Angels (Arabic: مَلَائِكَة، singular: ملك or مَلَك، originally malak, Persian: فرشته: Firishtah) represent a central and profound tenet in Islamic belief, carving a lineage that extends from divine messengers to cosmic guardians.
Definition
Angels (Mala’ika): In Islamic theology, ‘angels (mala’ika)’ are intelligent beings created from ’nur’ (light) by Allah to execute various tasks. They are sanctified, devoid of sin, carnal desires, and disobedience. They embody purity, eternal inquiry, glorifying and praising Allah incessantly, enacting His commands unfalteringly, and possessing diverse powerful forms and duties.
Etymology and Origins
The term “malak” is derived from the Semitic root MLK—meaning “to send” or “to govern.” Their characteristics sharply diverge from humans and jinn, defined by their creation from light (nur), in contrast to the clay of humans and smokeless fire of jinn.
Duties and Background
In the Islamic narrative, realms of mala’ika weave through the fabric of divine providence. The four most prominent roles assigned are:
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*Jibrīl (Gabriel)*: The Archangel of Revelation who conveyed the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).**endows revelation and celestial knowledge to prophets.
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Mīkāl (Michael): Patron of sustenance and cosmic bounty, who oversees the natural order, especially rains and vegetation.
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Isrāfīl: The force whose trumpet will presage the Day of Judgment, heralding the end of time.
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ʿAzrāʾīl: The Angel of Death, tasked with taking the soul at the appointed time of departure for each living being.
Moreover, angels such as Kirāmu’l-Kātibīn document human deeds, while Munkar and Nakīr interrogate souls in their graves. Each believer is constantly surrounded by them, embodying protective and recording roles.
::flag_sf::The Joys of Divinity
Angels derive nourishment from celestial prayer, their communion through sanctity and remembrance of Allah, marking an ascent beyond temporal sustainment.
Cultural Continuums
Similarities:
- Comparable in essence to Jewish and Christian angelologies, Islamic angels also feature in mortuary contexts, cosmic maintenance, and intercessory capacities catering to divine judgment and guidance.
Differences:
- Uniquely, Islamic angels have no free will in disobedience and perform tasks unwaveringly directed by divine order, contrary to some angelic depictions in other theologies showing transient axiomatic shifts.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
- Archangels
- Heavenly Host
- Cherubim
Antonyms:
- Shayateen (devils)
- Iblis (Satan)
Related Terms
- Jinn: Spiritual entities from smokeless fire, possessing free will opposed to angels.
- Eschatology: Study partakes angels’ critical roles during the End Times.
- Nubuwwah: Prophet’s revelation intertwined with angels’ messages.
Exciting Facts
- Every believer is attended by two angels: one recording good deeds, the other bad.
- The vast imagery and functions of angels cover guardianship, questioning in graves, and even carrying Allah’s throne on the Day of Judgment.
Quotations from Prominent Thinkers
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Rumi: “Angels’ station nears nothingness to perfect glory in yearning union inside infinite divine mysteries.”
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Ibn Arabi: “Extraordinary beings from unwrapped mysteries, designated sculptors of divine magnitude.”
References
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Qur’an: Key references include Surah Al-Baqarah (2:32), Surah Al-An’am (6:61), Surah An-Nazi’at (79:1-5).
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Hadith Collections: Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim underline varieties of hadith elucidating upon mala’ika’s roles.
Suggested Literature
- “A Muslim’s Theology” by William A. Graham.
- “God’s Angels: Biblical, Archaeological, and Ecclesiastical Perspectives” by Peter Thomas.
Quizzes
Farewell into the ethereal terrain of scholarly contemplation,
Amina Al-Fahad, October 2023.
“Angels, draped in celestial luminescence, entwine the corporeal with divine grace, mapping the soul’s celestial itinerary.”
