Belief in Angels (Arabic: ملائكة malāʾikah; singular: ملاك or مَلَكْ malāk) is one of the six Articles of Faith in Islam. They are considered heavenly beings performing tasks of God. The basic imagination of angels in Islam developed from the Quran and was influenced by other religions like Judaism and expanded by tafsir (exegesis) and the hadith literature.
Contents
Concept of angels
A'isha reported that Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: The Angels were born out of light and the Jinns were born out of the spark of fire and Adam was born as he has been defined (in the Qur'an) for you (i. e. he is fashioned out of clay)
Angels take the role of intermediaries performing different tasks of God. They are said to be created out of light. Unlike humans or jinn, they have no biological needs and therefore no lower desires predicted by animal nature; consequently, they may be described as creatures of pure emotion, who though endowed with free will are not subject to temptation. It has been said that angels lack free will since they are known from the Quran to strictly obey what God commands, but different schools of Islam debate the extent of free will which angels have not as beings of endowed with human reason but as beings of emotions. The implications of a well-known hadith concerning an argument that took place between the angels of Mercy and the angels of Punishment about what to do with a notorious murderer who repented of his crimes but died before reaching a pre-destination that would have ensured his forgiveness, reflects decision-making from a state of natural emotion rather than natural reason.
Besides the personificated interpretation of angels, they are also thought of carrying the laws of nature.
The astrophysicist Nidhal Guessoum in his book "Islam's Quantum Question" has pointed to modern Islamic scholars such as Muhammad Asad and Ghulam Ahmed Parwez who have suggested a metaphorical reinterpretation of the concept of angels.
The form of angels in Islam
Angels take the role of intermediaries performing different tasks of God. They are said to be created out of light. Angels are mentioned in the Quran but are developed significantly in the Islamic literature through the sayings of Muhammad known as the Hadith "We come from Thine servants upon the earth who had been glorifying Thee (reciting Subhan Allah), uttering Thine Greatness (saying Allah-o-Akbar) and uttering Thine Oneness (La illaha ill Allah) and praising Thee (uttering al-Hamdu Lillah) and begging of Thee." Sahih Muslim book 35 number 6505.
Unlike humans or jinn, they have no biological needs and therefore no lower desires predicted by the natural world. Angels in Islam are believed to be able to take human form this is known in the Quran and Hadith literature where Gabriel (Jibrael) came in human form to announce to Mary mother of Jesus, and to Muhammad about reciting the message that is the divine will of Allah, known to Muslims as the Quran. They may be described as creatures of pure emotion. It has been said that angels lack free will since they are known from the Quran to strictly obey what God commands; but different schools of Islam debate the extent of free will which angels have not as beings of endowed with human reason but as beings who may error. The implications of a well-known hadith concerning an argument that took place between the angels of Mercy and the angels of Punishment about what to do with a notorious murderer who repented of his crimes but died before reaching a pre-destination that would have ensured his forgiveness. This is narrated in Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, book 56. This can be seen in Islamic scholarly analysis which suggests the decision-making framework of angels is different from that of mankind, as their souls are composed of light rather than mud-like clay.
Individual angels
Islam has no standard hierarchical organization that parallels the division into different "choirs" or spheres, as hypothesized and drafted by early medieval Christian theologians, but distinguish between archangels and angels. Angels are not equal in status and consequently, they are delegated different tasks to perform.
Archangels
Other angels and angel groups
Distinction between Angels and Jinn
In addition to the angels, the Islam assumes the existence of other invisible creatures called Jinn. Besides they also belong to the supernatural creatures, they have some characteristics in common with humans and differ from the angels. Unlike angels, the Jinn are mortals and it is said, they also eat, drink, procreate and die. Furthermore, the angels belong to the celestial realm, even they can travel to other realms, if their tasks requires it, while Jinn are assumed to live either next to humans on earth or in an intermediary realm. The Islamic demon appears in Islamic accounts as jinn.
Meaning of angels in mysticism
Sufism also notices angels as messengers between the divine and the human realms. But additionally, angels are viewed as the original state of a soul, before it touches the earthly plane. Those who stay in heaven, remain as angels. Angels rank lower than humans, because they are, as already flawless and desireless beings, not capable to love God like humans do. Then humans die, they can return to the heavenly spheres with all deeds, experiences and thoughts accomplished on the earthen plane. Furthermore, angels can inspire the Sufi. These angelic inspirations are also related to Khidr encounters.
Iblis occupies a special position in Sufism and is often viewed as a true monotheist rather than a failed creature, because his refusal to prostate before someone else than God and preferring to be cast out of heaven, proved his love to God without any expectations. Otherwise he is also considered as the cause of separation and attempts to prevent the development of the human spirits.