United States of Islam

by: Zeemad Khan

Belief in the Angels is one of the six pillars of Emaan (belief or faith) without which there is no Emaan. Whoever does not believe in any of these pillars is not a believer. These pillars are to believe in: Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day (The Day of Judgment), and that predestination, both good and bad, comes from Allah.

Allah has told us about them in many places in the Qur’an and through His Prophet, Muhammad (PBUH). The Arabic word ‘malak (angel)’ is derived from the root word alaka; ma’lakah and ma’lak mean message. From this root is derived the word ‘Malaa’ika (angels)’, because they are the Messengers of Allah. They are a part of the world of the Ghayb (Unseen) which we cannot comprehend but we must believe in it as it is one the basic beliefs in Islam. Unlike humans, who were created from clay, angels have been created from Noor (light)

‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Angels were created from light, jinn were created from smokeless fire, and Adam was created from that which has been described to you (in the Qur’an and Sunnah).” (Saheeh Muslim)

Angels are not divine, nor are they worthy of worship. Angels follow strictly the Commands of Allah and can never disobey Him. Therefore, unlike Christianity, there is no concept of fallen angels in Islam. Shaytan (Satan) was one of the Jinns, who were created from smokeless fire. They (angels) move at incredible speeds which cannot be measured in human standards. They do not get tired or bored of worshipping Allah nor do they eat or drink as Allah says in the Qur’an:

“Those who are before him are not scornful of worshipping Him, nor do they tire or get bored. They glorify Him night and day: they do not halt.” (21:19-20)

“Then he (Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH)) 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.” [51:26-28]

The Prophets and Messengers of Allah can see angels in their natural form. Imam Al-Bukhaari (may Allah be pleased with him) recorded that ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) saw the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) (PBUH) twice in his natural form. However, other people cannot see them unless they appear in a physical form. Allah has given them the ability to change their form. We can find few examples of this from the Qur’an and the ahadeeth. Angel Jibreel (PBUH) appeared in human form before Maryam (Mary) (may Allah be pleased with her), the mother of the Prophet Jesus (PBUH), to inform her that she would miraculously give birth to Jesus (PBUH). Allah says in the Qur’an:

Then We sent to her our Spirit (angel Jibreel) and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects” [19:17].

Angels also appeared in human form before Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) to give him glad tidings of a son and later they went to see Prophet Lut (PBUH) to destroy his people for their corruption and sins. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“And verily, there came our Messengers to Ibrahim with glad tidings” [11:69].

The Sahabah (Companions) saw Jibreel in his human form, as is reported from ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) in the two Saheehs (Bukhaari & Muslim):

“One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah , 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. Resting his knees against his and placing his hands on his thighs, he said: ‘O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.’. . .”(Sahih Muslim).

Angels are described to have wings. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“Praise be to Allah, Who created (out of nothing) the heavens and the earth, Who made the angels messengers with wings – two, or three, or four (pairs). He increases in Creation what He wills: for Allah has power over all things.” [35:1]

However, we should not try to guess the nature of their wings because there is no Islamic text, which describes it. In addition, there is no basis in Islam for the other corrupt notions about them.

There are many angels, but only Allah knows the exact number. During the Mi’raaj (Ascension) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) into the Heavens, he (PBUH) said:

“Then I was taken up to the Much-Frequented House (al-Bayt al-Ma’moor): every day seventy thousand angels visit it and leave, never returning to it again, another [group] coming after them.” (Sahih Al-Bukhaari).

Abdullah said: “The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Hell will be brought forth that day by means of seventy thousand ropes, each of which will be pulled by seventy thousand angels.’” (Sahih Muslim).

The main purpose of angels is to Glorify and Praise Allah; however, there are several different angels all with different tasks:

Jibreel – is the leader of the angels and he was the angel who was responsible for bringing the revelation of Allah to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and to all other Prophets (Peace be upon them). Allah says in the Qur’an:

“And it is surely the revelation of the Lord of the Worlds. The trusted Spirit (Jibreel) has brought it down to your heart, in order that you might be one of the warners, in clear Arabic speech.” [26:192-195]

“And we gave Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), clear proofs, and supported him with Ruh-al-Qudus (Holy Spirit i.e. Jibreel).” [2:253]

Mika’eel – is responsible for distribution of provisions (vegetation, rain, etc.).

Maalik al-Maut – known as the “Angel of Death” and is responsible for removing our souls and responsible for the end of our life. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“Say: The Angel of Death, who is set over you, will take your souls, then you shall be brought to your Lord” [32:11].

There are other angels who accompany Maalik al-Maut who torture the wrongdoers as Allah says:

“If only you could see, when the angels take the souls of those who disbelieve, the angels are beating their faces and their backs.” [8:50]
Isra’feel – is the angel who will blow the trumpet at the end of time and the beginning of the Day of Judgment.

The Throne Bearers – The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “I have been granted permission to speak to one of the angels of Allah, one of the bearers of the Throne. The distance from his earlobes to his shoulders is the distance of a seven hundred year journey.” (Sunan Abu Dawood, 3/895, no. 9353)

Munkar and Nakeer – They are the two angels in charge of questioning people in their graves about their faith.

Haroot & Maroot – The two angels sent to the people of Babylon.

Angel of Mountains – Allah sent the Angel of the Mountains to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) when he was depressed at the rejection of Ibn ‘Abd Yaalayl ibn ‘Abd al-Kalaal and his people, so the Angel of the Mountains called him and greeted him, then said: ‘O Muhammad, tell me what you want me to do. If you want, I can crush them between two mountains.’” The Prophet (PBUH) in his mercy 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)

Recorder Angels – Each person is appointed two Angels known as the “Recorder Angels”. They are responsible for writing every single action we carry out, each word we utter and how we behave. The Angel on the right side records all of our good deeds and the Angel on our left records our bad deeds. Allah refers to them as “Kiraaman Kaatibeen (honorable scribes)” in the Qur’an:

“And indeed, there are over you scribes, generous and recording. They know what you do.” [82:10-12]

“He utters not any word except that there is with him an observer, ready.” [50:18]

Other Angels – Ridhwan is the Keeper of Paradise and Maalik is the Keeper of Hell. Hell has nineteen angels who watch over it as Allah says:

“Over it (Hell) are nineteen (angels)” [74:30].

Also Allah says:

“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.” [66:6]

There are angels who will welcome the believers into Paradise and greet them with peace:

“And angels shall enter unto them from every gate saying: “Salaamun ‘alaikum” (peace be upon you) for that you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home.” [13:23-24].