Page 61 - World Religions I - Islam

o "To Him belong all (creatures) in the heavens and on earth, even those who are in His (very) presence are
not too proud to serve Him, nor are they (ever) weary (of His service); they celebrate His praises night and
day, nor do they ever flag or intermit." - Al-Anbiya (The Prophets) 21:19-20
• Angels have a variety of duties, some of which are recorded.
o Communicating revelations from God.
o Glorifying God (see Surah 21:19-20 above). C. Carrying the throne of God.
 "Those who bear the Throne, and all who are round about it, hymn the praises of their Lord and
believe in Him and ask forgiveness for those who believe (saying): Our Lord! Thou
comprehendest all things in mercy and knowledge, therefor forgive those who repent and follow
Thy way. Ward off from them the punishment of hell." - Al-Ghafir (The Forgiver) 40:7
o Recording every person's actions (kiraman katibiin, or "honorable scribes").
 Two angels sit on a person's right and left shoulders respectively and record not only a person's
deeds, but also thoughts and feelings, which will be used in the Day of Judgement.
• "Behold, two (angels) appointed to learn (his doings) learn (and noted them), one
sitting on the right and one on the left. Not a word does he utter but there is a sentinel
by him, ready (to note it)." - Qaf 50:17-18 Scholars popularly quote a Hadith by that
states: "The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 'The (scribe) on the
left hand raises his pen (i.e., delays writing) for six hours [this may refer to six hours or
60 minutes as measured by astronomers, or it may refer to short periods of time during
the day or night - Lisaan al-'Arab] before he records the sinful deed of aMuslim. If he
regrets it and seeks Allah's forgiveness, the deed is not recorded, otherwise it is
recorded as one deed.' (Recorded by al-Tabarani in al-Kabeer and al-Bayhaqi in Shu'ab al
Iman).
• "But verily over you (are appointed angels) to protect you, kind and honourable,
writing down (your deeds); they know (and understand) all that ye do." - Al-Infitar (The
Cleaving) 82:10-12
o Guardian angels (mu'aqqibat, or "followers").
 "For [a person's] sake there are angels following one another, before him and behind him, who
guard him by Allah's commandment." - Ar-Ra'd (The Thunder) 13:11a
o Taking a person's soul at the time of death.
 "Say: 'The Angel of Death, put in charge of you, will (duly) take your souls: then shall ye be
brought back to your Lord.'" - As-Sajda (The Prostration) 32:11
o Interceding on man's behalf (see Surah 40:7 above)
o Testing mankind's sincerity towards God.5
o Cursing women who refuse to sleep with their husbands.
 "Allah's Apostle 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 the morning."6
o Guardians and tormentors of Hell. The number of angels guarding Hell are mentioned as being 19 in
Surah 74:30-31.
 "O you who believe! save yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and
stones; over it are angels stern and strong, they do not disobey Allah in what He commands
them, and do as they are commanded." - At-Tahrim (Prohibition) 66:6
• The Qur'an describes angels as messengers with varying pairs of wings.
o "Praise be to Allah, who created (out of nothing) the heavens and the earth, who made the angels,
messengers with wings - two, or three, or four (pairs). He adds to Creation as He pleases, for Allah has
power over all things." - Fatir (The Angels) 35:1
• According to the traditions, angels are made from light. The Qur'an is silent when it comes to the creation or
substance of angels. Compare with the Bible which says that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2

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