Belief in Angels

Belief in the angels is one of the six articles of faith. A person's faith cannot be complete unless they believe in angels and other pillars or articles of faith/belief. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an (interpretation of the meaning): "The Messenger [Muhammad] believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and [so do] the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers" [2:285].

Angels' Nature

In the west, common folks have depicted angels as a small children with wings or illusions or beautiful females with wings. Even the Arab pagans, at the time of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), called angles the daughters of Allah despite the fact they hated female off springs and they used to bury them alive. Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning): "Or has He (Allah) taken, out of that which He created, daughters, and honoured you with sons ? And, when one of them receives tidings of that which He sets up as a likeness to Allah Most Gracious (i.e. of a girl) his face becomes dark and gloomy and fill of grief....And they consider the angels, who are worshippers of Allah, to be females. Did they witness their creation ? Their testimony shall be recorded, and they will be asked." [43:16-19]

In Islam, Muslims believe that angels are the special creation of Allah (SWT). Angels are a part of the world of the ghayb (Unseen) which we cannot comprehend. Unlike humans, who were created from clay, angels have been created from Nur (light): 'Aishah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) 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)" (Sahih Muslim). Angels are not divine, neither they control any part of the universe and nor they are worthy of worship. Angels do not have free choice or desires and they always follow the commands of Allah and can never disobey Him. Therefore, unlike Christianity, there is no concept of fallen angels in Islam. Shatan (Satan) was one of the jins, who were created from fire. Angels do not eat or dirnk either. Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning):

"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." (Qur’an 21:19-20)

"Then he (Prophet Ibrahim (AS)) turned quickly to his household, brought out a fatted calf, and placed it before them. He (SWT) 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]

Prophets (AS) can see angels in their natural form. Imam Al-Bukhari (RA) recorded that 'Aishah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) saw the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) (AS) twice in his natural form. However, other people cannot see them unless they appear in a physical form. Allah (SWT) has given them the ability to change their form. We can find few examples of this from the Qur'an and the ahadith. Angel Jibreel (AS) appeared in human form before Maryam (Marry) (AS), the mother of Prophet Isa (AS), to inform her that she would miraculously give birth to Isa (AS). Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning): 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 (AS) to give him glad tidings of a son and later they went to see Prophet Lut (AS) to destroy his people, who were sinning. Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning): "And verily, there came our Messengers to Ibrahim with glad tidings" [11:69]. Lastly, Jibreel (AS) used to come to the Prophet (SAW) in different forms: sometimes he would appear in the form of Dihyah al-Kalbi, a Sahabi who was very handsome, and sometimes in the form of a Bedouin. The Sahabah (RA) saw him in his human form, as is reported from 'Umar ibn al-Khattaab (RA) in the two Sahihs: "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 (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning): "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) adds to Creation as He pleases: 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.

Number of Angels

There are millions of angels but only Allah (SWT) knows exact number. The Prophet 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." (Sahih Al-Bukhaari). 'Abdullaah 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).

Names of some Angels and their tasks

The main purpose of angels is to Glorify and Praise Allah (SWT), however, there are several different angels all with a different tasks.

Jibrail - is the leader of the angels and he was the angel who was responsible for bringing the revelation of Allah to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and to all other Prophets (Peace be upon them). Some Quranic verses referring to Jibrail (interpretation of the meaning):

"And it is surely the revelation of the Lord of the worlds. The trusted Spirit 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, son of Maryam, clear proofs, and supported him with Ruh-al-Qudus (holy spirit ie. Jibreel)." [2:253]

Izra'il - known as the "Angel of Death" and is responsible for removing our souls and responsible for the end of our life. Allah (SWT) 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" [32:11]. There are other angels who accompany Izra'il who torture the wrongdoers (interpretation of the meaning): "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]

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

Isra'fil - is the angel who will blow the trumpet at the end of time and the beginning of the Day of Judgement.

Mika'il - is responsible for raining.

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 right records our bad deeds. Allah refers to them as "scribes" in the Holy Quran (interpretation of the meaning):

"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 - Ridwan and Malik watche over Heaven and Hell. Ridwan is the keeper of heaven and Malik is the keeper of Hell. Hell has nineteen angels who watch over it. Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning): "Over it (Hell) are nineteen (angels)" [74:30]. There are angels who will welcome the believers into heaven and greet them with peace (interpretation of the meaning): "And angels shall enter unto them from every gate saying: "Asalaam alaykum" (peace be upon you for that you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home." [13:23-24].

wallahu a'lam (and Allah knows best)