. JJ É J . (cont.)

And also, "Say: 0 People of the Book! Exceed not in your religion the bounds (of what is proper), trespassing beyond truth, nor follow the vain desires of people who went wrong in times gone by, who mislead many and strayed themselves from the even way" (al-Maaidah 77).1 A very important point that ibn Abu al-Izz makes in that passage is that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was the most knowledgeable of Allah. The best worshipper of Allah was the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The best way to submit and serve Allah is the way of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The best and correct beliefs about Allah are those of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). If Muslims would truly reflect on this point and apply it properly, then all the innovations that have developed since the Prophet's time could be removed. "His angels" 2 The second article of faith mentioned by the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the narration of Umar was belief in the angels. Angels are a type of creation of Allah that is, in general, unseen by man. They have been created 1 lbn Abu al-Izz, vol. 1 , pp. 53-56. 2 Due to space limitations, the discussion of the remaining articles of faith will not be as lengthy as the discussion of the belief in Allah, which may be considered the most important and essential article of faith. In particular, sometimes the evidence for different statements will not be stated but may be found in the references cited. One interested in a complete, although short work, on the angels may consult Umar al-Ashqaar, Aalam al-Malaaikah al-Abraar (Kuwait: Maktabah al-Falaah, n.d.), passim. Hadith #2: The Hadith of Jibreel from light but they do have forms and bodies. They are servants of Allah and have no aspect of divinity to them whatsoever. They submit to His command completely and never stray from fulfilling His orders. Qutb notes that the angels are at all times involved with what is true and correct. They never stray from what is correct even for one second, as humans and jinn do. 1 Salaam points out that if a person does not believe in angels, he then cannot believe in the coming of revelation to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This is because it was an angel, Gabriel, that brought the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Therefore, belief in the Quran cannot be confirmed unless one believes in the angels, as a class, and the Angel Gabriel, in particular, who brought that revelation to the Prophet (peace be upon him).2 According to ibn Uthaimeen, proper belief in the angels comprises four matters:3 First, one must believe in their existence. Second, one must believe in them in general but also one must believe in their names that have been explicitly stated in either the Quran or authentic sunnah. For example, one of the angels is named Jibreel (Gabriel). He was the angel who brought the revelation to the Prophet (peace be upon him). Third, one must believe in their attributes as stated in the Quran or sunnah. For example, it is stated in a hadith that the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw the Angel Gabriel covering the horizon and he had six hundred wings. This shows that this species of creation is a truly great and marvelous creation of Allah. It is also demonstrated, such as in this hadith currently being discussed, that an angel can appear in different forms, such as in the form of a human. This also demonstrates Allah's great power and ability to do whatever He wills. Fourth, one must believe in the actions that they perform as mentioned in the Quran or authentic hadith. It is stated in the Quran that they worship Allah and glorify Him. It is also indicated that specific angels have been given specific responsibilities. Jibreel is in charge of the "life of the heart" which is a reference to the revelation that has come from Allah. /sraafeel is responsible for blowing the trumpet that will resurrect the bodies on the Day of Judgment. Hence, he is related to the reviving of life on the Day of Resurrection. Mikaaeel is responsible for the rain and vegetation. These are the "sources" of life on earth. lbn Uthaimin points out that it is perhaps the relationship between these three angels and their "life-giving" responsibilities that led the Prophet (peace be upon him) to open his late-night prayers with the following supplication, "O Allah, Lord of Jibreel, Mikaaeel and lsraafeel, the Originator of the Heavens and the Earth, the One who Knows the Unseen and Witnessed, 1 Qutb, p. 1 83. 2 Salaam, p. 104. 3 Cf., Ibn Uthaimeen, Sharh Usool al-Imaan, pp. 27-28. "Cf.," is used implying that the points are from ibn Uthaimeen but the discussion and explanation is not necessarily from his writing.