The angels are the servants of Allah........they do not have free will as humans (and jinn) do. They do not know how to disobey. Angels are allocated many, many different tasks, and those who do not cary out specific roles spend their entire time prostrating in worship and praising Allah with the most beautiful of praises.
Some of The Names of the Angels
JIBREEL (alayhi salam)
Jibreel (alayhi salam) is a most noble angel who has the most noble task of relaying Allah’s revelations to the Messengers
In Surah Al Baqarah (2:97-98), Allah has stated:
قُلْ مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّجِبْرِيلَ فَإِنَّهُ نَزَّلَهُ عَلَى قَلْبِكَ بِإِذْنِ اللّهِ مُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَى لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Say (O Muhammad): “Whoever is an enemy of Jibreel (let him die in fury), for indeed he has brought it (this Qur’an) down to your heart by Allah’s Permission confirming that which came before it (Taurat, Injeel) and guidance and glad tidings for the believers.
مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّلّهِ وَمَلآئِكَتِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَجِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَالَ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ عَدُوٌّ لِّلْكَافِرِينَ
“Whoever is an enemy to Allah, His Angels, His Messengers, Jibreel and Mika’il, then verily, Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers.
Jibreel (alayhi salam) has been referred to in Qur’an by several names including:
Rooh al Amin (the Trustworthy Spirit) in Surah Ash-Shu’araa (26: 193):
نَزَلَ بِهِ الرُّوحُ الْأَمِينُ
Which the trustworthy Rooh (Jibreel) has brought down
Rooh Hanaa (Our Soul) in Surah Maryam (19:17)
فَاتَّخَذَتْ مِن دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًا فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًا سَوِيًّا
She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Soul (angel Jibreel) and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.
Al Rooh in Surah Al Qadr (97:4) see also 26:193; 67:12; 70:4; 78:38
تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ
Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (Jibreel) by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees
Rooh ul Qudus in Surah An-Nahl (16:102) see also 2:87, 253; 5:110
قُلْ نَزَّلَهُ رُوحُ الْقُدُسِ مِن رَّبِّكَ بِالْحَقِّ لِيُثَبِّتَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَى لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ
Say (O Muhammad) Rooh ul Qudus (Jibreel) has brought it (the Qur’an) down from your Lord with truth, that it may make it firm and strengthen (the Faith of) those who believe, and as a guidance and glad tidings to those who have submitted (to Allah as Muslims).
ISRAF’EEL (alayhi salam)
Israf’il (alayhi salam) will be responsible for blowing the Trumpet on Yaum ul Qiyamah.
MALIK (alayhi salam)
Malik (alayhi salam) is the Keeper of the Fire.
وَنَادَوْا يَا مَالِكُ لِيَقْضِ عَلَيْنَا رَبُّكَ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّاكِثُونَ
And they will cry: “O Malik (Keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us.” He will say: “Verily you shall abide forever”. {Az Zukhruf: 77}
RIDWAN (alayhi salam)
Ridwan (alayhi salam) is the Keeper of Paradise
MUKAR & NAKIR (alayhim salam)
Munkar and Nakir (alayhim salam) are the angels who will question the souls in the graves.
Abu Umama said,
"When I die, do with me as the Prophet (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) ordered us, saying, 'When one of your brothers dies and you have smoothed over the earth upon his grave, let one of you stand at the head of the grave and say, "O So and so Son of So and so" for he will hear, though he cannot reply - and then say, "O So and So, son of So and so," and he will say, "Direct me, Allah have mercy upon you mercy on you," though you will not hear it, but should say, "Remember the creed upon which you departed from this world, the testimony that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His slave and messenger, and that you accepted Allah as your Lord, Islam as your religion, Muhammad as your prophet, and the Qur’an as your exemplar." For then the two angels Munkar and Nakir will take each other's hand and say, "Let us go, what is there to keep us beside someone who has been instructed how to make his plea?"
A Man said, "O Messenger of Alllah, what if one does not know the name of his mother?" and he answered, 'Then one should mention his descent from his mother Eve, saying, "O so and so son of Eve"
Tabarani related this hadith in his al-Mu'jam al kabir and Ibn Hajar al Asqalani has said that "its transmission is sound" [Talkhis al-habir fi takhrij ahadith al-Rafi'i al-kabir]
MARUT & HARUT (alayhim salam)
Marut and Harut (alayhim salam) were two angels sent as a fitnah to test the imaan of the people.
وَاتَّبَعُواْ مَا تَتْلُواْ الشَّيَاطِينُ عَلَى مُلْكِ سُلَيْمَانَ وَمَا كَفَرَ سُلَيْمَانُ وَلَـكِنَّ الشَّيْاطِينَ كَفَرُواْ يُعَلِّمُونَ النَّاسَ السِّحْرَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ عَلَى الْمَلَكَيْنِ بِبَابِلَ هَارُوتَ وَمَارُوتَ وَمَا يُعَلِّمَانِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ حَتَّى يَقُولاَ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌ فَلاَ تَكْفُرْ فَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مِنْهُمَا مَا يُفَرِّقُونَ بِهِ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَزَوْجِهِ وَمَا هُم بِضَآرِّينَ بِهِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِ اللّهِ وَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلاَ يَنفَعُهُمْ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمُواْ لَمَنِ اشْتَرَاهُ مَا لَهُ فِي الآخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلاَقٍ وَلَبِئْسَ مَا شَرَوْاْ بِهِ أَنفُسَهُمْ لَوْ كَانُواْ يَعْلَمُونَ
They followed what the Shayatin gave out (falsely of the magic) in the life time of Sulaiman. Sulaiman did not disbelieve but the Shayatin disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut, but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, “We are for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)”. And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah’s Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their ownselves, if they but knew. {Al Baqarah: 102}
AZRA’EEL
We have no strong information about the angel Azra’eel (alayhi salam). There is an athar hadith relating to Azra’eel (alayhi salam) as being the Angel of Death, but the true name for the Angel of Death (as mentioned in Qur’an) is Malek ul Mawt. Many Muslims mistakenly call him Azraeel. The name "Azraeel" is neither mentioned in the Holy Book of Allah, the Holy Qur’an, nor by Muhammad, may Allah bless and grant him peace, in any of the Ahadeeth. The name "Izrael" is mentioned in the Taurat and therefore has been ‘borrowed’ from the Jews. (Beware of such innovations. Copying the Jews or any other unbelievers, and then saying "This is from Allah", is Kufr).
We are also informed of the angels who remain beside us through our lives to record our deeds in Surah Al Qaaf: 17-18
إِذْ يَتَلَقَّى الْمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَعَنِ الشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٌ
(Remember) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being), one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note his or her actions)
مَا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ
Not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it)
وَهُوَ الْقَاهِرُ فَوْقَ عِبَادِهِ وَيُرْسِلُ عَلَيْكُم حَفَظَةً حَتَّىَ إِذَا جَاء أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ تَوَفَّتْهُ رُسُلُنَا وَهُمْ لاَ يُفَرِّطُونَ
He is the Irresistible, Supreme over His slaves, and He sends guardians (angels guarding and writing all of ones good and bad deeds) over you, until when death approaches one of you, Our Messengers (Angel of Death and his assistants) take his soul, and they never neglect their duty. {Al An’aam:61}
قُلْ يَتَوَفَّاكُم مَّلَكُ الْمَوْتِ الَّذِي وُكِّلَ بِكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَى رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ
Say: “The Angel of Death, who is set over you, will take your souls, then you shall be brought to your Lord.” {As Sajdah: 11}
Description of the Physical Features of the Angels
1) The angels were created before Adam (alayhi salam). We know this because Allah addressed the angels before He created Adam (alayhi salam) and told them, as mentioned in Qur’an – In Surah Al Baqarah (2:30-33), Allah has stated:
وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلاَئِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً قَالُواْ أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَاء وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ قَالَ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ مَا لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ
And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: “Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth”. They said: “Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, - while we glorify You with praises and thanks and sanctify You.” He (Allah) said: “I know that which you do not know.”
2) The angels are created from Light. The evidence for this comes from the hadith of Sahih Muslim:
'A'isha (radi’Allahu anhu) reported that Allah's Messenger (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: The Angels were born out of light and the Jinni were born out of the spark of fire and Adam was born as he has been defined (in the Qur'an) for you (i.e. he is fashioned out of clay). (Book #042, Hadith #7134)
3) The angels do not have physical bodies and cannot be perceived by the human senses except by Allah’s Will. They are neither material, nor flesh and blood. We cannot describe then in any way that we would describe mankind.
4) The angels do not eat, drink, sleep or marry. They are purified from animal and carnal desires. They are removed from committing sins or making mistakes because they do not have free-will.
By Allah’s Will, the angels can take on human form and present themselves to humans. This is the case with angel Jibreel (alayhi salam) when he presented himself to the Prophet (alayhi salam) to enquire from him about the Deen in the famous Hadith Jibreel:
It is narrated on the authority of Yahya b. Ya'mur that the first man who discussed about Qadr (Divine Decree) in Basra was Ma'bad al-Juhani. I along with Humaid b. 'Abdur-Rahman Himyari set out for pilgrimage or for 'Umrah and said: Should it so happen that we come into contact with one of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) we shall ask him a bout what is talked about Taqdir (Division Decree). Accidentally we came across Abdullah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab, while he was entering the mosque. My companion and I surrounded him. One of us (stood) on his right and the other stood on his left. I expected that my companion would authorize me to speak. I therefore said: Abu Abdur Rahman! There have appeared some people in our land who recite the Holy Qur'an and pursue knowledge. And then after talking about their affairs, added: They (such people) claim that there is no such thing as Divine Decree and events are not predestined. He (Abdullah ibn Umar) said: When you happen to meet such people tell them that I have nothing to do with them and they have nothing to do with me. And verily they are in no way responsible for my (belief). Abdullah ibn Umar swore by Him (the Lord) (and said): If any one of them (who does not believe in the Divine Decree) had with him gold equal to the bulk of (the mountain) Uhud and then, it (in the way of Allah), Allah would not accept it unless he affirmed his faith in Divine Decree. He further said: My father, Umar ibn al-Khattab, told me: One day we were sitting in the company of Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) when there appeared before us a man dressed in pure white clothes, his hair extraordinarily black. There were no signs of travel on him. None amongst us recognized him. At last he sat with the Apostle (peace be upon him) He knelt before him placed his palms on his thighs and said: Muhammad, inform me about al-Islam. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Al-Islam implies that you testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, and you establish prayer, pay Zakat, observe the fast of Ramadan, and perform pilgrimage to the (House) if you are solvent enough (to bear the expense of) the journey. He (the inquirer) said: You have told the truth. He (Umar ibn al-Khattab) said: It amazed us that he would put the question and then he would himself verify the truth. He (the inquirer) said: Inform me about Iman (faith). He (the Holy Prophet) replied: That you affirm your faith in Allah, in His angels, in His Books, in His Apostles, in the Day of Judgment, and you affirm your faith in the Divine Decree about good and evil. He (the inquirer) said: You have told the truth. He (the inquirer) again said: Inform me about al-Ihsan (performance of good deeds). He (the Holy Prophet) said: That you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him, for though you don't see Him, He, verily, sees you. He (the enquirer) again said: Inform me about the hour (of the Doom). He (the Holy Prophet) remarked: One who is asked knows no more than the one who is inquiring (about it). He (the inquirer) said: Tell me some of its indications. He (the Holy Prophet) said: That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress and master, that you will find barefooted, destitute goat-herds vying with one another in the construction of magnificent buildings. He (the narrator, Umar ibn al-Khattab) said: Then he (the inquirer) went on his way but I stayed with him (the Holy Prophet) for a long while. He then, said to me: Umar, do you know who this inquirer was? I replied: Allah and His Apostle knows best. He (the Holy Prophet) remarked: He was Jibreel (the angel). He came to you in order to instruct you in matters of religion. (Sahih Muslim, Book #001, Hadith #0001)
Also, in Surah Maryam (19:16-17), Allah has stated:
وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ مَرْيَمَ إِذِ انتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَانًا شَرْقِيًّا
And mention in the Book (the Qur’an, O Muhammad, the story of) Maryam, when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east.
فَاتَّخَذَتْ مِن دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًا فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًا سَوِيًّا
She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Ruh (Jibreel), and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.
In Surah Al Anbiya (21:20), Allah has stated:
يُسَبِّحُونَ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ لَا يَفْتُرُونَ
They (i.e. the angels) glorify His Praises night and day, (and) they never slacken (to do so)
In Surah Fussilat (41:38), Allah has stated:
فَإِنِ اسْتَكْبَرُوا فَالَّذِينَ عِندَ رَبِّكَ يُسَبِّحُونَ لَهُ بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْأَمُونَ
But if they are too proud (to prostrate) then there are those who are with your Lord (angels) glorify Him night and day, and never are they tired.
The angels’ abodes are in the heavens and they descend to the earth only by Allah’s Command.
In Surah Maryam (19:64), Allah has stated:
وَمَا نَتَنَزَّلُ إِلَّا بِأَمْرِ رَبِّكَ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِينَا وَمَا خَلْفَنَا وَمَا بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ نَسِيًّا
And we (angels) descend not except by the Command of your Lord. To Him belongs what is before us and what is behind us, and what is between these two; and your Lord is never forgetful
In Surah Al Qadr (97:3-4), Allah has stated:
لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
The Night of Al Qadr is better than a thousand months. (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months i.e. 83 years and 4 months)
تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ
Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (Jibreel) by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees.
The Numbers of Angels in Existence
It is an impossible feat to count and calculate the numbers of angels in existence. No-one can possible comprehend their numbers. That knowledge lies with Allah alone.
For every person, there are assigned 2 angels to record their deeds, plus 2 protecting angels, plus an angel companion…..
There is an angel sent to every embryo, but it is impossible to calculate the numbers of pregnant women on the earth at any given moment, not to mention the women who don’t even know they are pregnant.
There are angels assigned to remove the souls of those for whom death has been decreed. One statistic stated that a person dies every second on the earth, and another statistic states that this number has increased. Because we never know when death will occur, we can never know when the angels assigned to the task of removing the souls will come, so we can never calculate them.
There are angels who join the salat (prayer) in all the masjids around the world, plus those angels who pray besides those who pray alone, plus those angels who remain with those who stay after salat doing dhikr and making du’a, plus the angels of mercy in the home who ask for blessings for Allah’s slaves when they do good deeds.
There are numerous ahadith relating to numbers of angels assigned to certain tasks, for example:
Anas b. Malik reported on the authority of Malik b. Sa sa' (radi’Allahu anhum), perhaps a person of his tribe, that the Prophet of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: I was near the House (i.e. Ka'bah) in a state between sleep and wakefulness when I heard someone say: …. “Then the Bait-ul-Ma'mur was raised up to me. I said: O Jibreel! what is this? He replied: It is the Bait-ul-Ma'mur. 70,000 angels enter into it daily and, after they come out, they never return again. [Sahih Muslim: (Book #001, Hadith #0314)]
In Sahih Muslim from Abdullah: the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: On the Day of Judgment Hell will be dragged and it will have 70,000 bridles and each bridle had 70,000 angels"
……..this is an endless list. Allahu Alem.
In Surah Al Mudaththir (74:31), Allah has stated:
وَمَا جَعَلْنَا أَصْحَابَ النَّارِ إِلَّا مَلَائِكَةً وَمَا جَعَلْنَا عِدَّتَهُمْ إِلَّا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِيَسْتَيْقِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ وَيَزْدَادَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِيمَانًا وَلَا يَرْتَابَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَلِيَقُولَ الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ وَالْكَافِرُونَ مَاذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِهَذَا مَثَلًا كَذَلِكَ يُضِلُّ اللَّهُ مَن يَشَاء وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاء وَمَا يَعْلَمُ جُنُودَ رَبِّكَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَمَا هِيَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَى لِلْبَشَرِ
And We have set none but angels as guardians of the Fire, and We have fixed their number (19) only as a trial for the disbelievers, in order that the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) may arrive at a certainty (that this Qur’an is the truth as it agrees with their Books i.e. their number (19) is written in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)) and the believers may increase in Faith (as this Qur’an is the truth) and that no doubts may be left for the people of the Scripture and the believers, and that those in whose hearts is a disease (of hypocrisy) and the disbelievers may say: "What Allah intends by this (curious) example ?" Thus Allah leads astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And none can know the hosts of your Lord but He. And this (Hell) is nothing else than a (warning) reminder to mankind.
The Role of the Angels amongst the Believers
1. Their love for the believers
On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (radi’Allahu anhu), who said that the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said:
If Allah has loved a servant [of His] He calls Jibreel (alayhi salam) and says: I love So-and-so, therefore love him. He (the Prophet) said: So Jibreel loves him. Then he (Jibreel) calls out in heaven, saying: Allah loves So-and-so, therefore love him. And the inhabitants of heaven love him. He (the Prophet) said: Then acceptance is established for him on earth. And if Allah has abhorred a servant [of His], He calls Jibreel (alayhi salam) and says: I abhor So-and-so, therefore abhor him. So, Jibreel (alayhi salam) abhors him. Then Jibreel (alayhi salam) calls out to the inhabitants of heaven: Allah abhors So-and-so, therefore abhor him. He (the Prophet) said: So they abhor him, and abhorrence is established for him on earth.
Related by Muslim, (also by al-Bukhari, Malik, and at-Tirmidhi).
2. Guiding and showing the believers the right way
Each person has been assigned an angel to guide them throughout their life. The angel will whisper (into their thoughts) to remind them about doing good deeds.
Narrated Abu Huraira (radi’Allahu anhu): (The Prophet) Solomon (alayhi salam) said, "Tonight I will sleep with (my) ninety wives, each of whom will get a male child who will fight for Allah's Cause." On that, his companion (Sufyan said that his companion was an angel) said to him, "Say, "If Allah wills (insha’Allah)." But Solomon forgot (to say it). He slept with all his wives, but none of the women gave birth to a child, except one who gave birth to a halfboy (hermaphrodite). Abu Huraira (radi’Allahu anhu) added: The Prophet (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said, "If Solomon had said, "If Allah wilsl" (insha’Allah), he would not have been unsuccessful in his action, and would have attained what he had desired." Once Abu Huraira (radi’Allahu anhu) added: Allah’s apostle (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said, "If he had accepted."(Sahih Al Bukhari, Book #79, Hadith #711)
Verily, the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: "Whoever asks for payment of something, it is appointed to himself, and whoever forces it on him, Allah sends an Angel to settle. Exactly how this settling or guiding is done, Allah knows best.
3. Sending blessings on believers
The angels send blessings on the Prophet Muhammad (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) as well as on the believers.
In Surah Al Ahzaab (33:56), Allah has stated:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
Allah sends His Salat (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy, etc.) on the Prophet (Muhammad) and also His angels too (ask Allah to bless and forgive him). O you who believe! Send your Salat on (ask Allah to bless) him (Muhammad), and (you should) greet (salute) him with the Islamic way of greeting (salutation i.e. Asalamu Alaikum).
And in Surah Al Ahzaab (33:43), Allah has stated:
هُوَ الَّذِي يُصَلِّي عَلَيْكُمْ وَمَلَائِكَتُهُ لِيُخْرِجَكُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ وَكَانَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيمًا
He it is Who sends Salat (His blessings) on you, and His angels too (ask Allah to bless and forgive you), that He may bring you out from darkness (of disbelief and polytheism) into light (of Belief and Islamic Monotheism). And He is Ever Most Merciful to the believers.
There are a numbers of circumstances whereby the angels ask for blessings and forgiveness of a believer.
3a. When teaching people to do good
Tubrani and At-Tirmidhi reported that Abi Umamah (radi’Allahu anhu) said the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: Verily, Allah and His Angels, even the ant in its hole, even the whale in the sea, send blessings on the person who teaches people to do good. [Sahih Al-Jamie', Vol.2, p. 133, isnad sahih (chain of narrators)]
Another version is from Abu Umamah (radi’Allahu anhu)...Allah, His Angels and all those who live in the heavens and earth, even the ants in their holes and the fish supplicate for those who instruct people in virtuous knowledge .
3b. Those who lead the salat in the masjids and those who go to pray in the masjids
From Sahih Muslim: "Verily the Angels bless the one who comes to the masjid for salat. They say, "O Lord, bless him. O, Lord, have mercy on him. "(This is for) whoever does not pray harm against someone or does not innovate in it (the prayer).
3c. Those who pray in the first line of salat
Al-Bara`(radi’Allahu anhu) said: the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: "Verily Allah and His Angels bless the first row." [Sahih Al-Jamie, Vol. 2, p. 133 with isnaad sahih; in Sunan Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah and Musnad Ahmad.]
3d. Those who remain in their places of prayer after salat without talking or getting up and remaining in dua and dhikr (remembrance of Allah)
3e. Those who close the openings in the lines for salat
Aisha (radi’Allahu anha) said that the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: "Verily Allah, most High, and His Angels send blessings on those who pray in the rows and whoever blocks an opening, Allah raises his number of blessings. [Sahih Al-Jamie, Vol. 2, p. 135; In Sunan ibn Majah and Musnad Ahmad and Mustadrak Al Haakim with isnaad hassan.]
3f. Those who take the meal before Fajr during Ramadan [sahour]
Ibn Omar (radi’Allahu anhu) said the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: Verily Allah, most High, and His Angels send blessings on those who take sahour." [Sahih Al-Jamie; in Sahih ibn Habaan and M'ajam At-Tubrani Al-Awsat by isnad hassan.]
In a related hadith, Abu Sa'eed Al Khudari (radi’Allahu anhu) said that the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: "Sahour is a meal containing blessings, so do not abandon it, even if you only have a drink of water. Allah and His Angels pray on those who eat sahour. [In Al-Targhib wa At-Tarheeb by Al-Mundhiri from Musnad Ahmad with strong isnaad.]
3g. Those who send blessings on the Prophet Muhammed (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam)
The Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: "Anyone of you who sends blessings on me, the Angels send blessings on him as long as he continues to do so, that is, it will be said "and for the servant of that blessing or more." [Sahih Al Jamie', vol. 5, p. 174; in Musnad Ahmad and Ad-Diyya' in Al Mukhtaar from 'Aamir bin Rabieh by isnaad hassan.]
3h. Those who visit the sick
Ali ibn Abi Talib (radi’Allahu anhu) said the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: Any Muslim person who visits a Muslim, Allah sends 70,000 Angels who send blessings on him no matter what time of the day it is until nightfall, or no matter what time of the night until daybreak." [Sahih Al Jamie', Vol. 2, p. 159]
In another narration: "Any man who visits the sick at night, 70,000 Angels go out with him, seeking forgiveness for him until the morning; and whoever comes to him [the sick person] during the morning, 70,000 Angels go out with him, seeking forgiveness for him until night."
3i. Sleeping in the state of wudhu
Umar (radi’Allahu anhu) said that the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: "Whoever spends the night in a state of purity, spends the night with an Angel close to him. He does not wake up without the Angel saying, 'O Allah, forgive Your servant (name), he has spend the night in a state of purity.' " [Sahih Hibban, Al-Mundhiri in At-Tarheeb wa At-Targheeb]
Ibn Abbas (radi’Allahu anhu) said that the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: "Purify these bodies of yours and Allah will purify you. There is no servant spends the night in a state of purity, but that an Angel remains close to him. He does not pass an hour of the night without saying, 'O Allah, forgive Your servant. He spent the night in a state of purity.' " [At-Tabarani in Al-Awsat and Al Mundhiri said the isnaad (chain of narrators) is good, i.e. hassan]
4. Their saying "Ameen" at the end of the dua’s of the Believers
The Prophet Muhammed (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said in reference to the dua of a person for his brother in his absence that near his head is an Angel who says 'ameen' at the end of his dua. Everytime he prays for goodness for him [his brother Muslim], the angel says 'ameen and the same for you'. And when a believer prays for something bad for him then he has invariably prayed for evil for himself."
"There is no Muslim servant who supplicates for his brother in absense to whom the Angels do not say, 'And for you the same'" [Transmitted in Sahih Muslim from the hadith of Abi Dardaa; Sunan of Ibn Maaja also narrated by Abi Dardaa and this was in connection with the ayah from Suratul Hashr 59:10 which reads, {As for those who came after them, they say, 'Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in belief, and do not put into our hearts any rancor towards those who believe. Our Lord, surely You are the All-Gentle, the All-Compassionate}]
5. Asking for forgiveness of the believers
In Surah Ash-Shura (42:5), Allah has stated:
تَكَادُ السَّمَاوَاتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِن فَوْقِهِنَّ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ أَلَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
Nearly the heavens might be rent asunder from above them (by His Majesty), and the angels glorify the praises of their Lord, and ask for forgiveness for those on earth. Verily, Allah is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful
In Surah Al Ghaffir (40:7-9), Allah has stated:
الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَاتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ
Those (angels) who bear the Throne (of Allah) and those around it glorify the praises of their Lord, and believe in Him, and ask for forgiveness for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah) (saying): “Our Lord You comprehend all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who repent and follow Your way, and save them from the torment of the blazing Fire!”
رَبَّنَا وَأَدْخِلْهُمْ جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ الَّتِي وَعَدتَّهُم وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
“Our Lord! And make them the Adn (Eden) Paradise (Everlasting Gardens) which you have promised them – and to the righteous among their fathers, their wives, and their offspring! Verily, You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise”.
وَقِهِمُ السَّيِّئَاتِ وَمَن تَقِ السَّيِّئَاتِ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَدْ رَحِمْتَهُ وَذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
“And save them from (the punishment for what they did of) the sins, and whomsoever You save from (the punishment for what he did of) the sins that Day, him verily, You have taken into mercy” And that is the supreme success.
[That above which is high-lighted can be recited as a du’a]
6. Witnessing learning circles (halaqahs or taleems) for learning and remembering Allah
Abu Hurairah (radi’Allahu anhu) relates that the Prophet Muhammed (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: There is a group of Allah's angels who move about the pathways and streets looking for those who dhikr (those who sit in remembrance of Allah and celebrate His praises; then when they find a group of people remembering Allah they call each other saying, 'Come to the object of your pursuit' (meaning: here is what you have been looking for.) He said, “Then the Angels encircle them and cover them with their wings right up to the sky of the world.”
He added, (after those people celebrated the Praises of Allah, and the angels go back), “their Lord asks them (the angels) --though He knows better-- 'What were My servants saying?' The angels replied, 'They were saying: Subhan’Allah, Allahu Akbar, and Alhamdulillah.’ Then Allah said, 'Have they seen Me?' The angels replied, 'No, by Allah, they have not seen You.' Allah said, 'How would it have been if they had seen Me?'(of if they could see Me?) The Angels replied, 'If they could see You, they would worship You more devoutly and celebrate Your Glory more deeply, and declare Your freedom from any resemblance to anything more often.' Allah said (to the Angels), 'What did they ask of Me?' The Angels replied 'They asked You for Paradise.' Allah asked them 'Have they ever seen it?' The Angels responded, 'No, by Allah, O Lord, they have not seen it.’ Allah asked them, 'How would it have been if they had seen it?' The Angels say, 'If they had seen it, they would have greater yearning for it and would seek it with zeal and would have greater desire for it.'
Then Allah said, 'From what did they seek refuge?' The Angels replied, 'They sought refuge from the Fire.' Allah asked, 'Have they ever seen it?' The Angels responded: 'No, by Allah, O Lord, they have not seen it.' Allah inquired: 'How would it have been if they had seen it?' The Angels said, 'If they had seen it they would run from it more and would have extreme fear of it.' Then Allah says 'I make you witnesses that I have forgiven them.' Allah's Apostle (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) added, "One of the Angels would say, 'There was so-and-so amongst them, and he was not one of them, but he had just come for some need.' Allah would say, 'These are those people whose companions will not be reduced to misery.'(meaning; that they were sitting together, therefore, even their associates shall not go unrewarded.)
[Agreed (meaning in both Sahih Muslim and Sahih Al Bukhari - and this wording is from Al Bukhari. See Sahih Al Bukhari in Fat-hul Bari, Vol. 11, p.175-76]
In Sahih Muslim from Abu Hurairah (radi’Allahu anhu) the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: "For each and every group of people who gather together in one of the houses of Allah [mosques] and recite the Book of Allah and study it among themselves , peace and tranquility is sent down upon them from Allah and they are covered with mercy and the Angels spread their wings over them and Allah mentions them to those near Him.
Abu Ad-Darda` (radi’Allahu anhu) directly from the Prophet Muhammed (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam)said: "Verily, the Angels put their wings around one seeking knowledge out of pleasure for what he is doing." [In Musnad Imam Ahmad and the Sunan of At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud]
Abu Hurairah and Abu Sa'eed, (radi’Allahu anhum), reported that the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: No group sits remembering Allah without the Angels surrounding them, mercy covering them and Allah mentioning them among those present before Him. [Muslim]
Sahih Muslim and Sahih Al-Bukhari and others from Anas (radi’Allahu anhu) reported that the Prophet Muhammed (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: "If you were to continue in the same state as you are when you are with me, remembering Allah, Angels would come down and greet you and on the roads of Medina and shake hands with you when you are in your beds ...". (meaning after having met with the Prophet Muhammed (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) and benefited from him in their circle of knowledge, there would be so many Angels around that if they could see them , they would be able to shake their hands and brush against them due to the closeness and presence of so many angels)
Abu Hurairah (radi’Allahu anhu) said: If, under all circumstances, you were at the spiritual state which you are in now with me, the Angels would pass by, brush against you with their shoulders, and they would visit you in your homes, and if you did not sin, Allah would make a people who committed sins so He could forgive them. [Sahih Al Jamie', Vol 5, p. 60; Sunan At-Tirmidhi]
7. The angels register the names of those attending Salat ul Jumu’ah
In Sahih Bukhari from Abu Hurairah (radi’Allahu anhu) said that the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: "When it is Friday (Yaum ul Jumu’ah) on every door of every masjid angels record the believers who enter, one by one, listing the first person, then the next, and so on; when the Imam sits , they close the book (that they are recording the names in) and come to listen to the reminders and admonitions (in the khutbah).
And they record good deeds eminating from the people.
In Sahih Bukhari and others, Rafa`a bin Rafie` Az-Zirqi (radi’Allahu anhu) said: "One day we were praying behind the Prophet Muhammed (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam)and when he raised his head from the position of ruku` he said: 'Sami Allahu liman hamidah' (Allah hears whoever praises Him") A man from behind said: 'Rabbanna wa lakkal hamd -- hamdan katheeran tayyiban mubarakan fih (Our Lord, and to You is Praise -- many good blessed praises to Him'. When we finished (the salat) the Prophet Muhammed (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: 'Who spoke?' The man said: 'I did'. He said, “Indeed, I saw some 30-something angels all scuffling to see which one of them could record it."
8. The Angels follow the believers
Abu Hurairah (radi’Allahu anhu) narrated: The Prophet (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said, "Angels keep on descending from and ascending to the heaven in turn, some at night and some by daytime, and all of them assemble together at the time of Fajr and 'Asr prayers. Then those who have stayed with you overnight, ascend to Allah Who asks them (and He knows the answer better than they): "How have you left My slaves?" They reply, “We left them while they were praying and we came to them while they were praying." The narrator added: If anyone of you says, "Ameen" (during the prayer at the end of the recitation of Surat ul Fatiha) and the angels in heaven say the same, and the two sayings coincide, all his past sins will be forgiven. (Sahih Al Bukhari, Vol. 4/446)
Also there are the angels who raise up the deeds of the servants to their Lord.
In both Sahih Muslim and Sahih Al-Bukhari from Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (radi’Allahu anhu) who said that the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) stood amongst us and said 4 words (points). He said: Verily Allah does not sleep and He has no need for sleep, . . .the deeds of the day are raised up to Him before night, and the deeds of the night before day . . ."
Also Allah has made great the stature of Salat ul Fajr because the angels give witness to it.
In Surah Al-Isra (17:78), Allah has stated:
أَقِمِ الصَّلاَةَ لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَى غَسَقِ اللَّيْلِ وَقُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ إِنَّ قُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا
Perform as-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) from mid-day till the darkness of the night (i.e. the Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers), and recite the Qur’an in the early dawn (i.e. the morning prayer). Verily, the recitation of the Qur’an in the early dawn is ever witnessed (attended by the angels in charge of mankind of the day and the night).
9. Their descend when a believer reads Qur'an
There are angels whose duty it is to come down from the heavens when a believer recites Qur’an. The story is told of Aseed Ibn Hader when he was reading Qur’an (Suratul Kahf) one night and his horse was tied up with 2 ropes beside him. A cloud came down and spread over him and it kept on coming closer and closer to him till his horse started jumping (as if afraid of something). When it was morning, he came to the Prophet Muhammed (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) and told him what happened. The Prophet Muhammed (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: “That was the "sakinah" peace / tranquility and reassurance along with angels, which descended because of the recitation of Qur’an.
It is said that Ibn Hader had a good voice and recitation of Qur'an. This is found in Sahih Al Bukhari. The Prophet (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) also told him that if he had continued his recitation which he stopped because his horse was getting jittery and he was afraid it would trample his son, the angels would have remained until morning and the people would have been able to see them. This is also daleel (proof) that people can and do see angels.
10. They inform the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) when anyone from his community sends blessings upon him
The Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: "Verily Allah, the Almighty, has an angel who he has given (the task) of listening to the servants of Allah, for not one person sends blessings upon me, that he doesn't convey it to me, and I asked my Lord that when a servant sends blessings on me in his salat, to send blessings upon him ten times equal to that."
Abdullah bin Masoud (radi’Allahu anhu) said that the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: Verily Allah has angels traveling who inform me of the blessings (salutations / salal ala nabi) sent upon me by my community." [Imam Ahmad in his Musnad and An-Nisaa'i]
11. They give glad tidings to the believers
They took good news to Prophet Ibrahim (alayhi salam) that he would soon be provided with a righteous offspring
In Surah ad-Dhariat (51:24-29), Allah has stated:
هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ ضَيْفِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْمُكْرَمِينَ
Has the story reached you, of the honoured guests (three angels; Jibreel along with another two) of Ibrahim?
إِذْ دَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالُوا سَلَامًا قَالَ سَلَامٌ قَوْمٌ مُّنكَرُونَ
When they came in to him, and said, "Salam, (peace be upon you)!" He answered; "Salam, (peace be upon you )," and said: "You are a people unknown to me,"
فَرَاغَ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ فَجَاء بِعِجْلٍ سَمِينٍ
Then he turned to his household, so brought out a roasted calf.
فَقَرَّبَهُ إِلَيْهِمْ قَالَ أَلَا تَأْكُلُونَ
And placed it before them, (saying): "Will you not eat?"
فَأَوْجَسَ مِنْهُمْ خِيفَةً قَالُوا لَا تَخَفْ وَبَشَّرُوهُ بِغُلَامٍ عَلِيمٍ
Then he conceived a fear of them (when they ate not). They said: "Fear not." And they gave him glad tidings of an intelligent son, having knowledge (about Allah and His religion of True Monotheism).
فَأَقْبَلَتِ امْرَأَتُهُ فِي صَرَّةٍ فَصَكَّتْ وَجْهَهَا وَقَالَتْ عَجُوزٌ عَقِيمٌ
Then his wife came forward with a loud voice, she smote her face, and said: "A barren old woman!"
قَالُوا كَذَلِكَ قَالَ رَبُّكِ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْحَكِيمُ الْعَلِيمُ
They said: "Even so says your Lord. Verily, He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower."
The angels informed Zakariya (alayhi salam) of his having a son, Yahya.
In Surah Al-Imran (3:39), Allah has stated:
فَنَادَتْهُ الْمَلآئِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي فِي الْمِحْرَابِ أَنَّ اللّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَـى مُصَدِّقًا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ اللّهِ وَسَيِّدًا وَحَصُورًا وَنَبِيًّا مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
Then the angels called him, while he was standing in prayer in Al-Mihrab (a praying place or a private room), (saying): "Allah gives you glad tidings of Yahya (John), confirming (believing in) the Word from Allah (i.e. the creation of Isa (Jesus), the Word from Allah ("Be!" - and he was!)), noble, keeping away from sexual relations with women, a Prophet, from among the righteous."
From Sahih Muslim, Abu Huraira (radi’Allahu anhu) tells that the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: A man set out to visit his brother in a neighbouring town or valley Allah sent an angel to him on his path. So when he, (the angel) came to him, he said, "Where are you going?" The man said: I'm going to my brother who lives in this valley." The angel said: “Do you have something to gain from seeing him?” He answered: “No, other than I love him for the sake of Allah, the Almighty”. The Angel said: “I am a messenger of Allah sent to tell you that Allah indeed loves you as you love your brother for His sake”.
Sahih Muslim from Abu Huraira (radi’Allahu anhu): The Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: "Jibreel came to me and said: 'O Rasool Allah. This is Khadijah coming to you and she has with her a vessel that has food or drink, so when she comes to you, convey to her salaams from her Lord and from me and give her good news of a house in Jannah made of gold and sliver brocade and there is no shouting/yelling or rage in it and there are no insults." [Sahih Al Jaami'e, 1/76]
12. The angels and vision in sleep
In Sahih Al-Bukhari from A’isha (radi’Allahu anha) who said: the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said to me: “I saw you twice in a dream before I married you. I saw an angel carrying you wrapped in silk and I said, "Unwrap it" and it was unwrapped and there you were.” I said, “If this is from Allah, it will come about”. In another narration it said, ". . . he said (the angel) to me, "This is your woman (wife) and I saw your face. . ."
13. They fight with the believers and stabilise them in their wars
In Surah Al-Anfal (8:9), Allah has stated:
إِذْ تَسْتَغِيثُونَ رَبَّكُمْ فَاسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ أَنِّي مُمِدُّكُم بِأَلْفٍ مِّنَ الْمَلآئِكَةِ مُرْدِفِينَ
(Remember) when you sought help of your Lord and He answered you (saying): "I will help you with a thousand of the angels each behind the other (following one another) in succession."
And in Surah Al Imran (3:123-25), Allah has stated:
وَلَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ اللّهُ بِبَدْرٍ وَأَنتُمْ أَذِلَّةٌ فَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
And Allah has already made you victorious at Badr, when you were a weak little force. So fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden and love Allah much, perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained) that you may be grateful.
The Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said on the day of Badr: “This is Jibreel holding the head of his horse and equipped with arms/ instruments for battle…[Al Bukhari].
And in Surah Al Anfal (8:10), Allah has stated:
وَمَا جَعَلَهُ اللّهُ إِلاَّ بُشْرَى وَلِتَطْمَئِنَّ بِهِ قُلُوبُكُمْ وَمَا النَّصْرُ إِلاَّ مِنْ عِندِ اللّهِ إِنَّ اللّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
Allah made it only as glad tidings, and that your hearts be at rest therewith. And there is no victory except from Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
And in Surah Al Anfal (8:12), Allah has stated:
إِذْ يُوحِي رَبُّكَ إِلَى الْمَلآئِكَةِ أَنِّي مَعَكُمْ فَثَبِّتُواْ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ سَأُلْقِي فِي قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ الرَّعْبَ فَاضْرِبُواْ فَوْقَ الأَعْنَاقِ وَاضْرِبُواْ مِنْهُمْ كُلَّ بَنَانٍ
(Remember) when your Lord inspired the angels, "Verily, I am with you, so keep firm those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who have disbelieved, so strike them over the necks, and smite over all their fingers and toes."
And in Surah Al Imran (3:126-27), Allah has stated:
وَمَا جَعَلَهُ اللّهُ إِلاَّ بُشْرَى لَكُمْ وَلِتَطْمَئِنَّ قُلُوبُكُم بِهِ وَمَا النَّصْرُ إِلاَّ مِنْ عِندِ اللّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَكِيمِ
Allah made it not but as a message of good news for you and as an assurance to your hearts. And there is no victory except from Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
لِيَقْطَعَ طَرَفًا مِّنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ أَوْ يَكْبِتَهُمْ فَيَنقَلِبُواْ خَآئِبِينَ
That He might cut off a part of those who disbelieve, or expose them to infamy, so that they retire frustrated.
The Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) saw the angels on the day of Badr. In Sahih Al-Bukhari: The Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) was in a hut with As-Siddiq (radi’Allahu anhu)on the day of Badr and they prayed. Then the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) took a little nap. He awoke smiling and said: "I bring you good news Abu Bakr, this is Jibreel and on his horse are instruments of war. [In Sahih Al Bukhari, Vol 5, Chapter: The Book of Military Expeditions; Section: The participation of Angels in the battle of Badr.]
Al Baihaqi transmitted this hadith by Ar-Rabi ibn Anas who said, "On the day of Badr, people could see the ones who had been killed by the angels among the dead by the blows above the necks and on their fingertips which looked as if they had been burnt by fire".
Al Bukhari, in his Sahih in the Chapter "The Presence of Angels at Badr", from Mu'ath ibn Rifa'a Az-Zurqi, from his father who was one of the people at Badr, said, "Jibreel came to the Prophet (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) and said, 'How do you measure or assess the people of Badr among you?' He said, 'Among the best of the Muslims.' He said, 'It is the same with those of the Angels who were present at Badr.'
Ibn Abbas (radi’Allahu anhu) reported that a man from the Muslims intensified his attack on the polytheists in front of him. When he looked at the Mushrik who collapsed in front of him, he said he looked at him and his face was smashed or split like being hit with a whip. Then the Ansaris came and this was related to the Rasool (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam). He said: I believe that is from the third heaven (i.e. angels) [In Sahih Muslim]
In another incident the angels fought in Gazwatul Khunduq (the Battle of the Ditch). Allah sent His Angels
In Surah Al-Ahzaab (33:9), Allah has stated:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ جَاءتْكُمْ جُنُودٌ فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيحًا وَجُنُودًا لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا وَكَانَ اللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرًا
O you who believe! Remember Allah’s Favour to you, when there came against you hosts, and We sent against them a wind and forces that you saw not (i.e. troops of angels during the battle of Al Ahzaab (the Confederates)). And Allah is Ever All-Seer of what you do.
Hadith in Al-Suhah and other sources that Jibreel came to the Prophet Muhammed (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) after returning from the ditches and on Jibreel's face were traces of dirt, and the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) was making ghusl. He said to the Rasool: "Have you put down your weapons and we did not put down our weapons." He (Jibreel) then pointed in the direction of Bani Quraitha (tribe of Jews in Medina) and told the Messenger (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) that Allah commanded him to fight them as they had betrayed the Prophet and broke the treaty that they had with him. [This is found in Al Bukhari]
14. Their protection of the Prophet Muhammed (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam)
Abu Hurairah (radi’Allahu anhu) said: Abu Jahl said: Does Muhammed besoil his face in your midst? They said "yes". He (Jahl) said: I swear by Lat and Uzza, if I see him do that I will stab him in the neck and cover his face with dirt. He said: Muhammed came and he was making salat and he (Abu Jahl) tried to step on his neck but then he shrank back from it. They said to him, 'What's wrong with you?' He said that it was like between him and the Messenger there was a ditch of fire and shock or like power. The Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said, 'If he had come close to me, the Angels would have seized him limb by limb. [In Sahih Muslim. It was also narrated in Sahih Al-Bukhari by many different chains of narration than Muslim's narration. Bukhari's version is in the Book of Tafseer.]
15. Their protection of pious worshippers, helping them and getting them out of difficult circumstances
Allah, ta'ala, sends the angels for protection of some pious worshipers other than the prophets and messengers (alayhim salam), and this is what happened to one pious person and his story is related in the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir regarding the ayah in An Naml: 62 which says:
In Surah An-Naml (27:62), Allah has stated:
أَمَّن يُجِيبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكْشِفُ السُّوءَ وَيَجْعَلُكُمْ خُلَفَاء الْأَرْضِ أَإِلَهٌ مَّعَ اللَّهِ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ
Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls on Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth generation after generation? Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? Little is that you remember!
About it, he said:
Al Hafith Ibn "Asaakir, in his biography of a man, related to him by Abu Bakr Muhammad Ad-Dainuri, known as Ad-Diqi As-Soufi, said: "I was riding on my mule from Dimashq (Damascus) to the country of Az-Zubdaani and was accompanied that time by a man. We came to a choice of roads, one of which was obviously not frequently traveled. The man with me turned and said to me: 'take this road as it is closer'. I said, 'There is no good in it for me.' He said, 'It's closer,' so we started down this road which eventually ended in a lonely forsaken place, that was rugged and strewn with rocks - a road-less terrain that was difficult to travel. It was a little valley and there were many murdered bodies strewn about. He said to me, 'Hold onto the head of the mule until you dismount; so I dismounted. He then rolled up his sleeves, gathered up his thobe and took out his knife with the intent of killing me. I ran away from him and he followed me, and kaashdathu Allah and I said take my mule and everything on it he said it's mine and I want to kill you. I told him to fear Allah and His punishment but he did not heed this warning, so I gave up. I said I want you to leave me just enough time to make rak'atain. He said, 'hurry up'. So I stood for making salat but I was tongue-tied or faltered in my recitation of Qur'an and so nervous that I could not remember one letter from it. So I just stood there standing and confused and baffled. The bandit said, 'Haiyya - let's go, finish up'. Allah allowed the words to roll of my tongue {Is not He Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil . . . } . No sooner had I said these words when a rider on horseback entered the mouth of the valley and in his hand was a spear. He threw it at the bandit and his aim was not faulty -- his target fell to the ground, then I caught hold of the horseman and said, "By Allah, who are you?" He said, I am a messenger (sent by) the one Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil. [Subhaan’Allahi, we need to memorize that ayah and the one before it and after, insha’Allah, so that we can say it in our salat]
16. The angels witness the Salat ul Janazah (funeral prayers) of the good Muslims
The Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said regarding Saad bin Ma'ath: "He is the one who shook the Throne, and the gates (doors) of the skies were opened for him, 70,000 angels witnessed this, they hugged him tightly and then released him. [Narrated by An-Nisaa`i from Ibn Omar with Isnad Sahih.]
17. They shade the Martyrs with their wings
Jabir bin Abdullah (radi’Allahu anhum) related that when his father's mutilated body was brought and placed before the Prophet Muhammed (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) he wanted to look under the thobe covering his father's face . He was crying but some of his people told me not to do this. The Prophet Muhammed (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said to him: "Don't do this"; and his aunt Fatima cried. The Prophet Muhammed (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: Whether you cry or not, the angels continue to cover and protect him with their wings until they will raise him up." [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Chapter "Covering of the Angels Over the Martyrs. Also version is found in Riyadh-us-Saliheen, Vol. 2, p. 635 (English Version).]
18.The angels who come with the Tabut (Box of Fire)
In Surah Al Baqarah (2:248), Allah has stated:
وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نِبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ آيَةَ مُلْكِهِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ التَّابُوتُ فِيهِ سَكِينَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَبَقِيَّةٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ آلُ مُوسَى وَآلُ هَارُونَ تَحْمِلُهُ الْمَلآئِكَةُ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لآيَةً لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
And their Prophet (Samuel – Alayhi salam) said to them: “Verily! The sign of His kingdom is that there shall come to you At-Tabut (a wooden box), wherein is Sakinah (tranquillity) from your Lord and a remnant of that which Musa (alayhi salam) and Hurun (alayhi salam) left behind carried by the angels. Verily, in this is a sign for you if you are indeed believers.
From Tafsir Ibn Kathir:
﴿وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نِبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ ءَايَةَ مُلْكِهِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ التَّابُوتُ فِيهِ سَكِينَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَبَقِيَّةٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ءَالُ مُوسَى وَءَالُ هَـرُونَ تَحْمِلُهُ الْمَلَـئِكَةُ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لأَيَةً لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴾
(248. And their Prophet said to them: "Verily! The sign of His kingdom is that there shall come to you At-Tabut, wherein is Sakinah (peace and reassurance) from your Lord and a remnant of that which Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) left behind, carried by the angels. Verily, in this is a sign for you if you are indeed believers.)
Their Prophet then proclaimed, "The sign of the blessings of Talut's kingship over you is that Allah will give you back the Tabut (wooden box) that has been taken from you.'' Allah said:
﴿فِيهِ سَكِينَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ﴾
(wherein is Sakinah from your Lord) meaning, peace (or grace) and reassurance. `Abdur-Razzaq stated that Qatadah said:
﴿فِيهِ سَكِينَةٌ﴾
(wherein is Sakinah) means grace. In addition, Ar-Rabi` said that Sakinah means mercy. This is also the meaning given by Ibn `Abbas, as Al-`Awfi narrated.
Allah then said:
﴿وَبَقِيَّةٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ءَالُ مُوسَى وَءَالُ هَـرُونَ﴾
(...and a remnant of that which Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) left behind,)
Ibn Jarir related that Ibn `Abbas said about this Ayah:
﴿وَبَقِيَّةٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ءَالُ مُوسَى وَءَالُ هَـرُونَ﴾
(...and a remnant of that which Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) left behind, ) Meaning, Moses' staff and the remnants of the Tablets. This is the same Tafsir of Qatadah, As-Suddi, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and `Ikrimah, who added, "And also the Torah.'' `Abdur-Razzaq said that he asked Ath-Thawri about the meaning of,
﴿وَبَقِيَّةٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ءَالُ مُوسَى وَءَالُ هَـرُونَ﴾
(...and a remnant of that which Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) left behind,)
Ath-Thawri said, "Some said that it contained a pot of manna and the remnants of the Tablets, while some others said that it contained (Moses') staff and two shoes (and refer to 20:12).''
Allah then said:
﴿تَحْمِلُهُ الْمَلَـئِكَةُ﴾
(...carried by the angels.)
Ibn Jurayj stated that Ibn `Abbas said, "The angels came down while carrying the Tabut between the sky and the earth, until they placed it before Talut while the people were watching.'' As-Suddi said, "The Tabut was brought to Talut's house, so the people believed in the prophethood of Sham`un (Simeon) and obeyed Talut''
The Prophet then said:
﴿إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لأَيَةً لَّكُمْ﴾
(Verily, in this is a sign for you) testifying to my truth in what I was sent with, my prophethood, and my command to you to obey Talut,
﴿إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ﴾
(if you are indeed believers. ) in Allah and the Hereafter.''
19. Their protection of Makkah and Madinah from the Dajjal
When the Dajjal comes out he will enter every country except Makkah and Madinah because of the protection of the angels. This is an established fact recorded in Sahih Muslim and Sunan Abu Daoud and At-Tirmidhi. The Dajjal said ‘I am the Massieh Ad-Dajjal, and I will soon be permitted to leave this place; I will emerge and travel about the earth. In 40 nights I will pass through every town (valley) except Makkah and Tayiba, as they are forbidden to me completely. Everytime I want to enter either one of them an angel meets me with an unsheathed sword in his hand and will prevent me from entering. At every opening of the city are angels guarding it. I said (Ad-Dari`) the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said as he struck his staff on the minbar (pulpit) : “This is Tayiba, this is Tayiba, this is Tayiba!” (i.e. Madinah) [In Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 9, p.75. Book of Fitan, from the hadith of Fatima bint Qais from the story of Tamion; In Sahih Muslim, Vol.1, p. 108, Book of Faith]
Al-Bukhari narrated from Abi Bakara that the Prophet Muhammed (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: The terror caused from the Masieh Ad-Dajjal will not enter Madinah. It has on that day 7 gates and there will be 2 angels guarding every gate. [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol 1, p. 28; Chapter Haram al-Madinah]
Also in Sahih Bukhari from Abu Hurairah (radi’Allahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: "There are angels at the entrances to Madinah; neither the plague nor the Dajjal will enter it, insha`Allah".
There is no country that the Dajjal will not step into except Makkah and Medina where there will be no entrance that doesn't have lines of angels it guarding it." [In Sunan At-Tirmidhi and Al-Bukhari and Muslim from Anas ibn Malik (radi’Allahu anhum).
20. Isa ibnu Maryam (alayhi salam) will descend accompanied by two angels
Isa ibn Maryam (alayhi salam) will descend in the last days near the Eastern white Minarat in Damascus clad in two saffron colored garments (Mihr and Dateen (Al-Mahr & Datan: two garments dyed with saffron another type of dye) with his two hands resting on the wings of two angels. [In Sahih Muslim from Nawwas Bin Sam'an ~ may Allah be pleased with him ~ and in Sunan At-Tirmidhi]
21. The angels spread their wings over Sham
It is reported by Zaid ibn Thaabit Al-Ansari (radi’Allahu anhu) said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) say: “O praise to Sham, O praise to Sham”. They (the sahabah who were with him at the time) asked, O Messenger of Allah, why is that? He answered: “Allah's angels spread out their wings over Sham.”
[Sham (Arabic: ماش), al-Sham, or Bilad al-Sham, a region in the Middle East partially including Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and Jordan]
The Role of the Angels amongst the Disbelievers
The angels do not like the disbelievers, or criminals, or oppressors.
1. They bring down Allah’s punishment on the disbelievers
When the disbelieving people ignore the Messengers sent by Allah and continue in their disbelief, then Allah sends down His angels to carry out His Punishment as can be seen in the following ayat:
Surah Hud (11:77- 83)
وَلَمَّا جَاءتْ رُسُلُنَا لُوطًا سِيءَ بِهِمْ وَضَاقَ بِهِمْ ذَرْعًا وَقَالَ هَـذَا يَوْمٌ عَصِيبٌ {77}
وَجَاءهُ قَوْمُهُ يُهْرَعُونَ إِلَيْهِ وَمِن قَبْلُ كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ هَـؤُلاء بَنَاتِي هُنَّ أَطْهَرُ لَكُمْ فَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَلاَ تُخْزُونِ فِي ضَيْفِي أَلَيْسَ مِنكُمْ رَجُلٌ رَّشِيدٌ {78}
قَالُواْ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا لَنَا فِي بَنَاتِكَ مِنْ حَقٍّ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَعْلَمُ مَا نُرِيدُ {79}
قَالَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِي بِكُمْ قُوَّةً أَوْ آوِي إِلَى رُكْنٍ شَدِيدٍ {80}
قَالُواْ يَا لُوطُ إِنَّا رُسُلُ رَبِّكَ لَن يَصِلُواْ إِلَيْكَ فَأَسْرِ بِأَهْلِكَ بِقِطْعٍ مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ وَلاَ يَلْتَفِتْ مِنكُمْ أَحَدٌ إِلاَّ امْرَأَتَكَ إِنَّهُ مُصِيبُهَا مَا أَصَابَهُمْ إِنَّ مَوْعِدَهُمُ الصُّبْحُ أَلَيْسَ الصُّبْحُ بِقَرِيبٍ {81}
فَلَمَّا جَاء أَمْرُنَا جَعَلْنَا عَالِيَهَا سَافِلَهَا وَأَمْطَرْنَا عَلَيْهَا حِجَارَةً مِّن سِجِّيلٍ مَّنضُودٍ {82}
مُّسَوَّمَةً عِندَ رَبِّكَ وَمَا هِيَ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ بِبَعِيدٍ {83}
And when Our Messengers came to Lut (Lot), he was grieved on their account and felt himself straitened for them (lest the town people should approach them to commit sodomy with them). He said: "This is a distressful day." {77}
And his people came rushing towards him, and since aforetime they used to commit crimes (sodomy, etc.), he said: "O my people! Here are my daughters (i.e. the daughters of my nation) they are purer for you (if you marry them lawfully). So fear Allah and degrade me not as regards my guests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man?" {78}
They said: "Surely you know that we have neither any desire nor in need of your daughters, and indeed you know well what we want!" {79}
He said: "Would that I had strength (men) to overpower you, or that I could betake myself to some powerful support (to resist you)." {80}
They (angels) said: "O Lut (Lot)! Verily, we are the Messengers from your Lord! They shall not reach you! So travel with your family in a part of the night, and let not any of you look back, but your wife (will remain behind), verily, the punishment which will afflict them, will afflict her. Indeed, morning is their appointed time. Is not the morning near?" {81}
So when Our Commandment came, We turned (the towns of Sodom in Palestine) upside down, and rained on them stones of baked clay, piled up; {82}
Marked from your Lord, and they are not ever far from the Zalimoon (polytheists, evil-doers, etc.) {83}
And in Surah Al Imran (3:86-87), Allah has stated:
كَيْفَ يَهْدِي اللّهُ قَوْمًا كَفَرُواْ بَعْدَ إِيمَانِهِمْ وَشَهِدُواْ أَنَّ الرَّسُولَ حَقٌّ وَجَاءهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ وَاللّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ
How shall Allah guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and after they bore witness that the Messenger (Muhammad) is true and after clear proofs had come unto them? And Allah guides not the people who are Zalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers).
أُوْلَـئِكَ جَزَآؤُهُمْ أَنَّ عَلَيْهِمْ لَعْنَةَ اللّهِ وَالْمَلآئِكَةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ
They are those whose recompense is that on them (rests) the Curse of Allah, of the angels, and of all mankind.
2. The angels curse not only the disbelievers, but also those who commit certain sins
a) A woman who refuses to have marital relations with her husband without a valid reason
Narrated Abu Hurairah (radi’Allahu anhu): Allah's Apostle (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said, “If a husband calls his wife to his bed (i.e. to have sexual relations) and she refuses and causes him to sleep in anger, the angels will curse her till morning.” [Sahih Al Bukhari]
b) The angels also curse the one who points/motions to his Muslim brother with a weapon i.e. something that threatens their life
This means one should not point a weapon, even in jest, for fear of accidentally harming or even killing a fellow Muslim.
Abu Hurairah (radi’Allahu anhu) reported: Abu'l-Qasim (the kunya of Allah's Messenger, sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam), said: He who pointed a weapon towards his brother, the angels invoke curse upon him even if he is his real brother so long as he does not abandon it (the pointing of weapon towards one's brother Muslim). [Sahih Muslim]
c) They curse whoever insults the Messenger (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam)
The Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: "Whoever insults my companions has the curse of Allah on him and the Angels and people collectively.
d) The angles curse those who make settlements before applying Allah’s laws (i.e. without Islamic laws, Hukm)
e) They curse those who innovate in the religion of Allah
'Asim reported: I asked Anas bin Malik (radi’Allahu anhum) whether Allah's Messenger (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) had declared Medina as sacred. He said: Yes (the area) between so and so. He who made any innovation in it, and further said to me: It is something serious to make any innovation in it (and he who does it) there is upon him the curse of Allah, and that of the angels and of all the people, Allah will not accept from him on the Day of Resurrection either obligatory acts or the supererogatory acts. Ibn Anas (radi’Allahu anhu) said: Or he who accommodates an innovator. [Sahih Muslim]
Abu Hurairah (radi’Allahu anhu)) reported Allah's Apostle (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) as saying: Medina is a sacred territory, so he who made any innovation in it, or gave protection to an innovator, there is upon him the curse of Allah, that of the angels and that of all the people. There would not be accepted on the Day of Resurrection either obligatory acts or supererogatory acts from him. [Sahih Muslim]
Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib (radi’Allahu anhu): Qays ibn Abbad and Ashtar went to Ali and said to him: Did the Apostle of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) give you any instruction about anything for which he did not give any instruction to the people in general? He said: No, except what is contained in this document of mine. Musaddad said: He then took out a document. Ahmad said: A document from the sheath of his sword. It contained: The lives of all Muslims are equal; they are one hand against others; the lowliest of them can guarantee their protection. Beware, a Muslim must not be killed for an infidel, nor must one who has been given a covenant be killed while his covenant holds. If anyone introduces an innovation, he will be responsible for it. If anyone introduces an innovation or gives shelter to a man who introduces an innovation (in religion), he is cursed by Allah, by His angels, and by all the people. Musaddad said: Ibn Abu Urubah's version has: He took out a document. [Sunan Abu Daoud]
3. The disbelievers demands to see the angels
In Surah Al Isra (17:94), Allah has stated:
وَمَا مَنَعَ النَّاسَ أَن يُؤْمِنُواْ إِذْ جَاءهُمُ الْهُدَى إِلاَّ أَن قَالُواْ أَبَعَثَ اللّهُ بَشَرًا رَّسُولاً
And nothing prevented men from believing when the guidance came to them, except that they said: "Has Allah sent a man as (His) Messenger?"
And in Surah Al Muminoon (23:34):
وَلَئِنْ أَطَعْتُم بَشَراً مِثْلَكُمْ إِنَّكُمْ إِذاً لَّخَاسِرُونَ
If you were to obey a human being like yourselves, then verily! You indeed would be losers.
Surah Al Qamar (54:24):
فَقَالُوا أَبَشَراً مِّنَّا وَاحِداً نَّتَّبِعُهُ إِنَّا إِذاً لَّفِي ضَلَالٍ وَسُعُرٍ
For they said: "A man! Alone from among us, that we are to follow? Truly, then we should be in error and distress or madness!"
Surah Al Furqan (25:21):
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ لِقَاءنَا لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْنَا الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَوْ نَرَى رَبَّنَا لَقَدِ اسْتَكْبَرُوا فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ وَعَتَوْ عُتُوّاً كَبِيراً
And those who expect not for a Meeting with Us (i.e. those who deny the Day of Resurrection and the life of the Hereafter), say: "Why are not the angels sent down to us, or why do we not see our Lord?" Indeed they think too highly of themselves, and are scornful with great pride.
4. Why did Allah choose not to send angels as His Messengers?
a) Allah chose humans and not angels to be His Messengers because it is a greater trial and test.
It would have been easier for the humans to trust and believe in an angel as a Messenger of Allah, so Allah tested them by sending a Messenger from among their own kind instead.
'Iyad b. Himar reported that Allah's Messenger (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam), while delivering a sermon one day, said: Behold, my Lord commanded me that I should teach you which you do not know and which He has taught me today. (He has instructed thus): The property which I have conferred upon them is lawful for them. I have created My servants as one having a natural inclination to the worship of Allah but it is Satan who turns them away from the right religion and he makes unlawful what has been declared lawful for them and he commands them to ascribe partnership with Re, although he has no justification for that. And verily, Allah looked towards the people of the world and He showed hatred for the Arabs and the non-Arabs, but with the exception of some remnants from the People of the Book. And He (further) said: I have sent thee (the Holy Prophet) in order to put you to test and put (those to test) through you. And I sent the Book to you which cannot be washed away by water, so that you may recite it while in the state of wakefulness or sleep. Verily, Allah commanded me to burn (kill) the Quraish. I said: My Lord, they would break my head (like the tearing) of bread, and Allah said: You turn them out as they turned you out, you fight against them and We shall help you in this, you should spend and you would be conferred upon. You send an army and I would send an army five times greater than that. Fight against those who disobey you along with those who obey you. The inmates of Paradise are three: One who wields authority and is just and fair, one who Is truthful and has been endowed with power to do good deeds. And the person who is merciful and kind hearted towards his relatives and to every pious Muslim, and one who does not stretch his hand in spite of having a large family to support. And He said: The inmates of Hell are five: the weak who lack power to (avoid evil), the (carefree) who pursue (everything irrespective of the fact that it is good or evil) and who do not have any care for their family or for their wealth. And those dishonest whose greed cannot be concealed even in the case of minor things. And the third. who betray you, morning and evening, in regard to your family and your property. He also made a mention of the miser and the liar and those who are in the habit of abusing people and using obscene and foul language. Abu Ghassan in his narration did not make mention of" Spend and there would be spent for you." (Sahih Muslim, Book #040, Hadith #6853)
b) This is also Allah’s tests for His Messengers to be noble of faith, a test for both the Messengers and the people.
In Surah Maryam (19:58), Allah has stated:
أُوْلَئِكَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ مِن ذُرِّيَّةِ آدَمَ وَمِمَّنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْرَائِيلَ وَمِمَّنْ هَدَيْنَا وَاجْتَبَيْنَا إِذَا تُتْلَى عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُ الرَّحْمَن خَرُّوا سُجَّداً وَبُكِيّاً
Those were they unto whom Allah bestowed His Grace from among the Prophets, of the offspring of Adam, and of those whom We carried (in the ship) with Nûh (Noah), and of the offspring of Ibrâhim (Abraham) and Israel and from among those whom We guided and chose. When the Verses of the Most Beneficent (Allah) were recited unto them, they fell down prostrating and weeping.
The position of the angels and their obedience in carrying out Allah’s commands
The angels do not possess the ability to sin or disobey; they are forever in a state or obedience and worship, carrying out Allah’s Commands
In Surah At-Tahreem (66:6), Allah has stated:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَاراً وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَائِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ شِدَادٌ لَا يَعْصُونَ اللَّهَ مَا أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ
O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not the commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded)
And in Surah An-Nahl (16:50):
يَخَافُونَ رَبَّهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ
They fear their Lord above them and do what they are commanded.
In Surah An-Anbiya (21:27), Allah has stated:
لَا يَسْبِقُونَهُ بِالْقَوْلِ وَهُم بِأَمْرِهِ يَعْمَلُونَ
They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His Command.
And Surah Maryam (19:64):
وَمَا نَتَنَزَّلُ إِلَّا بِأَمْرِ رَبِّكَ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِينَا وَمَا خَلْفَنَا وَمَا بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ نَسِيّاً
And we (angels) descend not except by the Command of your Lord (O Muhammad). To Him belongs what is before us and what is behind us, and what is between those two, and your Lord is never forgetful,
How do the angels worship Allah?
The angels make TASBEEH, they continuously praise Allah and their greatest dhikr, is their saying “SUBHAN’ALLAH, SUBHAN’ALLAH!!” (Glory be to Allah)
In Surah Ghafir (40:7), Allah has stated:
الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْماً فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَاتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ
Those (angels) who bear the Throne (of Allah) and those around it glorify the praises of their Lord, and believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah) (saying): "Our Lord! You comprehend all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who repent and follow Your Way, and save them from the torment of the blazing Fire!
In Surah Ash-Shura (42:5), Allah has stated:
تَكَادُ السَّمَاوَاتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِن فَوْقِهِنَّ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ أَلَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
Nearly the heavens might rent asunder from above them (by His Majesty), and the angels glorify the praises of their Lord, and ask for forgiveness for those on the earth, verily, Allah is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
In Surah An-Anbiya (21:20), Allah has stated:
يُسَبِّحُونَ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ لَا يَفْتُرُونَ
They (i.e. the angels) glorify His Praises night and day, (and) they never slacken (to do so).
In Surah As-Safaat (37:165-166), Allah has stated:
وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ الصَّافُّونَ
Verily, we (angels), we stand in rows for the prayers (as you Muslims stand in rows for your prayers);
وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ الْمُسَبِّحُونَ
Verily, we (angels), we are they who glorify (Allah’s Praises i.e. perform prayers).
The angels also make salat as can be seen in the ayah above (37:165) and from the following hadith from Sahih Al Bukhari:
"Why don't you form rows like the angels do with their Lord?" And when he was asked about how they formed rows, he said: "They complete the row one at a time beginning with the first, and then second, etc. [Bukhari]
The angels make Hajj around a Ka’bah in the 7th Heaven known as Baitul Ma’mur which is situated directly above the Ka’bah of our earth in Mecca, and if it were to fall it would fall directly on top of the Ka’bah in Mecca.
In Surah At-Tur (52:4), Allah has stated:
وَالْبَيْتِ الْمَعْمُورِ
And by the Bait-ul-Mamoor (the house over the heavens parable to the Kabah at Makkah, continuously visited by the angels);
From Tafsir Ibn Kathir on ayah 52:4 –
“And by Al-Bayt Al-Ma`mur”... In the Two Sahihs it is confirmed that the Messenger of Allah (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) said in the Hadith about Al-Isra', after ascending to the seventh heaven:
«ثُمَّ رُفِعَ بِي إِلَى الْبَيْتِ الْمَعْمُورِ، وَإِذَا هُوَ يَدْخُلُهُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ سَبْعُونَ أَلْفًا، لَا يَعُودُونَ إِلَيْهِ آخِرَ مَا عَلَيْهِم»
(“Then, I was taken to Al-Bayt Al-Ma`mur. It is visited every day by seventy thousand angels who will not come back to visit it again”.) The angels worship Allah in Al-Bayt Al-Ma`mur and perform Tawaf around it just as the people of the earth perform Tawaf around the Ka`bah. Al-Bayt Al-Ma`mur is the Ka`bah of those who reside in the seventh heaven. During the Isra' journey, the Prophet (sall’Allahu alayhi wasalam) saw Ibrahim Al-Khalil (alayhi salam), who was reclining with his back on Al-Bayt Al-Ma`mur. It was Ibrahim (alayhi salam) who built the Ka`bah on earth, and surely, the reward is compatible with the action. Al-Bayt Al-Ma`mur is parallel to the Ka`bah; every heaven has its own house of worship, which is also the direction of prayer for its residents. The house that is located in the lower heaven, is called Bayt Al-`Izzah. And Allah knows best.
The angels fear Allah and are humbled:
In Surah An-Anbiya (21:28), Allah has stated:
يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يَشْفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ارْتَضَى وَهُم مِّنْ خَشْيَتِهِ مُشْفِقُونَ
He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him.
The Relationship Between the Angels and the World and Mankind
We have said previously that the Angels are in constant worship of their Lord and that they obey His every command. This worship and obedience to His commands not only includes glorification of Him, prostration, etc., but also His commands include their link to the universe and mankind. Understand that it is a branch of that worship. Allah has told us, that their glorification and praise of Him and their exaltation for Him is but one of their duties. It also comprises carrying out or the execution of His wishes regarding His plans for the affairs of the universe and care for it, and care for His creations, movements and activities and what is in it of living things and inanimate bodies and laws and secrets of the universe. This involves the execution of His power over all of these creations. And the execution of His wishes in the area of “muraaqibah” – meaning guardianship or supervision over and registering (writing down) all that happens in the universe of voluntary and involuntary movements as the angels are given the responsibility of the heavens and the earth, and all voluntary and involuntary movements in the universe comes under their specialization as their Lord intends.
In Surah An-Nazi’aat (79:1-5), Allah has stated:
وَالنَّازِعَاتِ غَرْقًا {1}
وَالنَّاشِطَاتِ نَشْطًا {2}
وَالسَّابِحَاتِ سَبْحًا {3}
فَالسَّابِقَاتِ سَبْقًا {4}
فَالْمُدَبِّرَاتِ أَمْرًا {5}
By those (angels) who pull out (the souls of the disbelievers and the wicked) with great violence; {1}
By those (angels) who gently take out (the souls of the believers); {2}
And by those that swim along (i.e. angels or planets in their orbits, etc.) {3}
And by those that press forward as in a race (i.e. the angels or stars or the horses) {4}
And by those angels who arrange to do the Commands of their Lord, (so verily, you disbelievers will be called to account) {5}
And from Surah Adh Dhariat (51:4), Allah has stated:
فَالْمُقَسِّمَاتِ أَمْرًا
And those (angels) who distribute (provisions, rain, and other blessings) by (Allahs) Command