Introduction
Belief in angels is the second pillar of faith. It is a fundamental aspect of faith that signifies acknowledgment of the existence of unseen beings created by Allah SWT with unique attributes.
The existence of angels is not foreign to the tradition of divine (heavenly) religions—Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. They are also mentioned in their scriptures. We will delve into this further in the following discussion.
In this article, we will explore the concept of belief in angels based on evidence from the Quran and Hadith.
Introduction to Angels
Angels are unseen beings created by Allah SWT from light. They do not possess free will like humans, and their sole duty is to carry out Allah’s commands without any disobedience.
In Surah At-Tahrim, Allah SWT states:
Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allāh in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.
Surah At-Tahrim verse 6
Belief in angels encompasses faith in their existence, their attributes, the duties they perform, and the names of the angels mentioned in Islamic texts.
Evidence for Belief in Angels
1. Evidence from the Quran
Allah SWT emphasizes the obligation to believe in angels in numerous verses of the Quran. Among them:
The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allāh and His angels and His books and His messengers,
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:285
This verse clearly shows that belief in angels is a part of the pillars of faith that cannot be neglected.
2. Evidence from Hadith
The Prophet Muhammad SAW emphasized the importance of believing in angels in a well-known hadith. This hadith was mentioned when Jibril came to the Prophet and asked him several questions in the presence of his companions. When asked about faith, the Prophet replied:
“Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in predestination, its good and its bad.”
Hadith narrated by Muslim [1]
This hadith explains the six pillars of faith that form the foundation of a Muslim’s creed, including belief in angels.
Names and Duties of Angels
As mentioned above, I will also list angels from other divine scriptures. However, I will only mention their names without discussing their roles as described in the Bible. This is merely to provide a perspective that the Bible was revealed by Allah. However, it must always be remembered that the Bible available today is a version that has deviated far from its original revelation.
Among the angels mentioned in the Quran and hadith along with their duties are as follows:
- Jibril | Gabriel, Gavri’el:
– Delivering revelation to the prophets and messengers. - Mikail | Mikhael, Mikha’el:
– Managing sustenance and Allah’s mercy. - Israfil | Not clear in the Bible:
– Blowing the trumpet on the Day of Judgment. - Izrail | Not clear in the Bible:
– Taking the souls of humans. - Raqib and Atid | No such concept in the Bible:
– Recording good and bad deeds of humans. - Munkar and Nakir | No such concept in the Bible:
– Questioning humans in the grave.
Attributes of Angels
Angels possess unique attributes that distinguish them from other beings:
- Lack of free will:
– They obey all commands of Allah without any disobedience.
– However, they can still ask Allah for clarification. For instance, angels questioned Allah about His decision to create a vicegerent on Earth (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:30). - Do not eat or drink:
– Angels have no biological needs like humans. - Never tire:
– They constantly worship Allah SWT without ceasing. - Beautiful form:
– Angels possess beautiful and captivating appearances, but they can also manifest in human form with Allah’s permission.
The Importance of Belief in Angels
- Strengthening Faith:
- Belief in angels helps a Muslim understand Allah’s greatness and power in managing the universe through His creations.
- Belief in the perfection of the Quran:
- Angels are creations of Allah with very high integrity. Thus, the revelation delivered to the Prophet is truthful.
- Motivation to Do Righteous Deeds:
- Awareness that deeds are recorded by angels motivates one to always do good and avoid wrongdoing.
- Drawing Closer to Allah:
- Understanding the tasks of angels, who are always obedient to Allah, encourages Muslims to emulate such obedience.
The Status of Humans Being Higher Than Angels
And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.
Surah Al-Isra 17:70
In Islam, humans have the potential to attain a status higher than that of angels, but this depends on the extent to which they fulfill their duties as servants of Allah SWT through faith, piety, and righteous deeds. This is because humans have been granted abilities not given to angels, including intellect, free will, and the ability to choose between good and evil.
Evidence and Explanation
In addition to the above verse from Allah, here are some arguments that support the view that humans can surpass angels in status:
- Humans Were Given a Special Position in Creation
When Allah created Prophet Adam AS, He commanded the angels to prostrate as a sign of respect:
And [mention] when We said to the angels, “Prostrate before Adam”; so they prostrated, except for Iblees.
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:34
This command to prostrate demonstrates that humans, in a state of obedience to Allah, possess an advantage that surpasses the angels.
2. The Ability to Choose Good Elevates the Status of Humans
Angels were created without free will and are only capable of doing what Allah commands as mentioned in in Surah At-Tahrim verse 6 above.
In contrast, humans are tested with free will. When humans choose to obey Allah despite facing temptations and weaknesses, they attain a higher status because they have made a conscious and voluntary choice.
3. Humans as Beings Who Are Tested
Allah SWT has made this world a testing ground for humans:
[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving –
Surah Al-Mulk 67:2
When humans pass this test with righteous deeds, they are given a great reward in the Hereafter, which even the angels do not possess.
Summary
Belief in angels is an essential aspect of Islamic faith that shapes a Muslim’s understanding of the unseen world. It nurtures piety and a sense of responsibility in every action. May we all remain steadfast in our belief in angels and appreciate their roles in our lives.
Wallahu a’lam bissawab (And Allah knows best).
Fundamentals of Believe | Pillars of Faith | Pillars of Islam | Al-Quran | History
Citations:
- Sahih Al-Bukhari 50 – Belief – كتاب الإيمان – Sunnah.com – Sayings and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم). (n.d.). https://sunnah.com/bukhari%3A50
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