Part 44

(4) To believe in the duties that we know of which they carry out by the command of Allaah, the Most High, such as their glorifying Allaah and declaring Him free and far removed from all imperfections, and their worshipping Him day and night without wearying or slackening. There are some of them who have particular duties, for example Jibreel, who was entrusted to convey the Revelation from Allaah, the Most High, to the prophets and messengers. Meekaa'eel, who is entrusted with the duty of looking after rainfall and the growth of plants. Israafeel, who is entrusted with blowing the Horn (as-Soor) at the Last Hour, and when the creation are to be resurrected. The angel of death whose duty it is to take the souls at the point of death. Maalik, who is entrusted to guard the Hellfire. The angels entrusted with the embryos in the womb, that when the unborn child has attained four months in its mothers womb, then Allaah sends an angel to it to write down its provision, its lifespan, its actions and whether it will be wretched or fortunate. The angels entrusted with recording the deeds of each person, and there are two angels for each person - one on his right and one on his left. The angels whose duty it is to question the deceased when he is placed in the grave, two angels come to him and ask him about his Lord, his Religion and his Prophet. Eemaan in the angels produces very great fruits, from them: (i) Knowledge of the greatness of Allaah, the Most High, His Power, His authority and His dominion. Since the greatness of any created thing shows the greatness of the Creator. (ii) Thankfulness to Allaah, the Most High, for His care and concern for the welfare of mankind, since He entrusted some angels with protecting them and recording their deeds and other actions beneficial to them. (iii) Love of the angels for their worship of Allaah, the Most High. There are some deviant folk who deny that the angels are physical beings, and claim instead that they are merely an expression referring to the power of good inherent in created beings. This saying is a denial of the Book of Allaah, the Most High, the Sunnah of His Messenger, and the consensus {ijmaa') of the Muslims. Allaah, the Most High, says, "All praise and thanks are for Allaah, the Sole Creator who brought the heavens and the earth into existence; who made the angels messengers, with His commands and prohibitions, having wings - two or three or four." [surah Faatir (35):1] "And if you could see, O Muhammad, the angels when they take out the souls of the unbelievers at death - striking their faces and their behinds." [surah al-Anfaal (8):50] "And if you could see when those who worship others along with Allaah are in the agonies of death, and the angels are spreading their hands and striking them, and saying: Deliver up your souls." [surah al-An'aam (6):93] "Until when the fear is banished from the angels* hearts they say to one another: 'What is it that your Lord has said?' They say: 'The Truth and He is the Most High, the Most Great." [surah Saba (34):23] Allaah said about the people of paradise, "And the angels enter upon them from every gate, greeting them: You are in peace and security due to your having patiently obeyed your Lord in the worldly life, so how excellent a final home is Paradise instead of the Fire." [surah ar-Ra'd (13):23-4] The Prophet said, "If Allaah loves a servant He calls to Jibreel, 'Allaah loves so and so, so love him.' So Jibreel calls out to the inhabitants of the heavens, 'Allaah loves so and so, so love him,' 50 the inhabitants of the heavens love him. Then acceptance of him is paced on the earth. " [Collected by alBukhaaree (Eng. transl. 9/430/no. 577)]. The Prophet also said, "On the day of Jumu 'ah there are angels at every door of the mosque writing down whoever comes first, and then the succeeding people in order. So when the Imaam sits, then the scrolls are rolled up and they come to hear the Reminder," [Collected by alBukhaaree (Eng. transl. 2/25/no. 51)]. These texts clearly prove that the angels are physical beings and not abstract forces, as claimed by the deviants, and what is clearly shown in the texts is something upon which there is consensus (ijmaa') of the Muslims. His Books; [128] ________________________________________________________ The Books (kutub, plural of kitaab) - meaning that which is written. What is meant here is those Books which Allaah, the Most High, sent down to His messengers as a mercy to the creation, and as guidance for them, in order to enable them to attain success and happiness in this world and in the Hereafter. Eemaan in the Books comprises four matters: (1) To believe that they were sent down by Allaah, the Most High.