Broadly speaking, believing in angels is how we believe in the existence of angels themselves. Angels are also one of God’s creations. Angels are created from light and have the duty to carry out the commands of Allah SWT, which is taking care of the universe.
The duties of angels, among others, are to record human deeds, cause lives, and also bring rain. Then, we as humans always doubt about the existence of the Islam believing law in angels. To answer these doubts, see more below.
The Law of Believing in Angels
Basically, faith in angels is Fardhu ‘Ain, which is mandatory. Believing angels is also one of the pillars of faith in Islam.
The Quran’s Proposition
Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 285,
ءَامَنَ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡهِ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَۚ كُلٌّ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيۡنَ أَحَدٖ مِّن رُّسُلِهِۦۚ وَقَالُواْ سَمِعۡنَا وَأَطَعۡنَاۖ غُفۡرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيۡكَ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ
The Apostle has faith in the Qur’an which was revealed to him from his Lord, so also those who believe. All believe in Allah, His angels, His books, and His apostles. (They say): “We do not discriminate between anyone (with others) from His apostles,” and they say: “We hear and we obey.” (They pray): “Forgive us our Lord and to You is the place to return.”
Surah An-Nisa, verse 136,
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ ءَامِنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَٱلۡكِتَٰبِ ٱلَّذِي نَزَّلَ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ وَٱلۡكِتَٰبِ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَنزَلَ مِن قَبۡلُۚ وَمَن يَكۡفُرۡ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ فَقَدۡ ضَلَّ ضَلَٰلَۢا بَعِيدًا
O believers, keep believing in Allah and His Messenger and for the book that Allah sent down to His Messenger and the book that Allah sent down before. Whoever disbelieves in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the day after, then the person has gone astray as far as possible.
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Hadith
Hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim,
عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يَوْمً بَارِزًا لِلنَّاسِ إِذْ اَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ يَمْشِيْ فَقَالَ : يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ مَالْاِيْمَانُ ؟ قَالَ : الْاِيْمَانُ أَنْ تُؤْمِنُ بِاللهِ وَمَلٰئِكَتهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَلِقَائِهِ وَتُؤْمِنَ بِالْبَعْثِ الْاٰخِرِ
Meaning: “Narrated from Abu Hurairah ra. That one day the Prophet appeared in the midst of many people, and then he was visited by a man. The person asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is faith?” He replied, “Faith is you must believe in Allah Almighty, His angels, His books, meeting with Him, His messengers, and the resurrection day in the hereafter.”
Difference between Angels and Other Magical Creatures
Angels are supernatural beings like jinn and demons. But there are differences between angels and other supernatural beings. The difference is based on nature.
Jinn, which is made of fire has a life that is almost similar to the humans, there are some who believe in Allah SWT, and others who disbelieve and deny the existence of Allah SWT. But the jinn cannot be seen by humans.
Devils are also jinn, who totally disobey Allah’s commands and always deny the commands of Allah SWT.
While the Angels, only do what is commanded by Allah SWT, yet obedient and recite the name of Allah SWT.
Names of Angels and Their Tasks
In fact, there are so many angels and we cannot make reference to the number of angels created by Allah SWT.
Then, there is the Word of Allah SWT in the Qur’an Surah Al-Muddassir verse 31 which means:
“No one knows the number of angels other than Allah Himself.” (Surah Al-Muddassir: 31)
And among these angels, there are 10 angels that Muslims have to know:
- Gabriel: The task of the angel Gabriel is to convey the revelation of Allah SWT to the apostles and prophets, called Ruhulkudus, Ruhulamin, and Malakul Wahyu.
- Mikail: His job is to give sustenance to his people.
- Israfil: The task is to give life and gather it on the Day of Judgment and give a sign of the coming of the Day of Judgment by blowing the trumpet.
- Izrail: His job is to take human life.
- Rakib: His duty is to guard humans, record all good deeds, and accompany them on the right.
- Atid: He had to look after humans, record all bad deeds, and accompany Him on the left.
- Munkar: In charge of asking and examining humans in the tomb.
- Nakir: Has the same task as Munkar.
- Ridwan: His duty is to guard the heaven, the place of believers who get the gift of the good he does from Allah SWT.
- Malik: His duty is to guard the hell, where humans get the punishment of Allah SWT due to negligence in the world.
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Function of Faith in Angels
- Modeling the nature of angels who always submit to Allah SWT.
- Become a guideline to avoid superstitious and superstitious beliefs.
- Our lives will always be protected by Allah SWT.
- To test and maintain our faith in the face of Satan’s temptations.
That is the explanation regarding how the law of believing in angels in Islam. Hopefully, after this, we can strengthen our faith in Allah SWT.
Further readings:
- The Law of Conveying the Truth in Islam and Its Proposition
- The Law to Carry the Adhan to the Body in Islam and Its Proposition
- The Law of Taking Wudhu before Sleep for Menstruating Women
- The Law of Drinking While Standing in Islam and Its Proposition
- 12 Rewards to Gain with Your Wife after Marriage