41-43). 

 

O you who have believed, mention Allah as much (as you can) (41) And exalt Him morning and afternoon. (42) It is He who confers blessing upon you, (so do) His angels, that He may bring you out from (several levels or forms of) darkness into the light. And He is Merciful to the believers. (43) (Al-A’hzab, 33: 41-43).

 

Åöäøó ÇááøóÜåó æóãóáóÇÆößóÊóåõ íõÕóáøõæäó Úóáóì ÇáäøóÈöíöø ۚ íóÇ ÃóíøõåóÇ ÇáøóÐöíäó ÂãóäõæÇ ÕóáøõæÇ Úóáóíúåö æóÓóáöøãõæÇ ÊóÓúáöíãðÇ  (ÇáÃÍÒÇÈ ¡ 33: 56). 

 

Indeed, Allah and His angels confer blessing upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, ask (Allah to confer) blessing upon him and greet him much (Al-A’hzab, 33: 56). 

 

ÊóßóÇÏõ ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊõ íóÊóÝóØøóÑúäó ãöä ÝóæúÞöåöäøó ۚ æóÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ íõÓóÈöøÍõæäó ÈöÍóãúÏö ÑóÈöøåöãú æóíóÓúÊóÛúÝöÑõæäó áöãóä Ýöí ÇáúÃóÑúÖö ۗ ÃóáóÇ Åöäøó ÇááøóÜåó åõæó ÇáúÛóÝõæÑõ ÇáÑøóÍöíãõ ﴿ÇáÔæÑì ¡ 42: 5﴾. 

 

The heavens almost break from above them, and the angels exalt their Lord with praise and ask forgiveness for those on earth. Unquestionably, it is Allah who is the Forgiving, the Merciful (AL-Shoura, 42: 5).

 

 

5. Angels’ View of Humans 

 

Allah, praise to Him, willed to make humans as His deputies (caliphs) on Earth, by giving them the mandate (amana), to govern this planet. The angels were surprised because of their knowledge about humans as corruptors and blood-shedders. However, the Creator, praise to Him, told them that He knows "that which they do not know." This means that He knows that there are good humans, who do not corrupt or shed blood.

 

Angels were also surprised because of their knowledge about the ignorance of humans. However, Allah, praise to Him, demonstrated to them that humans are intelligent and fast learners, when He brought Adam for a knowledge contest with them, in which Adam won. As a result of his winning, Allah, praise to Him, told the angels to acknowledge that by making prostration (sujood) to him. They all obeyed and prostrated to Adam, except Iblis (Satan), who refused and therefore he was banished from God's mercy and will be punished in the Hellfire, as we read in verses 2: 30-34 and as detailed in Chapter 6, "Adam's Contest With the Angels, and Getting Out of Paradise ." 

 

æóÅöÐú ÞóÇáó ÑóÈøõßó áöáúãóáóÇÆößóÉö Åöäöøí ÌóÇÚöáñ Ýöí ÇáúÃóÑúÖö ÎóáöíÝóÉð ۖ ÞóÇáõæÇ ÃóÊóÌúÚóáõ ÝöíåóÇ ãóä íõÝúÓöÏõ ÝöíåóÇ æóíóÓúÝößõ ÇáÏöøãóÇÁó æóäóÍúäõ äõÓóÈöøÍõ ÈöÍóãúÏößó æóäõÞóÏöøÓõ áóßó ۖ ÞóÇáó Åöäöøí ÃóÚúáóãõ ãóÇ áóÇ ÊóÚúáóãõæäó ﴿٣٠﴾  

 

æóÚóáøóãó ÂÏóãó ÇáúÃóÓúãóÇÁó ßõáøóåóÇ Ëõãøó ÚóÑóÖóåõãú Úóáóì ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉö ÝóÞóÇáó ÃóäÈöÆõæäöí ÈöÃóÓúãóÇÁö åóÜٰÄõáóÇÁö Åöä ßõäÊõãú ÕóÇÏöÞöíäó ﴿٣١﴾  

 

ÞóÇáõæÇ ÓõÈúÍóÇäóßó áóÇ Úöáúãó áóäóÇ ÅöáøóÇ ãóÇ ÚóáøóãúÊóäóÇ ۖ Åöäøóßó ÃóäÊó ÇáúÚóáöíãõ ÇáúÍóßöíãõ ﴿٣٢﴾  

 

ÞóÇáó íóÇ ÂÏóãõ ÃóäÈöÆúåõã ÈöÃóÓúãóÇÆöåöãú ۖ ÝóáóãøóÇ ÃóäÈóÃóåõã ÈöÃóÓúãóÇÆöåöãú ÞóÇáó Ãóáóãú ÃóÞõá áøóßõãú Åöäöøí ÃóÚúáóãõ ÛóíúÈó ÇáÓøóãóÇæóÇÊö æóÇáúÃóÑúÖö æóÃóÚúáóãõ ãóÇ ÊõÈúÏõæäó æóãóÇ ßõäÊõãú ÊóßúÊõãõæäó ﴿٣٣﴾  

 

æóÅöÐú ÞõáúäóÇ áöáúãóáóÇÆößóÉö ÇÓúÌõÏõæÇ áöÂÏóãó ÝóÓóÌóÏõæÇ ÅöáøóÇ ÅöÈúáöíÓó ÃóÈóìٰ æóÇÓúÊóßúÈóÑó æóßóÇäó ãöäó ÇáúßóÇÝöÑöíäó ﴿٣٤﴾ (ÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡ 2: 30-34).  

 

And (mention, O Muhammad), when your Lord said to the angels: I am making a caliph (deputy or successive authority) on the Earth. They said: Are You making therein one who corrupts it and sheds blood, while we hymn Your praise and sanctify You? He said: Surely I know that which you do not know" (30)  

 

And He taught Adam the names - all of them. Then He showed them to the angels and said, "Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful." (31)

 

They said, "Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except that which You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing, the Wise." (32)

 

He said, "O Adam, inform them of their names." And when he had informed them of their names, (Allah) said, "Did I not tell you that I know the unseen in the heavens and the Earth? And I know what you reveal and what you have concealed." (33)

 

And (mention) when We said to the angels, "Prostrate before Adam"; so they prostrated, except for Iblis (Satan). He refused, was arrogant, and became of the disbelievers. (34) (Al-Baqara, 2: 30-34).

 

áøóÜٰßöäö ÇááøóÜåõ íóÔúåóÏõ ÈöãóÇ ÃóäÒóáó Åöáóíúßó ۖ ÃóäÒóáóåõ ÈöÚöáúãöåö ۖ æóÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ íóÔúåóÏõæäó ۚ æóßóÝóìٰ ÈöÇááøóÜåö ÔóåöíÏðÇ  (ÇáäÓÇÁ ¡ 4: 166).  

 

But Allah bears witness to that which He has revealed to you. He has sent it down with His knowledge, and the angels bear witness (of that as well). And sufficient is Allah as a Witness (Al-Nissa, 4: 166). 

 

 

6. Messengers of Allah to Humans on Earth

 

Allah, praise to Him, sends angels as His messengers to Earth, to do tasks and communicate His messages to human messengers and prophets, as stated in verses 2:248, 3: 39, 3: 42, 15: 8, 16: 2, 32: 11, 22: 75, and 97: 4.  

 

æóÞóÇáó áóåõãú äóÈöíøõåõãú Åöäøó ÂíóÉó ãõáúßöåö Ãóä íóÃúÊöíóßõãõ ÇáÊøóÇÈõæÊõ Ýöíåö ÓóßöíäóÉñ ãöøä ÑøóÈöøßõãú æóÈóÞöíøóÉñ ãöøãøóÇ ÊóÑóßó Âáõ ãõæÓóìٰ æóÂáõ åóÇÑõæäó ÊóÍúãöáõåõ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ ۚ Åöäøó Ýöí Ðóٰáößó áóÂíóÉð áøóßõãú Åöä ßõäÊõã ãøõÄúãöäöíäó  (ÇáÈÞÑÉ ¡ 2: 248). 

 

And their prophet said to them, "Indeed, a sign of his kingship is that the Chest (Ark of the Covenant) will come to you, in which is assurance from your Lord, and a remnant of what the family of Moussa (Moses) and the family of Haroon (Aaron) had left, carried by the angels. Indeed, in that is a sign for you, if you are believers" (Al-Baqara, 2: 248).  

 

ÝóäóÇÏóÊúåõ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ æóåõæó ÞóÇÆöãñ íõÕóáöøí Ýöí ÇáúãöÍúÑóÇÈö Ãóäøó ÇááøóÜåó íõÈóÔöøÑõßó ÈöíóÍúíóìٰ ãõÕóÏöøÞðÇ ÈößóáöãóÉò ãöøäó ÇááøóÜåö æóÓóíöøÏðÇ æóÍóÕõæÑðÇ æóäóÈöíøðÇ ãöøäó ÇáÕøóÇáöÍöíäó  (Âá ÚãÑÇä ¡ 3: 39). 

 

So the angels called him while he was standing in prayer in the chamber, "Indeed, Allah gives you good tidings of Ya'hya (John), confirming a word from Allah, and (who will be) honorable, abstaining (from women), and a prophet from among the righteous" (Al-‘Imran, 3: 39).  

 

æóÅöÐú ÞóÇáóÊö ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ íóÇ ãóÑúíóãõ Åöäøó ÇááøóÜåó ÇÕúØóÝóÇßö æóØóåøóÑóßö æóÇÕúØóÝóÇßö Úóáóìٰ äöÓóÇÁö ÇáúÚóÇáóãöíäó  (Âá ÚãÑÇä ¡ 3: 42).  

 

And (mention) when the angels said: "O Maryam (Mary), indeed, Allah has chosen you, purified you, and chosen you above the women of the worlds (Al-‘Imran, 3: 42).  

 

ãóÇ äõäóÒöøáõ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉó ÅöáøóÇ ÈöÇáúÍóÞöø æóãóÇ ßóÇäõæÇ ÅöÐðÇ ãøõäÙóÑöíäó  ﴿ÇáÍÌÑ ¡ 15: 8﴾. 

 

We do not send down the angels except with truth; and the disbelievers would not then be reprieved (Al-‘Hijr, 15: 8).  

 

íõäóÒöøáõ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉó ÈöÇáÑøõæÍö ãöäú ÃóãúÑöåö Úóáóìٰ ãóä íóÔóÇÁõ ãöäú ÚöÈóÇÏöåö Ãóäú ÃóäÐöÑõæÇ Ãóäøóåõ áóÇ ÅöáóÜٰåó ÅöáøóÇ ÃóäóÇ ÝóÇÊøóÞõæäö  (ÇáäÍá ¡ 16: 2).  

 

He sends down the angels, with the inspiration of His command, upon whom He wills of His worshippers (telling them): "Warn that there is no (other) god except Me; so be righteous (to avoid M punishment)" (Al-Na'hl, 16: 2).   

 

Þõáú íóÊóæóÝøóÇßõã ãøóáóßõ ÇáúãóæúÊö ÇáøóÐöí æõßöøáó Èößõãú Ëõãøó Åöáóìٰ ÑóÈöøßõãú ÊõÑúÌóÚõæäó  (ÇáÓÌÏÉ ¡ 32: 11). 

 

Say, "The angel of death, who has been tasked with you, will complete your records (by taking your souls). Then, you will be returned to your Lord" (Al-Sajda, 32: 11).  

 

ÇááøóÜåõ íóÕúØóÝöí ãöäó ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉö ÑõÓõáðÇ æóãöäó ÇáäøóÇÓö ۚ Åöäøó ÇááøóÜåó ÓóãöíÚñ ÈóÕöíÑñ  (ÇáÍÌ ¡ 22: 75). 

 

Allah chooses messengers from the angels and the people messengers. Indeed, Allah is Hearing and Seeing (Al-‘Haj, 22: 75). 

 

ÊóäóÒøóáõ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ æóÇáÑøõæÍõ ÝöíåóÇ ÈöÅöÐúäö ÑóÈöøåöã ãöøä ßõáöø ÃóãúÑò (ÇáÞÏÑ ¡ 97: 4).

 

The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord, for every matter (Al-Qadr, 97: 4).

 

 

7. Support for the Believers on Earth

 

Allah, praise to Him, also sends His angels to Earth, in support for the believers, as we read in verses 8, 9, 8: 12, 3: 124-125, and 41: 30-31. 

 

ÅöÐú ÊóÓúÊóÛöíËõæäó ÑóÈøóßõãú ÝóÇÓúÊóÌóÇÈó áóßõãú Ãóäöøí ãõãöÏøõßõã ÈöÃóáúÝò ãöøäó ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉö ãõÑúÏöÝöíäó  (ÇáÃäÝÇá ¡ 8: 9). 

 

When you asked for help from your Lord, He answered you, "Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another." (Al-Anfal, 8: 9).  

 

ÅöÐú íõæÍöí ÑóÈøõßó Åöáóì ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉö Ãóäöøí ãóÚóßõãú ÝóËóÈöøÊõæÇ ÇáøóÐöíäó ÂãóäõæÇ ۚ  (ÇáÃäÝÇá ¡ 8: 12). 

 

Then, your Lord inspired to the angels, "I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed (Al-Anfal, 8: 12).   

 

ÅöÐú ÊóÞõæáõ áöáúãõÄúãöäöíäó Ãóáóä íóßúÝöíóßõãú Ãóä íõãöÏøóßõãú ÑóÈøõßõã ÈöËóáóÇËóÉö ÂáóÇÝò ãöøäó ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉö ãõäÒóáöíäó ﴿١٢٤﴾  

 

Èóáóìٰ ۚ Åöä ÊóÕúÈöÑõæÇ æóÊóÊøóÞõæÇ æóíóÃúÊõæßõã ãöøä ÝóæúÑöåöãú åóÜٰÐóÇ íõãúÏöÏúßõãú ÑóÈøõßõã ÈöÎóãúÓóÉö ÂáóÇÝò ãöøäó ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉö ãõÓóæöøãöíäó ﴿١٢٥﴾ (Âá ÚãÑÇä ¡ 3: 124-125).  

 

[Remember] when you said to the believers, "Is it not sufficient for you that your Lord should reinforce you with three thousand angels sent down?  

 

Yes, if you remain patient and conscious of Allah, (even as) the enemy come upon you (attacking) in rage, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand distinguished angels (Al-‘Imran, 3: 124-125).  

 

Åöäøó ÇáøóÐöíäó ÞóÇáõæÇ ÑóÈøõäóÇ ÇááøóÜåõ Ëõãøó ÇÓúÊóÞóÇãõæÇ ÊóÊóäóÒøóáõ Úóáóíúåöãõ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ ÃóáøóÇ ÊóÎóÇÝõæÇ æóáóÇ ÊóÍúÒóäõæÇ æóÃóÈúÔöÑõæÇ ÈöÇáúÌóäøóÉö ÇáøóÊöí ßõäÊõãú ÊõæÚóÏõæäó ﴿٣٠﴾

 

äóÍúäõ ÃóæúáöíóÇÄõßõãú Ýöí ÇáúÍóíóÇÉö ÇáÏøõäúíóÇ æóÝöí ÇáúÂÎöÑóÉö ۖ æóáóßõãú ÝöíåóÇ ãóÇ ÊóÔúÊóåöí ÃóäÝõÓõßõãú æóáóßõãú ÝöíåóÇ ãóÇ ÊóÏøóÚõæäó ﴿٣١﴾ (ÝÕáÊ ¡ 41: 30-31). 

 

Indeed, those who have said, "Our Lord is Allah" and then remained on a right course - the angels will descend upon them,([saying): "Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised.  (30)

 

We (angels) are your patrons (allies) in this short life and in the (everlasting) latter one. And you will have therein whatever your souls may desire, and you will have therein whatever you request (or wish). (31) (Fussilat, 41: 30-31).

 

 

8. Greeting Believers at Death and in Paradise

 

At death, believers are greeted by angels, saying to them "peace be upon you" and giving them glad tidings of entering Paradise, in reward for their good deeds. In the Last Day, believers are also comforted by the angels, assuring them of their promised reward. In Paradise, believers are also greeted by angels who congratulate them for their great winning, as we read in verses 16: 32, 21: 103, 39: 73-74, and 13: 123-124.  

 

ÇáøóÐöíäó ÊóÊóæóÝøóÇåõãõ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ ØóíöøÈöíäó ۙ íóÞõæáõæäó ÓóáóÇãñ Úóáóíúßõãõ ÇÏúÎõáõæÇ ÇáúÌóäøóÉó ÈöãóÇ ßõäÊõãú ÊóÚúãóáõæäó  (ÇáäÍá ¡ 16: 32).

 

The good (believers) whom the angels complete their records (take their souls at death), (the angels will say to them): "Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise for what you used to do." (Al-Na’hl, 16: 28-29). 

 

áóÇ íóÍúÒõäõåõãõ ÇáúÝóÒóÚõ ÇáúÃóßúÈóÑõ æóÊóÊóáóÞøóÇåõãõ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ åóÜٰÐóÇ íóæúãõßõãõ ÇáøóÐöí ßõäÊõãú ÊõæÚóÏõæäó  (ÇáÃäÈíÇÁ ¡ 21: 103). 

 

They (the believers) will not be grieved by the greatest horror, and the angels will meet them,(saying to them): "This is your Day which you have been promised" (Al-Anbiya, 21: 103).

 

æóÓöíÞó ÇáøóÐöíäó ÇÊøóÞóæúÇ ÑóÈøóåõãú Åöáóì ÇáúÌóäøóÉö ÒõãóÑðÇ ۖ ÍóÊøóìٰ ÅöÐóÇ ÌóÇÁõæåóÇ æóÝõÊöÍóÊú ÃóÈúæóÇÈõåóÇ æóÞóÇáó áóåõãú ÎóÒóäóÊõåóÇ ÓóáóÇãñ Úóáóíúßõãú ØöÈúÊõãú ÝóÇÏúÎõáõæåóÇ ÎóÇáöÏöíäó ﴿٧٣﴾

 

æóÞóÇáõæÇ ÇáúÍóãúÏõ áöáøóÜåö ÇáøóÐöí ÕóÏóÞóäóÇ æóÚúÏóåõ æóÃóæúÑóËóäóÇ ÇáúÃóÑúÖó äóÊóÈóæøóÃõ ãöäó ÇáúÌóäøóÉö ÍóíúËõ äóÔóÇÁõ ۖ ÝóäöÚúãó ÃóÌúÑõ ÇáúÚóÇãöáöíäó ﴿٧٤﴾   (ÇáÒãÑ ¡ 39: 73-74).  

 

And those who were righteous (in obedience to) their Lord will be driven to Paradise in groups, until they reach it and its gates have been opened. Then, its keepers will say: "Peace be upon you; you have become pure. So, enter it to abide eternally therein" (73)

 

And they will say, "Praise to Allah, Who has fulfilled for us His promise and made us inherit the earth, (so) we may settle in Paradise wherever we will. And excellent is the reward of (good) doers" (74) (Al-Zumar, 39: 73-74). 

 

ÌóäøóÇÊõ ÚóÏúäò íóÏúÎõáõæäóåóÇ æóãóä ÕóáóÍó ãöäú ÂÈóÇÆöåöãú æóÃóÒúæóÇÌöåöãú æóÐõÑöøíøóÇÊöåöãú  æóÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ íóÏúÎõáõæäó Úóáóíúåöã ãöøä ßõáöø ÈóÇÈò ﴿٢٣﴾

 

ÓóáóÇãñ Úóáóíúßõã ÈöãóÇ ÕóÈóÑúÊõãú  ÝóäöÚúãó ÚõÞúÈóì ÇáÏøóÇÑö ﴿٢٤﴾ (ÇáÑÚÏ ¡ 13: 23-24).  

 

Gardens of perpetual residence; they will enter them with whoever were righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their descendants. And the angels will enter upon them from every gate, (saying): (23)

 

"Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final home" (24) (Al-Ra’d, 13: 23-24). 

 

 

9. Rebuking Self-Oppressors, Beating Disbelievers at Death and in Hell

 

At death, angels rebuke, beat, and give bad news to disbelievers and self-oppressors (wrong-doers). "On the Last Day, angels also rebuke them, driving them in groups to the Hellfire, saying to them: "Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire," as we read in verses 6: 93, 4: 97-99, 16: 28-29, 8: 50, 25: 22, and 39: 71-72.  

 

æóáóæú ÊóÑóìٰ ÅöÐö ÇáÙøóÇáöãõæäó Ýöí ÛóãóÑóÇÊö ÇáúãóæúÊö æóÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ ÈóÇÓöØõæ ÃóíúÏöíåöãú ÃóÎúÑöÌõæÇ ÃóäÝõÓóßõãõ ۖ Çáúíóæúãó ÊõÌúÒóæúäó ÚóÐóÇÈó Çáúåõæäö ÈöãóÇ ßõäÊõãú ÊóÞõæáõæäó Úóáóì ÇááøóÜåö ÛóíúÑó ÇáúÍóÞöø æóßõäÊõãú Úóäú ÂíóÇÊöåö ÊóÓúÊóßúÈöÑõæäó  ﴿ÇáÃäÚÇã ¡ 6: 93﴾.  

 

And if you could see when the self-oppressors (wrongdoers) are (experiencing) the pangs of death while the angels are extending their hands (striking them and saying): "Discharge your souls! Today, you will be awarded the punishment of (extreme) humiliation for what you used to say against Allah, other than the truth, and for being arrogant toward His verses" (Al-An’am, 6: 93).  

 

Åöäøó ÇáøóÐöíäó ÊóæóÝøóÇåõãõ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ ÙóÇáöãöí ÃóäÝõÓöåöãú ÞóÇáõæÇ Ýöíãó ßõäÊõãú ۖ ÞóÇáõæÇ ßõäøóÇ ãõÓúÊóÖúÚóÝöíäó Ýöí ÇáúÃóÑúÖö ۚ ÞóÇáõæÇ Ãóáóãú Êóßõäú ÃóÑúÖõ ÇááøóÜåö æóÇÓöÚóÉð ÝóÊõåóÇÌöÑõæÇ ÝöíåóÇ ۚ ÝóÃõæáóÜٰÆößó ãóÃúæóÇåõãú Ìóåóäøóãõ ۖ æóÓóÇÁóÊú ãóÕöíÑðÇ ﴿٩٧﴾  

 

ÅöáøóÇ ÇáúãõÓúÊóÖúÚóÝöíäó ãöäó ÇáÑöøÌóÇáö æóÇáäöøÓóÇÁö æóÇáúæöáúÏóÇäö áóÇ íóÓúÊóØöíÚõæäó ÍöíáóÉð æóáóÇ íóåúÊóÏõæäó ÓóÈöíáðÇ ﴿٩٨﴾  

 

ÝóÃõæáóÜٰÆößó ÚóÓóì ÇááøóÜåõ Ãóä íóÚúÝõæó Úóäúåõãú ۚ æóßóÇäó ÇááøóÜåõ ÚóÝõæøðÇ ÛóÝõæÑðÇ ﴿٩٩﴾ (ÇáäÓÇÁ ¡ 4: 97-99).  

 

Those whom the angels complete their records (and take their souls at death) while they are self-oppressors (wronging themselves) - (the angels) will say: "In what (condition) were you?" They will say, "We were weakened in the land." The angels will say, "Was not the Earth of Allah vast (enough) for you to immigrate therein?" For those, their refuge is Hell - and that is the worst destination. (97)  

 

Except for the weakened among men, women, and children who cannot devise a plan nor they are guided to a way (for immigration) - (98)  

 

Allah may pardon those, (as) Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving. (99)  (Al-Nissa, 4: 97-99).  

 

ÇáøóÐöíäó ÊóÊóæóÝøóÇåõãõ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ ÙóÇáöãöí ÃóäÝõÓöåöãú ۖ ÝóÃóáúÞóæõÇ ÇáÓøóáóãó ãóÇ ßõäøóÇ äóÚúãóáõ ãöä ÓõæÁò ۚ Èóáóìٰ Åöäøó ÇááøóÜåó Úóáöíãñ ÈöãóÇ ßõäÊõãú ÊóÚúãóáõæäó ﴿٢٨﴾

 

ÝóÇÏúÎõáõæÇ ÃóÈúæóÇÈó Ìóåóäøóãó ÎóÇáöÏöíäó ÝöíåóÇ ۖ ÝóáóÈöÆúÓó ãóËúæóì ÇáúãõÊóßóÈöøÑöíäó ﴿٢٩﴾ (ÇáäÍá ¡ 16: 28-29). 

 

Those whom the angels complete their records (and take their souls at death) while they are self-oppressors (wronging themselves), and (who) then offer submission, (saying): "We were not doing any bad (deeds)." But surely, Allah is Knowing of what you used to do. (28)

 

So enter the gates of Hell to abide eternally therein, and how wretched is the residence of the arrogant! (29) (Al-Na’hl, 16: 28-29). 

 

æóáóæú ÊóÑóìٰ ÅöÐú íóÊóæóÝøóì ÇáøóÐöíäó ßóÝóÑõæÇ ۙ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ íóÖúÑöÈõæäó æõÌõæåóåõãú æóÃóÏúÈóÇÑóåõãú æóÐõæÞõæÇ ÚóÐóÇÈó ÇáúÍóÑöíÞö  (ÇáÃäÝÇá ¡ 8: 50).  

 

And if you could but see when the angels complete the records (and take the souls) of those who disbelieved, they strike their faces and their backs, and (saying): "Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire" (Al-Anfal, 8: 50).  

 

íóæúãó íóÑóæúäó ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉó áóÇ ÈõÔúÑóìٰ íóæúãóÆöÐò áöøáúãõÌúÑöãöíäó æóíóÞõæáõæäó ÍöÌúÑðÇ ãøóÍúÌõæÑðÇ  (ÇáÝÑÞÇä ¡ 25: 22). 

 

The day the criminals see the angels (at death), there will be no good tidings for them, and (the angels will say to them): (You are) "prevented and have no access" (to God's mercy). (Al-Furqan, 25: 22). 

 

æóÓöíÞó ÇáøóÐöíäó ßóÝóÑõæÇ Åöáóìٰ Ìóåóäøóãó ÒõãóÑðÇ ۖ ÍóÊøóìٰ ÅöÐóÇ ÌóÇÁõæåóÇ ÝõÊöÍóÊú ÃóÈúæóÇÈõåóÇ æóÞóÇáó áóåõãú ÎóÒóäóÊõåóÇ Ãóáóãú íóÃúÊößõãú ÑõÓõáñ ãöøäßõãú íóÊúáõæäó Úóáóíúßõãú ÂíóÇÊö ÑóÈöøßõãú æóíõäÐöÑõæäóßõãú áöÞóÇÁó íóæúãößõãú åóÜٰÐóÇ ۚ ÞóÇáõæÇ Èóáóìٰ æóáóÜٰßöäú ÍóÞøóÊú ßóáöãóÉõ ÇáúÚóÐóÇÈö Úóáóì ÇáúßóÇÝöÑöíäó ﴿٧١﴾ Þöíáó ÇÏúÎõáõæÇ ÃóÈúæóÇÈó Ìóåóäøóãó ÎóÇáöÏöíäó ÝöíåóÇ ۖ ÝóÈöÆúÓó ãóËúæóì ÇáúãõÊóßóÈöøÑöíäó ﴿٧٢﴾ (ÇáÒãÑ ¡ 39: 71-72).  

 

And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups, until they reach it. Then, its gates are opened, and its keepers will say (to them), "Did there not come to you messengers 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 punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers. (71)

 

(To them) it will be said: "Enter the gates of Hell to abide eternally therein, and wretched is the residence of the arrogant." (72)  (Al-Zumar, 39: 71-72). 

 

 

10. On the Last Day

 

During the Last Day, the angels and Jibril, peace be to him, ascend to their Lord. They will also be spread at the edges of split heavens. Eight of them will be carrying God's Throne. Then, they and Jibril will stand in rows before their Lord, silent, unless they are given permission, and they will only say what is correct, as we read in verses 4: 70, 25: 25-26, 69: 16-17, 89: 21-22, and 78: 38.  

 

ÊóÚúÑõÌõ ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ æóÇáÑøõæÍõ Åöáóíúåö Ýöí íóæúãò ßóÇäó ãöÞúÏóÇÑõåõ ÎóãúÓöíäó ÃóáúÝó ÓóäóÉò  ﴿ÇáãÚÇÑÌ ¡ 70: 4﴾. 

 

The angels and the Spirit (Jibril) will ascend to Him during a Day (The Last Day), the measure of which is fifty thousand years (Al-Ma’arij, 70: 4).  

 

æóíóæúãó ÊóÔóÞøóÞõ ÇáÓøóãóÇÁõ ÈöÇáúÛóãóÇãö æóäõÒöøáó ÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ ÊóäÒöíáðÇ ﴿٢٥﴾ Çáúãõáúßõ íóæúãóÆöÐò ÇáúÍóÞøõ áöáÑøóÍúãóÜٰäö ۚ æóßóÇäó íóæúãðÇ Úóáóì ÇáúßóÇÝöÑöíäó ÚóÓöíÑðÇ ﴿٢٦﴾ (ÇáÝÑÞÇä ¡ 25: 25-26). 

 

And (mention) the Day when the heaven will split open with clouds, and the angels will be sent down in successive descent. (25)

 

True sovereignty, that Day, is for the Beneficent. And it will be upon the disbelievers a difficult Day. (26)   (Al-Furqan, 25: 25-26). 

 

æóÇäÔóÞøóÊö ÇáÓøóãóÇÁõ Ýóåöíó íóæúãóÆöÐò æóÇåöíóÉñ ﴿١٦﴾ æóÇáúãóáóßõ Úóáóìٰ ÃóÑúÌóÇÆöåóÇ ۚ æóíóÍúãöáõ ÚóÑúÔó ÑóÈöøßó ÝóæúÞóåõãú íóæúãóÆöÐò ËóãóÇäöíóÉñ ﴿١٧﴾ (ÇáÍÇÞÉ ¡ 69: 16-17).  

 

And the heaven will split (open), for in that Day, it is infirm. (16) And the angels are at its edges. And above them, on that Day, there will eight (of the angels) carrying the Throne of your Lord (17) (Al-'Haqqa, 69: 16-17).  

 

ßóáøóÇ ÅöÐóÇ ÏõßøóÊö ÇáúÃóÑúÖõ ÏóßøðÇ ÏóßøðÇ  ﴿٢١﴾ æóÌóÇÁó ÑóÈøõßó æóÇáúãóáóßõ ÕóÝøðÇ ÕóÝøðÇ ﴿٢٢﴾ (ÇáÝÌÑ ¡ 89: 21-22).  

 

No! When the Earth has been pounded and pounded (21) And your Lord has come and the angels (standing before Him), row after row (22) (Al-Fajr, 89: 21-22).  

 

íóæúãó íóÞõæãõ ÇáÑøõæÍõ æóÇáúãóáóÇÆößóÉõ ÕóÝøðÇ ۖ áøóÇ íóÊóßóáøóãõæäó ÅöáøóÇ ãóäú ÃóÐöäó áóåõ ÇáÑøóÍúãóÜٰäõ æóÞóÇáó ÕóæóÇÈðÇ  (ÇáäÈà ¡ 78: 38). 

 

The Day that the Spirit (Jibril) and the angels will stand in rows, they will not speak except for one whom the Beneficent permits, and he will say what is correct (Al-Naba, 78: 38).

 

 

Conclusion

 

The belief in the existence of angels is part of the belief in God, as they are His honored worshippers, who are sent to perform various tasks on Earth, such as carrying His messages to humans, supporting believers, and taking people's souls when their records are completed. Angels are created of light. So, humans cannot see them in their natural state. That is why they appear to people as men.

 

During the Last Day, the angels and Jibril, peace be to him, ascend to their Lord. They will also be spread at the edges of split heavens. Eight of them will be carrying God's Throne. Then, they and Jibril will stand in rows before their Lord, silent, unless they are given permission, and they will only say what is correct

 

Angels also perform tasks related to the Last Day, including sorting out people, getting them ready for God's Judgment, then leading them either to Paradise or to the Hellfire. In Paradise, they will be welcoming believers and greeting them in their everlasting destination. 

 

 

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Notes:

 

[1] For more information, see Chapter 2, “Three levels of faith: Islam, Iman, and I’hsan.”

 

[2] See the Quran search function at www.tanzil.net.

 

See also the Holy Quran Index in Arabic by Muhammed Fuad Abdul Baqi. Cairo: Dar Al-Fikr. 1406 (1986). The Arabic Title of the index is: “Al-Mu’jam Al-Mufahras Li Alfadh Al-Quran Al-Kareem,” pages 674-676.

 

 

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About the Author and the Book:

 

* The author of this book has a Ph.D. in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology. He was born in Gaza, Palestine in 1369 Hijriya (1950) but he has been living in the United States since 1986.
 
The authentic Quran Arabic text is used as a reference for the translation of the meanings of the Quran verses, particularly from www.tanzil.net.

 

The works of the three renowned Islamic scholars Al-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi, and Ibn Katheer, have been used throughout the chapters of this book, as these are the most credited interpretations of the Holy Quran, for their use of 'Hadith, companions' interpretations, and their thorough knowledge of the Arabic language.

 

íõÑöíÏõæäó áöíõØúÝöÆõæÇ äõæÑó ÇááøóÜåö ÈöÃóÝúæóÇåöåöãú æóÇááøóÜåõ ãõÊöãøõ äõæÑöåö æóáóæú ßóÑöåó ÇáúßóÇÝöÑõæäó  (ÇáÕÝ ¡ 61: 8).  

 

They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it (Al-Saff, 61: 8).

 

 

 

Opinions expressed in various sections are the sole responsibility of their authors and they may not represent Al-Jazeerah's.

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