Belief in the Angels and Its Effect on the Life of the Ummah

Belief in the Angels and Its Effect on the Life of the Ummah

AUTHOR:	Shaikh Saalih bin Fawzaan Al-Fawzaan
TRANSLATED:	Al-Ibaanah Book Publishing
PRODUCED BY:	Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book: 
This is a complete translation of a short treatise called “Al-Eemaan bil-Malaa’ikah wa Atharuhu fee Hayaat-il-Ummah” [Belief in the Angels and its Effect in the Life of the Ummah] written by Shaikh Saalih bin Fawzaan Al-Fawzaan, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars in Saudi Arabia. The source used for this translation was the Arabic version found on the Shaikh’s web site: www.alfuzan.net.

Although this treatise is short in size, it provides many proofs and evidences for the descriptions, duties and general characteristics of the angels, and gives many splendid points of benefit concerning the angels and our place with respect to them.

As the author mentions in this treatise, our purpose for learning about the angels is not just for the sake of knowing about them for our general understanding, but rather, it is so that we can become conscious of their constant presence around us and their effect in our daily lives. Also, if we become conscious of the fact that there are two angels with us at all times recording our statements and actions, we would become cautious of what we say and do lest our guardian angels record something about us for which we will be held accountable before Allaah. In addition to this, we must also bear in mind that Belief in the Angels is one of the six pillars of Eemaan, which every Muslim is obligated to have knowledge of.

Quotes from the Book: 
“These are the three angels that are responsible for life. Jibreel is responsible for bringing the revelation, which brings life into the hearts. Mikaa’eel is responsible for the raindrops, which bring life to the earth after its death. Israafeel is responsible for blowing on the trumpet, which will bring life to the bodies (on the Day of Resurrection). This is why when the Prophet  would get up for prayer at night, after saying the opening Takbeer, he  would say in his opening supplication: ‘O Allaah! Lord of Jibreel, Mikaa’eel and Israafeel, Originator of the heavens and the earth…’”

“Death is ascribed to Allaah here because He is the One who orders it to occur. It is also ascribed to the angels because they are the ones who physically carry that out by gathering the soul and leading it out of the human’s body until it reaches his throat. And it is also ascribed to the Angel of Death –‘Say: ‘The Angel of Death, who is set over you, will take your souls’’ – because he is the one in charge of seizing the souls after they have been rounded up in the last stage (of death).”

“There are also angels that are responsible for protecting humans from perils. A human being is prone to walk into dangers everyday. However, Allaah entrusts angels that guard and protect him from these dangers during his lifetime, which Allaah has ordained for him. This earth, which a human being walks upon everyday, contains many dangers. There are wild beasts, snakes, scorpions, not to mention transgressors from among humans – enemies and oppressors. However, Allaah has placed these angels around the human being. Allaah says: ‘He (a person) has those (angels) who constantly surround him – from before him and behind him, protecting him by the Command of Allaah.’ [Surah Ar-Ra’ad: 11] Therefore, so long as Allaah has decreed that this individual will be safe from harms, these angels will protect and guard him, and no human will be able to harm him. But if Allaah desires to bring an end to his appointed time, He removes them from him – one from before him and one from behind him.”

“Belief in the Angels has a tremendous effect on the life of humans, since if a person is aware of them, he will indeed be cautious and mindful. If a person realizes that there are angels entrusted to him who constantly surround him day and night, he will surely be cautious of what he says and does, lest something is recorded about him that is not befitting. So if he knew that there were investigators following him, wouldn’t he be cautious out of fear that they might take hold of some speech or action of his which will cause him a harmful end? So how can he not then be cautious and mindful of the angels when he doesn’t see them? But as for humans, you can see them. So the one who is watching you and you can see him, you are wary about him. However, the angels see you but you cannot see them. It is possible that you might be able to protect yourself from humans – you can go inside your home or lock yourself up in some secluded area and they would not be able to gain any information about you. But as for the angels, they enter with you everywhere. Allaah has given them the ability to reach and access any place that He commands them to reach.”

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Al-Eemaan bil-Malaa'ikah wa Atharuhu fee Hayaat-il-Ummah¡¨

 Belief in the Angels and Its Effect on the Life of the Ummah