Belief in the angels of Allah in Islam

There are innumerable honorable servants of Allah in the heavens and the earth who do not disobey Allah’s command for one moment, and they are always steadfast in obedience to Him. Whatever Allah Ta’ala tells them to do, they do it perfectly. They will not disobey Allah even for a second till the Day of Resurrection. They are the angels of Allah. Verily, Allah Ta’ala has made it obligatory on every Muslim to believe in the angels. Undoubtedly, belief in the angels of Allah is an important pillar of Iman (faith). If a Muslim does not believe in the angels, he will become a disbeliever. Of course, believing in them is also considered a matter of believing in Allah. 

So I will mention to you about the belief in the angels of Allah and some things related to it which will help you to know a lot. And of course, I will present strong evidence in favor of each subject which will increase your reliance on the information. So let’s first know what means the belief in the angels of Allah.

What is the belief in the angels of Allah?

There are four main points in the belief in the angels of Allah. Namely: (1) Believing in the existence of the angels. (2) To believe in all of the angels whose names have been mentioned and whose names have not been known. (3) Believing in what Allah Ta’ala and His Messenger (peace be upon him) have said about their qualities and shapes. (4) Believing in their duties which they do by command of Allah. Such as Reciting tasbih and worshiping Allah day and night without any annoyance or neglect.

And regarding the identity of the angels, Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (Rh) has mentioned in his book that

The majority of Muslim theologians said the angels are subtle bodies that have been given the power to take on different shapes and sizes. And their abode is the heavens. [Fath al-Bari, volume 6, page 306]

What did Allah Ta’ala say about the belief in the angels of Allah?

Allah Ta’ala said: “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 and His angels and His books and His messengers.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, some parts of verse 285]

“Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but (true) righteousness is (in) one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, some parts of verse 177]

“O you who have believed, believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Book that He sent down upon His Messenger and the Scripture which He sent down before. And whoever disbelieves in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day has certainly gone far astray.” [Surah An-Nisa, verse 136]

“Allah chooses from the angels messengers and from the people (messengers). Indeed, Allah is Hearing and Seeing.” [Surah Al-Hajj, verse 75]

“The day they (the criminals) see the angels – no good tidings will there be that day for the criminals, and (the angels) will say, All kinds of glad tidings are forbidden to you.” [Surah Al-Furqan, verse 22]

The importance of the belief in the angels of Allah

After the belief in Allah, one of the most significant and important pillars in all the pillars of Iman (faith) is the belief in the angels of Allah. If a Muslim does not believe in the angels of Allah, and he knowingly denies one of the angels of Allah or makes fun of an angel, his Iman (faith) will be ruined. And verily, whoever harbors animosity towards one of the angels of Allah, then he is like those who have animosity towards Allah. In this regard, Allah Ta’ala said,

“Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and His messengers and Gabriel and Michael – then indeed, Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 98]

Allah Ta’ala has mentioned angels repeatedly along with His own saying in different places in the Qur’an which strengthens the matter of the belief in angels. Some of Allah’s sayings are:

“Do they await but that Allah should come to them in covers of clouds and the angels (as well) and the matter is (then) decided? And to Allah (all) matters are returned.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 210]

Allah Ta’ala also said: “Allah witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and (so do) the angels and those of knowledge – (that He is) maintaining (creation) in justice. There is no (worthy of worship) deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” [Surah Ali ‘Imran, verse 18]

Allah Ta’ala further said:

“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 (as well). And sufficient is Allah as Witness.” [Surah An-Nisa, verse 166]

There are many more verses that make clear the dignity of angels and the belief in angels. If one does not acknowledge the existence of angels and doubts their qualities and duties, then he will not be considered a believer. Surely, Allah Ta’ala has sent down many verses of the Quran about the angels. So whoever does not believe in the angels but denies them, then he is like those who deny the verses of Allah. And whoever denies the verses of Allah, indeed will be the loser. Verily, Allah Ta’ala said:

“And be not one of those who deny the Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, for then you shall be one of the losers.” [Surah Yunus, verse 95]

The existence of the angels

Angels are a kind of Allah’s creation. Allah Ta’ala created them before creating Mankind and Jinn. He created them from light. In this regard, Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “The Angels were created from light, the Jinns were created from the spark of fire, and Adam was created as he has been defined (in the Quran) for you (i.e., he is created from sounding clay like the clay of pottery).” [Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2996]

The angels are the creation of Allah such as whose no human being can see in their real shapes and sizes. Allah Ta’ala has given them the power to take different shapes and sizes. However, those whom Allah Ta’ala gives the power to see only can see them in their real shapes and sizes. In this regard, Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: 

“Indeed I see what you do not see, and I hear what you do not hear. The Heavens moan, and they have the right to moan. There is no spot, the size of four fingers in them, except that there is an angel placing his forehead in it, prostrating to Allah. By Allah! If you knew what I know, then you would laugh a little and you would cry much. And you would not taste the pleasures of your women in the beds, and you would go out beseeching Allah.” [Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2312]

The Angels are the honored servants of Allah. Their number is innumerable. No one knows their true number except Allah Ta’ala. Verily Allah Ta’ala said: “And none can know the hosts of your Lord but He. And this (Hell) is nothing else than a (warning) reminder to mankind.” [Surah Al-Muddaththir, some parts of verse 31]

Belief in all of the angels of Allah

Allah Ta’ala has created innumerable angels. The names of some of the angels are known with certainty. And there are many angels whose names are not known. Every Muslim must believe in all the angels. Verily, it is one kind of Kufr to praise only those angels who bring good things and to deny and blame those who bring the punishment of Allah. Because all the angels do whatever they do only because of Allah’s command. Every angel, known and unknown, obeys the command of Allah properly and correctly.

The names of some famous angels are

Gabriel (AS), Mika’il (AS), and Israfil (AS). In this regard, Aishah (RA) said: When Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) got up at night he would commence his prayer with these words: “O Allah, Lord of Gabriel, and Mika’il, and Israfil, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, Who knowest the unseen and the seen; Thou decidest amongst Thy servants concerning their differences. Guide me with Thy permission in the divergent views (which the people) hold about Truth, for it is Thou Who guidest whom Thou wilt to the Straight Path.” [Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 770]

The names of the two angels engaged in very important work are Malik (AS) and Malak Al-Maut (AS). Verily, Malik (AS) is the name of one of the Nineteen angels engaged in Hell. Allah Ta’ala has mentioned his name in the Quran and said: “And they (disbeliever) will call, O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us! He will say, Indeed, you will remain (in the punishment forever).” [Surah Az-Zukhruf, verse 77]

The name of the chief angel who captures the soul is Malak Al-Maut (The angel of death). And Allah Ta’ala said about him: “Say, The angel of death, who is set over you, will take your souls. Then you shall be brought to your Lord.” [Surah As-Sajdah, verse 11]

Qualities and shapes of the Angels

Allah Ta’ala has made them winged. Some of them have two wings, some have three, some have four, and some have many wings. In this regard, Allah Ta’ala said: “(All) praise is (due) to Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, (who) made the angels messengers having wings, two or three or four. He increases in creation what He wills. Indeed, Allah is the Most Capable of all things.” [Surah Fatir, verse 1]

Zir bin Hubaish (Rh) said, “Ibn Mas’ud (RA) informed us that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had seen Gabriel (AS) having six hundred wings.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 3232]

The angels who are near Allah Ta’ala, their size is so big that it is beyond human imagination. In this regard, Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “I have been permitted to tell about one of Allah’s angels who bear the throne that the distance between the lobe of his ear and his shoulder is a journey of seven hundred years.” [Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith No. 4727]

They are neither men nor women.

Only Allah knows well their true condition. That is why Allah Ta’ala said: “So inquire of them, (O Muḥammad), Does your Lord have daughters while they have sons? Or did I create the angels as females while they were witnesses? Unquestionably,  it is one of their fabrications when they say, ‘Allah has begotten,’ and indeed, they are liars. Has He chosen daughters over sons? What is (wrong) with you? How do you judge? Then will you not be reminded? Or do you have any clear proof? Then bring your scripture, if you are truthful.” [Surah As-Saffat, verses 149 – 157]

They do not eat, they do not drink, they do not marry, and they do not wish to do any evil. In this regard, Shaykh ‘Umar bin Sulayman al-Ashqar has mentioned in his book that

And Imam Al-Suyuti (Rh) narrated from Al-Fakhr Ar-Razi (Rh): Surely the scholars have agreed that the angels do not eat, they do not drink, and they do not get married. [Alem Al-Malaikah Al-Abrar, page 15]

They are engrossed in obeying Allah’s commands and worshipping Him 24 hours, and they do not get tired or bored while worshiping Allah. In this regard, Allah Ta’ala said: “But if they are arrogant – then those who are near your Lord (i.e., the angels) exalt Him by night and by day, and they do not become weary.” [Surah Fussilat, verse 38]

Allah Ta’ala further said: “To Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those near Him (i.e., the angels) are not prevented by arrogance from His worship, nor do they tire. They exalt (Him) night and day (and) do not slacken (in worshipping Him).” [Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 19 – 20]

What are the duties of the angels?

They are always obedient to Allah. They never disobeyed Allah, never sinned. And they will never disobey him, they will never sin. Verily, they do what Allah Ta’ala tells them to do, and they will continue to obey Allah forever. In this regard, Allah Ta’ala said: “And they (the polytheists) say, ‘The Most Merciful has taken a son.’ Exalted is He! Rather, they (i.e., the angels) are honored servants. They cannot precede Him in word, and they act by His command.” [Surah Al-Anbiya, verses 26 – 27]

Allah Ta’ala has engaged different angels in different duties. So I am presenting to you the duties of some angels.

Conveying the revelation

Verily, Allah Ta’ala entrusted Gabriel (AS), and many angels with him responsible for conveying the revelation to the Prophets and Messengers on His behalf. Allah Ta’ala said: “He (Allah) sends down the angels, with the inspiration (i.e., revelation) of His command, upon whom He wills of His servants, (telling them), Warn that there is no deity except Me; so fear Me.” [Surah An-Nahl, verse 2]

Allah Ta’ala further said: “Say, (O Muḥammad), The Pure Spirit (i.e., Gabriel) has brought it down from your Lord in truth to make firm those who believe and as guidance and good tidings to the Muslims.” [Surah An-Nahl, verse 102]

Provision-related tasks

Allah Ta’ala has entrusted Mika’il (AS) with the task of sending down rain and provision-related tasks for the servants. In this regard, Imam Jalaluddin Suyuti (Rh) has mentioned in his Tafsir Book that,

“And Mika’il (AS); He is Responsible for every drop of (rain) that falls (from the sky to the ground), every leaf that rises, and every leaf that falls.” [Tafsir Al-Durr al-Mansur, volume 1, page 230]

To blow in the Horn

Allah Ta’ala has appointed Israfil (AS) to destroy and revive everything in the heavens and the earth by blowing the Horn. In this regard, Allah Ta’ala said: “And the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.” [Surah Az-Zumar, verse 68]

Capturing the soul

Allah Ta’ala has appointed Malakul Maut (AS) and many of his associate angels to capture the soul of everyone at an appointed time. Verily, Allah Ta’la said: “And He (Allah) is the subjugator over His servants, and He sends over you guardian angels until, when death comes to one of you, My messengers (i.e., the angels of death) take him, and they do not fail (in their duties). Then they (i.e., Allah’s servants) are returned to Allah, their true Lord. Unquestionably, His is the judgment, and He is the swiftest of accountants.” [Surah Al-An‘am, verses 61 – 62]

Protecting the people

Allah Ta’ala has appointed many angels to protect the people from harm, who come to the people day and night continuously. In this regard, Allah Ta’ala said: “For him (i.e., humankind) are successive (angels) before and behind him who protect him by the decree of Allah. Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves. And when Allah intends for a people ill, there is no repelling it. And there is not for them besides Him any patron.” [Surah Ar-Ra’d, verse 11]

Recording all deeds

Allah Ta’ala has appointed two angels on each person’s two shoulders to record the good deeds and bad deeds of human beings. Verily, Allah Ta’ala said: “And I have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and I am closer to him than (his) jugular vein. When the two receivers (i.e., recording angels) receive, seated on the right and on the left. He (i.e., man) utters no word except that with him is an observer prepared (to record).” [Surah Qaf, verses 16 – 18]

Testing everyone in the grave

Allah Ta’ala has appointed two angels to test the believer and the disbeliever in the grave. Of course, Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said:

“When the dead body – or he (peace be upon him) said when one of you – is buried, two angels, black and blue-eyed, come to him. One of them is called Al-Munkar, and the other An-Nakir. They (AS) will say: ‘What did you use to say about this man?’ So he says what he was saying (before death) ‘He is Allah’s slave and His Messenger. I testify that there is no (worthy of worship) deity except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger.’

So they (AS) will say: ‘We knew that you would say this.’ Then his grave is expanded to seventy by seventy cubits, then it is illuminated for him. Then it is said to him: ‘Sleep.’ So he said: ‘Can I return to my family to inform them?’ They (AS) will say: ‘Sleep as a newlywed, whom none awakens but the dearest of his family.’ Until Allah resurrects him from his resting place. If he was a hypocrite he would say: ‘I heard people saying something, so I said the same; I do not know.’ So they (AS) will say: ‘We knew you would say that.’ So the earth would be told: ‘Constrict him.’ So it will constrict around him, then his ribs will squeeze together. He continues being punished like that until Allah resurrects him from his bed.” [Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 1071]

Creating shape and writing prophecy

When semen is placed in the mother’s womb, Allah Ta’ala has appointed an angel to create the human shape and to write prophecy about it. In this regard, Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: 

“When forty-two nights pass after the semen gets into the womb, Allah sends the angel and gives him shape. Then he creates his sense of hearing, sense of sight, his skin, his flesh, his bones, and then says: My Lord, would he be male or female? And your Lord decides as He desires and the angel then puts down that also and then says: My Lord, what about his age? And your Lord decides as He likes it and the angel puts it down. Then he says: My Lord, what about his livelihood? And then the Lord decides as He likes and the angel writes it down, and then the angel gets out with his scroll of destiny in his hand and nothing is added to it and nothing is subtracted from it.” [Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2645 a]

Carrying the throne of Allah

Allah Ta’ala has appointed some angels to carry His Throne. Four angels are carrying the throne of Allah right now, and on the Day of Resurrection, eight angels will carry the Throne. In this regard, Allah Ta’ala said: “And the angels will be at its (i.e., the heavens) edges. And there will bear the Throne of your Lord above them, that Day, eight (of them).” [Al-Haqqah, verse 17]

And in the interpretation of this verse, Imam Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (Rh) has mentioned many hadiths in his Tafsir book. One of them is,

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “Today four angels are carrying the Throne and on the Day of Resurrection eight angels will carry it.” [Tafsir al-Tabari, volume 23, page 583]

To follow the assemblies of Dhikr

Allah Ta’ala has created many angels who roam the earth. When they get a gathering to remember Allah, they join there. In this regard, Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said:

“Allah has wanderer angels, who have no other work (to attend to but) to follow the assemblies of Dhikr, and when they find such assemblies in which there is Dhikr (of Allah) they sit in them and some of them surround the others with their wings till the space between them and the sky of the world is fully covered, and when they disperse (after the assembly of Dhikr is finished) they go upward to the Heaven.” [Sahih Muslim, Some parts of hadith No. 2689]

Managing mountain-related work

Allah Ta’ala has appointed an angel to manage all the work related to the mountains. It is said of him that,

Narrated Aisha (RA), that she asked the Prophet (peace be upon him), ‘Have you encountered a day harder than the day of the battle of Uhud?’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, “Your tribes have troubled me a lot, and the worse trouble was the trouble on the day of ‘Aqaba when I presented myself to Ibn Abd-Yalail bin Abd-Kulal and he did not respond to my demand. So I departed, overwhelmed with excessive sorrow, and proceeded on, and could not relax till I found myself at Qarnath-Tha’alib where I lifted my head towards the sky to see a cloud shading me (unexpectedly).

I looked up and saw Gabriel (AS) in it. He called me saying, ‘Allah has heard your people’s saying to you, and what they have replied back to you, Allah has sent the Angel of the Mountains to you so that you may order him to do whatever you wish to these people.’ The Angel of the Mountains called and greeted me, and then said, ‘O Muhammad! Order what you wish. If you want, I will let Al-Akh-Shabain (i.e. two mountains) fall on them.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, No but I hope that Allah will let them beget children who will worship Allah Alone, and will worship None besides Him.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 3231]

Visiting Al-Bayt Al-Ma’mur

Allah Ta’ala has created innumerable angels to visit Al-Bayt Al-Ma’mur. As Allah Ta’ala has established the Ka’bah for the people of the earth to circumambulate it and to turn their face toward it in Salah; similarly Allah has established Al-Bayt Al-Ma’mur for the angels to circumambulate it and to turn their face toward it in prayer. And of course, The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“(On the night of Mi’raj) Then I was taken up to the Oft-Frequented House (Al-Bayt al-Ma’mur) and I asked Jibra’il (AS) about it, and he said: This is Al-Bayt al-Ma’mur in which seventy thousand angels pray every day, and when they leave it they never come back. And it is their last visit on them.” [Sunan an-Nasa’i, some parts of Hadith No. 448]

Lining up all time for worshipping Allah

Allah Ta’ala has created innumerable angels who are always in line up to worship Allah, to glorify Him. Many of them are standing, many are in the state of bowing, and many are in the state of prostration. And Allah Ta’ala said about them:

“(The angels say) There is not among us any except that he has a known position. And indeed, we are those who line up (to worshipping Him). And indeed, we are those who exalt Allah.” [Surah As-Saffat, verses 164 – 166]

In this regard, Imam Ibn Kathir (Rh) has mentioned a hadith in his Tafsir book that:-

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Surely Allah has angels whose flesh of shoulders tremble with fear of Allah. The tears that flow from the eyes of the angel among them, fell on another angel who is in the prayer. Among them are angels who are in a state of prostration since the creation of the heavens and the earth; they did not raise their heads from prostration. And they will not raise their heads till the Day of Resurrection.

And among them are angels who are in a state of bowing since the creation of the heavens and the earth; they did not raise their heads from bowing. And they will not raise their heads till the Day of Resurrection. So when they would raise their heads, they look at the face of Allah and say, (O Allah,) Exalted are You. We could not worship you by fulfilling your right of worship.” [Tafsir Ibn Kathir, volume 8, page 272]

Effecting in good deeds

Allah Ta’ala has appointed an angel for every human being who inspires him in good deeds. In this regard, Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said:

“Indeed Satan has an effect on the son of Adam, and the angel also has an effect. As for Satan, it is by threatening evil repercussions and rejecting the truth. As for the effect of the angel, it is by his promise of a good end and belief in the truth. Whoever finds that, let him know that it is from Allah, and let him praise Allah for it. Whoever finds the other, then let him seek refuge with Allah from Satan. Then He (peace be upon him) recited: Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit obscenity.” [Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2988]

Bringing Allah’s mercy

Allah Ta’ala has created many angels who enter people’s houses by bringing Allah’s mercy. But they do not enter the house in which there is a picture of the animal and human and the house where the dog lives. Of course, Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or there are pictures.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 5949]

Keeping of Paradise

Allah Ta’ala has appointed many angels as keepers of Paradise. They too are always obedient to the command of Allah. And Allah Ta’ala said about them: “And those who feared their Lord will be driven to Paradise in groups until, when they reach it while its gates have been opened and its keepers say, Peace be upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein.” [Surah Az-Zumar, verse 73]

Punishment

Allah Ta’ala has appointed innumerable harsh and severe angels to punish the sinners in Hell. And nineteen of them are chief angels. In this regard, Allah Ta’ala said: “And do you know what is Saqar? It lets nothing remain and leaves nothing (unburned). Burning and blackening the skins. Over it appointed are nineteen (angels).” [Surah Al-Muddaththir, verses 27 – 30] 

Our Dua to Allah Ta’ala

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the grace to always obey Him and save us from the punishment of Him in this world and in the Hereafter. Ameen.