Muhammad Bin Ibrahim At Tuwejri in his book titled “Fiqh Ul Quloob” (“Understanding of the hearts”) beautifully presents Allah’s (swt) numerous and wonderful creations. The objective is to draw attention from the concrete realities of this world and lead to the spiritual and abstract reality, and, hence, for man to find his role and purpose of life.
Their Unique Physique and Traits
“All the praises and thanks be to Allah the only Originator (or the only Creator) of the heavens and the earth, Who made the angels messengers with wings, two or three or four. He increases in creation what He Wills. Verily Allah is able to do all things.” (Fatir 35:1)
Allah (swt) Al-Hakeem (The All-Wise) creates things deliberately. His designs are not purposeless. Similarly, angels are a wondrous creation of Allah (swt) of the unseen world. This unseen world runs parallel to the seen world.
Angels have been created from light (Nur). Their intrinsic nature (Jiballat) is to obey Allah (swt). They are different from humans on the basis of their actions, traits, and physique. In terms of status, they are honourable creations. They worship Allah (swt) and do not possess divinity or Ruboobiyat traits.
Their Consistent Worship
“… And those Who are near Him (i.e. the angels) are not too proud to worship Him nor are they weary (of His worship) They (i.e. the angels) glorify His Praises night and day, (and) they never slacken (to do so).” (Al-Anbiya 21:19-20)
Angels perform without a break. They worship and offer Tasbeeh round the clock. Allah (swt) has granted them qualities for absolutely submitting to Him, without fatigue and boredom. They are neither lazy, nor reject any command, nor delay its implementation. They have not been granted free will and thus no choice to do so.
Their Absolute Obedience and Roles
“… angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not (from executing) the commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded.” (At-Tahrim 66:6)
No one can enumerate the angels as only Allah (swt) knows their exact numbers. Some of the important names are as follows:
Jibrael (as) – he is responsible for bringing Wahi to Allah’s (swt) messengers and Anbiya.
Mikail (as) – he is responsible for the number of drops (water) and plantation on Allah’s (swt) earth.
Israfil (as) – he has been assigned the duty to blow the trumpet to announce the Day of Judgment.
Malik – he is the guard of Hell.
Ridwan – he is the guard of Heaven.
Malik ul Maut – he is responsible to grasp the soul at the time of death.
Munkar and Nakeer – they are responsible for questioning the soul in the grave regarding his Lord, his Deen and his Prophet (sa).
Some angels are responsible for writing down the deeds done by humans and the words they say. They are also responsible for protection of human life. Some are responsible for the fetus in the womb. They are commanded to write his provision (Rizq) and whether he will be successful or wretched in the Hereafter.
Huge and mighty angels carry the Arsh of Allah (swt). The distance between their ear lobes and shoulders is the travel time of seven hundred years. They glorify the praises of their Lord, believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who repent and follow His way.
And there are numerous more of which only Allah (swt) Al Aleem (The All- Knowledgeable) knows.
Their Task as Record Scribes
“But verily, over you (are appointed angels in charge of humankind) to watch you, Kiraman (honourable) Katibin – writing down (your deeds). They know all that you do.” (Al-Infitar 82:10-12)
“For him (each person), there are angels in succession before and behind him. They guard him by the command of Allah.” (Ar-Raad 13:11)
Allah (swt) Al-Muqtadir (The All Powerful) does not need the angels’ facilitation to keep an eye on His creations. Neither He is in need of the angels to protect His creation. But it is Allah’s (swt) Sunnah (tradition) to create a design and allot roles to its various creations. This is for the humankind to learn from to plan and organize their lives and tasks.
Hence, the angels serve as protectors and scribes of human deeds and dialogues, managing constant surveillance by Allah’s (swt) command. This is your Rabb’s care for you. Subhan Allahi Wa bi Hamdihi.
Angels keep asking Allah (swt) for the next command to carry. The Momins are exclusively facilitated by angels, whereas others are not.
Their Task as Soul Collectors
“By those (angels) who pull out (the souls of the disbelievers and the wicked) with great violence. By those (angels) who gently take out (the souls of the believers) and by those that swim along (angels) and by those that press forward as in a race (angels) and by those angels who arrange to do the commands of their Lord.” (An-Naziat 79:1-5)
Allah (swt) takes an oath by those angels who dive into the bodies of wicked people (Kuffar) and forcefully collect their souls. Then Allah (swt) again takes His second oath by the angels who collect the souls of good people (Momineen) with softness, as if they are untying a knot. Next, Allah (swt) takes His third oath by the angels who swiftly float or glide moving back and forth in the skies to execute Allah’s (swt) commands, and they are the seekers of circles where Allah’s (swt) worship takes place. Fourthly, Allah (swt) takes the oath by those angels who race ahead of the devils with Allah’s (swt) Wahi. Lastly, Allah (swt) takes His oath by the angels, who complete the tasks assigned to them with perfection.
This is Our Lord, Whose entire creation plan is a state of marvel. Those who deny the unseen world will never be able to appreciate this remarkable truth and will eternally suffer in disgrace and terrible humiliation.
Their Important Role on the Day of Judgement
“The day that Ar-Ruh (Jibrael) or another angel and the angels will stand forth in rows, they will not speak except him whom the Most Gracious (Allah) allows and he will speak what is right.” (An-Naba 78:38)
This grand assembly on the Day of Resurrection shows Allah’s (swt) majesty, high status, and discipline. Even in the world a Muslim is trained to stand in lines, whether it is in the Masjid while praying or in the battlefield for combat. Saf, or organized rows and lines, are very significant and demonstrate a clear, organized and united mind and mannerisms.
On the Day of Account, all angels will be lined up in awe and fear of Allah’s (swt) Judgement. It will be the Day of Recompense, and only Allah (swt) will be in control, as He is today.
Their Greeting to the Dwellers of Paradise
“…And angels shall enter unto them from every gate (saying): ‘Salamun Alaikum’ (peace be upon you) for you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!’” (Ar-Rad 13: 23-24)
The beginning of angels was very honourable, as they served Allah (swt) all their lives humbly. They worshipped Allah (swt) in honoured Majalis and filled the skies with their Ibadah, not leaving even a span of four fingers in between. They are free from blemish. Their circumstances are better than humans, as there do not face any temptations.
But pure Iman (faith) of humans will be better in terms of their end, as compared to angels, because humans will be granted lofty eternal homes in Paradise.
The angels shall recognize a Momin’s exclusive and tireless faith, effort and above all trust in Allah’s (swt) promises.
Ya Muqallibal quloobi, thabbit qalbi ala deenik. Ameen.
Adapted from “Fiqh-ul-Quloob”.
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