ISLAMIC STUDIES

Belief in the Existence of Angels

Believing in the existence of Angels is the second pillar of belief in Islam. Belief in angels is crucial to the faith of Islam. The Arabic word malak for Angels means "messenger". Allah says in the Quran: «Say,

"If there were settled, on earth, angels walking about in peace and quiet. We should certainly have sent them down from the heavens an angel for a messenger.'" (Isra, 17:95). Allah created them from Nur which means "light" as stated by Prophet Muhammad. "The angels were created from light; the Jinns were created from dark smokeless flames of fire". Angels are neither female nor male, and neither have families nor children. They do not eat, drink and sleep.

Angels are created solely for the purpose of praising and serving God. They never rebel or disobey Allah's commands. According to the Holy Quran, Angels do not possess freewill; they just worship God in faultless obedience. Muslims do not worship Angels since they have no power to do either good or harm, except by the Will of Allah.

Angels are loyal to the duties given to them and they will never transgress their boundaries. Some Angels continuously pray, some have the duty of protecting us, and others control natural occurrences such the winds, rain and snow. Some Angels have the duty of bringing revelations from God, glorifying God, recording every person's actions, and collecting souls at the time of death.

Angels have some special qualities. They are intangible beings hence we cannot see them. Compared to some other creatures, human sight is very limited. There are so many things we cannot see but we know of their existence. Not being able to see cannot be a reason for not believing. In the past, there were so many things we did not even know about, but today science has discovered their existence.

Every discovery opens a door to millions of new things that we do not know about. So we have no choice but to keep on learning. We can compare these examples to Angels or the Jinn. Angels can assume almost any form, completely real to the human eye, and can traverse a distance just as fast as light or even faster. The motion of the Angels and Jinns are not limited by space-time. In this universe, things such as power, strength, speed and time are variables. For example, an egg and a rock with the same size have different weights. Particles in the universe also travel at different speeds. Sound travels at a certain speed but light claims the championship by saying, "nothing can travel faster than me". If this is the case with matter, than how can we expect to see the Angels, Jinns or the spirits that travel much faster than light?

How Many Angels and Jinns are there?

Only Allah knows the total number of the Jinns and the Angels He has created. It is Allah that creates millions of living organisms in a drop of water. There are 4-5 million red blood cells in one millimetre cube of blood. So a creator that fits all these creatures in a tiny space can and will create Angels as many as the number of rain drops.

We only know about them to the extent that Allah tells us in His book, or His Messengers informs us. We are aware of certain number of Angels. We are familiar with the four great angels and a few others.

Archangels (the- four Great Angels):

Archangels are the highest order of Angels that are mostly mentioned in the Qur'an. They are considered to be closest to Allah in terms of servitude, as their meaning and purpose is more detailed than any other Angel. They are Jibril (Gabriel), Mikail (Michael), Israfil (Raphael), and Azrail.

Other Important Angels:

Kiraman Katibin are the angels who record the daily actions of human beings, one assigned to good deeds and the other to record the bad deeds of a person.

Munkar and Nakir are the angels who interrogate the dead in the grave prior to Judgment Day.

They question the dead about their good and bad deeds. In the qabir (grave), a believer always gives the correct answer to the questions, because he/she has learned and practiced these questions during her/his life. For practicing Muslims, questions such as, 'Who is your God?", 'what is your religion?' 'what is your book?' becomes easier to answer.

Malik is the angel who is the chief angel in charge of Hell.

Hazin is the angel who is responsible of guarding the gates of paradise. he plural of Hazin is.

"Hazene' which is mentioned in the Qur'an. As believers enter Paradise, they will be greeted by guardian angels at the gates of Paradise and welcomed with the statement, "You have done good things with your life, and now enter through these gates to eternity". Paradise is a place of eternal grace and beauty.

Benefits of Belief in Angels

Just as believing in Allah, resurrection and the Day of Judgment, there are great benefits in believing in angels. Belief in angels provides contentment and transforms feelings of violence to peace. Angels befriend human beings. They inspire peace into our hearts. Angels fill our hearts with the light of God. Also, angels act as a brake mechanism against sins. Knowing their existence and the fact that we are always being watched by them prevents us from committing evil deeds. This means that they bring discipline into our lives.

Angels and the Devil are Two Opposite Poles

Angels and the devil are two opposite poles representing good and evil which exists in human nature. Angels are the promoters and supporters of good in the universe. However, there are also devils on the opposite side that promote evil with deception and dishonesty. Allah is the possessor of perfection and he loves what is good. Allah does not wish evil upon any of us. He would never be cruel to His creation.

Nuh was a prophet who lived thousands of years ago. It was a time when people worshipped many idols for different purposes. Sometime before Nuh there were righteous people in the region. They simply helped others and guided them on the right way, but after they passed away, people tried to commemorate them by erecting their statues. After awhile, this led them to respect the statues even more, they began to worship them. They had no faith in Allah anymore because they had replaced Him with false Gods. Later on, children and young generations followed their fathers' footsteps.

Therefore Allah sent Nuh to guide them back onto the straight path.

Nuh was a patient man. He spoke to his people about the mysteries of life and the wonders of the universe. He tried to make the people think about how the night regularly followed the day and that the balance between these opposites was designed by Allah, the Almighty. He explained, "the night gives coolness and rest while the day gives warmth and awakens activity. The sun encourages growth, keeping all plants and animals alive, while the moon and stars assist in the reckoning of time, direction and seasons. Allah is the absolute owner of everything". Prophet Nuh continued preaching throughout his long life. He lived for 950 years. Some commentators proposed that this could be the total age of his tribe. Either way, we are amazed how Nuh continued with patience delivering the message throughout hundreds of years.

Some people, especially the poor accepted his message but rulers and the rich did not. They always tried to find excuses. They did not want to believe in him so the chieftains of the nonbelievers among his people said: "We see that you are but a man like ourselves." (Quran, 11:27). In the next stage, when they saw that Nuh's message was accepted by the poor and common laborers they accused those followers as blind followers of Nuh (Qur'an, 11:25-27). Then, the nonbelievers did not want to sit together with the believers. They said to Prophet Nuh that if he could have dismissed others they might have listened to him, but Nuh rejected (Qu'ran, 11:29-31).

On the other hand, Nuh's enemies were not only the rulers but, his own sons and wife also refused accept the divine message of Allah. Prophets were all sincere in their duty. Hence Nuh was devoted on spreading the message of Allah. Unfortunately, his people were extremely ignorant. They refused to listen as they blocked their ears, and sometimes covered their head with clothes. On some occasions they would run away from Nuh in order to avoid listening to him. Prophet Nuh felt extremely disappointed and was saddened by the whole affair. One day, Allah ordered him to build an ark. He did not question why? Nuh began to build an ark on land as a sign of obeying Allah's order. It was quite strange to his people. They soon began to ridicule him and his ship but Nuh had a warning for them. "You are making fun of us now," he said, "but soon we will see who suffers the severe punishment of God!"

When the ark was completed, it began to rain continuously and the water levels began to rise dangerously. Allah told Nuh to go into the ship, together with those who embraced him. He also took a pair (male and female) of each animal into the ark. Water levels rose over the valleys and hills.

All lands were flooded. Nuh saw one of his sons who had refused to board the ship and anxiously called out to him, "O my son, climb on board with us so that your fate does not become like the unbelievers'." But his son refused. Instead, he argued: "I shall climb a high mountain. The water cannot reach me; hence I will be safe up there". "Only those who listen to Allah can find protection!" Nuh cried out to his son. But suddenly, a huge wave came and it took many people away. Nuh's son was among those who drowned.

It was said: "O Earth! Swallow up your water, and O sky! Withhold (your rain)." The water was diminished (made to subside) and the Decree (of Allah) was fulfilled (the destruction of the people of Nuh and it (the ship) rested on Mount Judi, and it was said: "Away with the people who are Zaliman (polytheists, and wrongdoing)!"

Prophet Nuh called upon his Lord and said, "O my Lord! Verily, my son is of my family! Certainly, Your Promise is true, and You are the Most Just of the judges." He said: "O Noah! Surely, he is not of your family; verily, his work is unrighteous, so ask not of Me that of which you have no knowledge! I admonish you, lest you be one of the ignorant."

Nuh said: "O my Lord! I seek refuge with You from asking You that of which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have Mercy on me, I would indeed be one of the losers." It was said: "O Nuh! Come down (from the ship) with peace from Us and blessings on you and on the people who are with you (and on some of their offspring), but (there will be other) people to whom We shall grant their pleasures (for a time), but in the end a painful torment will reach them from Us." (Quran, 11:41-48).

The Quran then concludes Nuh's story. We do not know how his affairs with his people continued. All we know or can ascertain is that on his deathbed he advised his son to worship Allah: alone, Nuh then passed away (Ibn Kathir).

Prophet Salih was sent to the people of Thamud. They lived in huge dwellings up in the hills and rocks. Many houses were carved into the rocks. They had beautiful gardens, plants, date palms and many fruit trees. The landscape of their towns was well structured with irrigation channels running through them. They were proud of living a life of luxury.

Salih was renowned for his knowledge and wisdom. He had the utmost respect of his people until he became a prophet. Unfortunately, people of Thamud were idol worshippers. Salih began to invite them to worship the one and only God and asked them to renounce the idols. But they refused (Quran, 11:62). Salih continued to invite them to the message of One God. However, most people did not believe him. Only poor and weak accepted the message. The leaders of the tribe proposed to prophet Salih, if he was a real prophet he needed to perform a miracle that involved a female camel.

Allah granted Salih this miracle and a large female camel appeared and came down from the mountain. According to Qur'anic scholars the people of Thamud gathered at their meeting place where prophet Salih came to invite them to Allah. He reminded them of the favors Allah had granted upon them. Then pointing to a rock, they demanded: "Ask your Lord to make a female camel from that rock for us. She must be 10 months pregnant, tall and attractive," Salih shouted: "Look now! If Allah sends you what you have requested and just as you have described, will you believe in that which I have come to you with and have faith in the message I have been sent with?" They replied: "Yes."

Allah ordered the distant rock to bring forth a large ten month pregnant female camel. They were all amazed with this great miracle. A camel appeared out of the rock! Salih knew that people were jealous about his camel this is why he told them: "O my people! This female camel sent by Allah is a sign to you, leave her alone to graze on Allah’s earth, and touch her not with evil lest a near torment will seize you." (Quran, 11:64).

For awhile, the people of Thamud let the camel drink freely, but in their hearts they hated it. However, the miraculous appearance of the unique camel caused many to become Salih's follower. However, stubborn people did not accept the message of Salih that camel from Allah. Soon they decided to kill the camel and they did. The killers were welcomed by most people as heroes. After the incident, Salih told them: "Enjoy life for three more days then the punishment will descend upon you." He thought they might feel remorseful and beg for forgiveness from Allah.

"Why three days?" they asked. "Let the punishment come as hastily as possible." He pleaded with them:

"My people, why do you hasten to evil rather than good? Why do you not ask pardon of Allah so that you may receive mercy?" They replied: "We see your presence and that of your followers as bringing evil on us." (Qur'an, 27:45-53). Three days after Salih's warning, dark clouds appeared in the sky; thunderbolts filled the air, followed by a horrific earthquake. The land was violently shaken, destroying all living creatures in it. Neither their sturdy buildings nor their rock homes could protect them (Qur'ran, 7:73-79).

Ibrahim is regarded as the father of the three great monotheistic religions. Judaism, Christianity and Islam. We do not know exactly where he was born but he lived in a region between current Syria and Turkey. His father Azer used to make idols from wood and stone and sold them in the market. There were some other faith groups in the region as well. They used to worship the sun, the moon and the stars. He stood against the way of life in his community. Since he was a small boy, his heart was satisfied with wisdom and believing in Allah. (Quran, 21.51). He could not understand why people worshipped something that could not harm anyone or provide benefits to them. He constantly tried to make people contemplate on such issues. One night Ibrahim left his house to go to a mountain. He looked at the sky and gazed upon the stars which were worshipped by some people in his tribe. He considered what was beyond the moon, stars and the planets. They were creatures themselves, appearing and disappearing; none of them could be the Lord of everything as the real Creator is away from all imperfections. (Qur'an, 6:75-83).

Moreover, he began to question his father and people around him. Why were they worshipping the idols (Quran, 21:52-56)? He approached his father and kindly told him that he loved him. Then he gently asked why he worshipped lifeless objects that could not hear, see or protect him. The response was not positive. Azer rejected and threatened Ibrahim (Qur'an, 19:43-48).

His father's harsh treatment did not stop Ibrahim from delivering the message of God. He was determined since this was the main characteristic of prophets. Prophets were determined to spread the truth to everyone regardless of who the person was. Ibrahim explained to them the beauty of Allah’s creation, His power and wisdom, creation of mankind, provision of food and drink and who will cause them to die and be resurrected again. Only Allah could help them not idols (Qur an, 26:69-82, 22:16-23).

Then Ibrahim left his father and his people and went to the main temple. There were many idols in it.

He began destroying all of them but he spared the biggest one hanging the axe on its neck (Qur'an, 37:91, 92). When people saw the destruction of their idols they began searching for the perpetrator.

Then they realized that only Ibrahim could have done this since he did not like the idols. Finally, they found Ibrahim and asked him: "Did you destroy our idols?" He pointed at the idol with an axe around the neck. The biggest one could have done it, the axe is with it. People said to him "don't you know that idols cannot do such things, do not be foolish!" Ibrahim replied: "Do you then worship besides Allah things that can neither help nor harm you? It is upon you, and upon that which you worship besides Allah. Have you then no sense?" (Qur'an, 21:59-67).

This was a big challenge posed against their faith. They were shocked but did not accept the truth. Their anger against Ibrahim grew by the minute. Their hearts were full of hatred and fury that raged against brahim. Emperor Nimrud was Ibrahim's biggest enemy. He commanded that Ibrahim to be arrested.

What sort of punishment did Nimrud had in mind for Ibrahim. It was decided that Ibrahim be cast into the biggest fire they could make. All the citizens of Babylon were ordered to gather wood. They were told that this wpuld be a great service to their gods. They collected firewood as much as they could. Then they ignites an enormous fire. They brought a catapult which they would use to throw Ibrahim into the fire. Ibrahim was placed on the catapult as his hands and feet were tied up. The horrific blaze was ready with its flames reaching the sky. People stood away from the pit because of the intense heat. Finally the order was given by Nimrud and Ibrahim was thrown into the blazing fire. Everyone watched from a distance as Ibrahim fell into the fire. No one was able to get close. They all believed that Ibrahim would be turn into ashes within a fraction of time.

Allah helped his beloved Prophet. Ibrahim walked out of the fire as he was walking out of a flower garden. The miracle brought shamed upon the nonbelievers but it did not drive out their hatred for Ibrahim. When Ibrahim realized that no one else was going to accept his invitation, he decided to emigrate. He left his people and traveled with his wife to Ur, then to Harran, and then to Palestine and Mecca (Qur'an, 29:26).

Hajar (Hagar) gave birth to her first son Ismail (Ishmael) when Ibrahim was an old man. Zam Zam water was a blessing for the little baby, his family and all believers. Ismail was a young boy when Ibrahim began the construction of Ka'bah. Hajj was also a tradition of prophet Ibrahim. Today, it is one of the pillars of Islam and every year millions of believers gather to perform Hajj at Ka'bah.

Ismail was a young boy and very much loved by his father. Allah tested the great Prophet ibrahim by ordering him to sacrifice his own son. Ismail showed the submission and devotion to his father. The time had come and Ibrahim raised his knife. Then Allah ordered Ibrahim not to sacrifice Ismail.

Allah had blessed him by sending a sacrificial ram. This tradition continued for thousands of years in the Muslim world. Eid al-Adh'a (Qurban festival) is the second biggest celebration in the Muslim In following years, Allah blessed Ibrahim with Ishaq (Isaac) from his first wife Sara. Both Ismail and Ishaq were given the mission of Prophethood. Prophet Muhammad came from the family tree of Ismail.