Malaika or Angels (Arabic: ملائكة) are mentioned many times in the Qur’an and Hadith. Islam is clear on the nature of angels in that they are messengers of God. They have no free will, and can do only what Allah swt orders them to do and don’t sin. An example of a task they carry out is that of testing of individuals by granting them abundant wealth and curing their illness. Believing in angels is one of the six Articles of Faith in Islam i.e., to believe, although we don’t usually see them, that angels exist and they are one of the kinds of creations Allah created. Allah created the angels from light. They are neither males nor females. RasulAllah sws said, ”Any servant that prays for me an angel will pray for them.” [Sahih Al-Jami] Angels are created from light. The Arabic word for angel is malak. According to its root form, malak means “messenger,” “deputy,” “envoy,” “superintendent,” and “powerful one.” The root meaning also implies descent from a high place. Having refined or subtle bodies of light, angels move very rapidly and permeate or penetrate all realms of existence. The Messenger of Allah 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) All praise belongs to Allah the Maker of the heavens and the earth, Who employs the angels as messengers, having wings, two, three and four. Surah Al-Fatir (Ch. 35, v. 2) There are various classes of angels. One class is engaged in constant worship; another worships by working. Since there is one angel to represent every kind of creature and present its service and worship to the Divine Court, the Prophet’s, upon him be peace and blessings, description of the angels is entirely reasonable and true. According to him, there are angels with 40,000 heads, each with 40,000 mouths, and 40,000 praises sung by 40,000 tongues in each mouth. This Prophetic tradition means that angels serve universal purposes, and that some natural creatures worship God with 40,000 heads in 40,000 ways. The angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. [ Quran 70:04] They are also free of such negative qualities as envy, rancor, and enmity, and from all lusts and animal appetites found in human beings and jinn. They have no gender, do not eat or drink, and do not feel hunger, thirst, or tiredness. Although they receive no wages for their worship, they derive special pleasure from carrying out God’s commands, delight in being near to Him, and receive some sort of spiritual pleasure from their worship. Praise, worship, recitation of God’s Names, and glorification of Him are their nourishment, as are light and sweet fragrances. “I have been given permission to speak about one of the angels of God who carry the Throne. The distance between his ear-lobes and his shoulders is equivalent to a seven-hundred-year journey.” (Abu Daud) “They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever slacken.” (Quran 21:20) Some of the angels recognized in the Quran and Ahadith are:- Hamalat al-‘Arsh, Those who carry the ’Arsh (throne of Allah) Jibraaiyl/Jibril (Judeo-Christian Gabriel), the angel of revelation, who is said to be the greatest of the angels. Jibraaiyl is the archangel responsible for revealing the Qur’an to Muhammad, verse by verse. Jibrayil is known as the angel who communicates with (all of) the prophets. Israfil/Israafiyl (Judeo-Christian Raphael), who will blow the trumpet twice at the end of time. Israafiyl is the angel responsible for signaling the coming of Qiyamah (Judgment Day) by blowing a horn and sending out a Blast of Truth. The blowing of the trumpet is described in many places in Qur’an. It is said that the first blow will destroy everything, while the second blow will bring all human beings back to life again to meet their Lord. Mikaaiyl (Judeo-Christian Michael), who provides nourishments for bodies and souls. Mikaaiyl is often depicted as the Archangel of mercy who is responsible for bringing rain and thunder to Earth. He is also responsible for the rewards doled out to good persons in this life. Azrael/Azraaiyl a.k.a Malak al-maut (Judeo-Christian Azrael), the angel of death. He is responsible for parting the soul from the body. He is only referred as malak al-maut, meaning angel of death, in the Qur’an. The angels of the Seven Heavens. Hafaza (The Guardian Angel) Kiraman Katibin (Honourable Recorders), two of whom are charged with each human being; one writes down good deeds, and the other writes down evil deeds. Mu’aqqibat (The Protectors) who keep people from death until its decreed time and who bring down blessings. Munkar and Nakir, who question the dead in their graves. Darda’il (The Journeyers), who travel in the earth searching out assemblies where people remember Allah’s name. The angels charged with each existent thing, maintaining order and warding off corruption. Their number is known only to Allah. Maalik is the chief of the angels who govern Jahannam. Zabaniah are 19 angels who torment sinful persons in hell Ridwan is the angel who is responsible for Jannah. ”The Messenger of Allah 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) *Note- Iblees was not a “fallen angel”. Ibless is a jinn as he was made out of smokeless fire and had a free will. Jinns are a completely different species of creation.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 22:11:11 +0000
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