Meaning of Faith in God’s Angels – In general folklore, angels are considered to be forces of nature, holograms or a good illusion. Westerners sometimes depict angels as chubby baby cherubs, or handsome and handsome men, or beautiful young women with halos surrounding their heads.
However, in Islam, angels are real creatures created by God. Angels themselves cannot be seen with the naked eye. Angels are not objects to be worshiped or prayed to. Angels submit to God and carry out his orders.
In the view of Islam, there are no fallen angels. They are not divided into good angels or bad angels. Humans do not become angels after they die. Satan is not an angel, but Satan is a type of jinn. In the Islamic religion, angels must be believed in, must be trusted. Believing in the existence of angels is in the second pillar of faith. Below will be explained the belief in angels along with the names of angels believed in Islam.
Meaning of Faith in God’s Angels
Faith means believing, Believing in God’s Angels means believing that angels are true” creatures of God who were created from Light, and do not have sex, so they always obey God’s commands.
Angel comes from the Arabic language ‘malak’ which means messenger, the plural form is ‘malaikah’. Angels are believed to be heavenly beings, created from light by Allah SWT. This is mentioned in a hadith narrated by Muslims. The hadith reads,
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم خُلِقَتِ المَلٰئِكَةُ مِنْ نُوْرِ وَخُلِقَ الْجَانُّ مِنْ مَارِجِ مِنْ نَارٍ وَخُلِقَ اٰدَمَ مِمَّا وُصِفَ لَكُمْ (HR. Muslim:5314)
“an ‘aa`isyat qaalat qala rasulullahi shallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam khuliqatil malaikati min nuri wa khuliqal jaannu min maari min naar wa khuliqa aadama mimmaa wushifalakum
Meaning : “Angels were created from light and Jinn were created from a mixture of fire, and Adam was created from earth.”
Angels have roles such as praising Allah SWT and carrying out the laws of nature. Islam does not even have a graphic or symbolic representation of angels. However, angels are often depicted as beautiful creatures with wings. Angels form different hierarchies and cosmic orders.
Angels do not eat or drink, have no anger, and never tire.
{فَلَمَّا رَأَى أَيْدِيَهُمْ لَا تَصِلُ إِلَيْهِ نَكِرَهُمْ وَأَوْجَسَ مِنْهُمْ خِيفَةً قَالُوا لَا تَخَفْ إِنَّا أُرْسِلْنَا إِلَى قَوْمِ لُوطٍ وَامْرَأَتُهُ قَائِمَةٌ فَضَحِكَتْ} (Surat Hud: 70-71)
Meaning : So when he saw that their hands did not touch him, Ibrahim looked at their actions as strange, and felt afraid of them. The angel said, “Do not be afraid, indeed we are (angels) sent to the people of Lut.” And his wife stood (behind the curtain), then he smiled.
The angel that humans have seen with the naked eye is the angel Gabriel. Angel Gabriel once met Prophet Muhammad SAW.
It is narrated in the Sahih Book of Ibn Hiban, from the companion of Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud, the Messenger of Allah said:
On Ibn Masoud – may God bless him and grant him peace – he said in this verse: {And he saw it descend further} [Al-Najm: 13], the Messenger of God – may God bless him and grant him peace – said: I saw Gabriel at the end of his chest, upon him there are seventy Jannahs, يَنْثِرُ من رِيشِه التَّاوِيلُ : الدُّرُّ والياقُوتُ
From Ibn Mas’ud RA that he said about this verse, “And verily Muhammad saw Gabriel (in his original form) at another time.” (QS. An-Najm: 13)
The Prophet SAW said, “I saw Gabriel in Sidratul Muntaha, he had six hundred wings scattered in his fur with diamonds and gems of different colors.”
Angels also never stop or feel bored to worship Allah SWT, this is stated in Al-Quran chapter 21 verse 20 which reads,
وَاِنَّا لَنَحْنُ الْمُسَبِّحُوْنَ
Meaning : And verily we glorify (to Allah). (QS: As Shafat: 166)
Although there is no history that says when angels were created, many believe that angels are the first creations of God, and live in the heavenly realm.
Many scholars debate whether humans or angels have a higher degree. But in the Al-Quran, the prostration of angels to Adam is often considered as proof of human supremacy over angels. But there are also those who think that angels are superior to humans because they do not have anger and lust.
Faith in God is also often said to be the key to a servant’s success in the afterlife. However, practicing faith is not as simple as we imagine. There are pillars, branches, and everything we experience and witness that intersects with our faith. Learn all that in the Encyclopaedia of Faith book below.
Evidence for God’s Angels
Faith in angels is an obligation commanded by God. This is stated in the Al-Quran, chapter An-nisa verse 136 which reads,
يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْٓا اٰمِنُوْا بِاللّٰهِ وَرَسُوْلِهٖ وَالْكِتٰبِ الَّذِيْ نَزَّلَ عَلٰى رَسُوْلِهٖ وَالْكِتٰبِ الَّذِيْٓ اَنْزَلَ مِنْ قَبْلُ ۗوَمَنْ يَّكْفُرْ بِاللّٰهِ وَمَلٰۤىِٕكَتِهٖ وَكُتُبِهٖ وَرُسُلِهٖ وَالْيَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلٰلًا ۢ بَعِيْدًا
Meaning : “O people who believe! Keep believing in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad) and in the Book (Al-Qur’an) that was revealed to His Messenger, as well as the book that was revealed before. Whoever disbelieves in God, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Hereafter, then indeed, that person has gone astray very far.”
In that verse, God not only commands people to believe in angels, but God commands us to believe in His books, His messengers and the Last Day or Judgment Day. Study the SD/MI book Iman Kepa Malaikat Allah SWT to have more knowledge, understanding, and practice goodness in everyday life.
Names of angels and their duties
How many angels were created by Allah SWT? Actually, only God knows the answer. Angels do not have the same status because they are given different tasks.
Some angels are assigned to carry out God’s law in the world. For example, the angel Michael is responsible for the rain and directs it wherever God wants.
Michael the Archangel has assistants who help him in carrying out the orders of Allah SWT, they direct the wind and clouds according to God’s will. There are also those who are in charge of blowing the trumpet on the Day of Judgment and there are also those who are in charge of taking life from human bodies.
There is also a group of angels who pray for those creatures of God who give good deeds to others. Angels love those who believe and ask God to forgive their sins.
Among them there are also angels who protect the believer throughout his life, both when he is inside the house, outside the house and when he is asleep. Learn more about the existence of angels, starting from believing in their existence, their abilities, the types of angels and their functions in the book Malaikat Dalam Al Quran: Seri Makhluk Ghaib.
10 Angels that we must believe in
As for the 10 Angels that we must believe in, namely,
- Angel Gabriel His job is to deliver revelation
- Archangel Mikail’s task is to distribute Rizki
- Angel Izroel His job is to take lives
- Isrofil angel His task is to blow the trumpet
- Angel Rokib His job is to record human actions
- Angel Atid His job is to record human actions
- The Munkar dan Nakir Angel’s task is to ask him in the grave
- Angel nakir His task is to ask in the grave
- Angel Malik His job is to guard hell
- Angel Ridwan His job is to guard heaven
Angel Gabriel’s task
Jibril: Jibril is an angel tasked with delivering revelations from Allah SWT. Gabriel is the angel responsible for revealing the Quran to Prophet Muhammad SAW verse by verse. Angel Gabriel is the angel who communicates with all the prophets and also descends with the blessing of Allah SWT on the night of Laylatul Qadr or the night of a thousand moons. Angel Gabriel is also recognized as an extraordinary fighter in Islam. The angel Gabriel is believed to be the leader of the angelic army into the Badr War.
The angel Jibreel following the war is described in a hadith narrated by Ibn Hisham that the Messenger of Allah called out to him “Rejoice O Abu Bakr because God’s help has come. The angel Gabriel grabbed the bridle of his horse, then pulled it towards the cloud of dust (the battlefield).”
God said:
وَلَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ اللُّ بِبَدْرٍ وََانْتُمْ اَذِلَّةٌۚ فَتَّوُواُوا اللَّّ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُوْنَ
It means : Truly God has helped you in the battle of Badr. (Ali Imran: 123)
اِذْ تَقُوْلُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِيْينَ إَلَنْ يَّكْفِيكُمْ انْ يُّمِدَّكُمْ ربُّكُمْ بِثَلٰثَةِ الَافٍ مِّنَ الْمَلٰۤىِٕكَةِ مُنْزَلِينَۗ
Meaning : (Remember) when you said to the believers, “Isn’t it enough for you that God helps you with three thousand angels sent down (from heaven)?” (At Tawbah: 27)
In addition, this is also mentioned in the Al-Quran, chapter Al-Anfal verse 9 which reads,
اِذْ تَسْتَغِيْثُونَ رَبَّكُمْ فَاسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ انِيْ مُمِدُّكُمْ بِالْفٍ مِّنَ الْمَلٰىِٕكَةِ مُرْدِفِيْنَ
It means : “Remember, when you ask for help from your Lord, and He grants you permission, ‘Indeed I will bring reinforcements to you with a thousand angels who come in succession,'”
Archangel Michael’s task
Mikail: The angel Mikail is the angel responsible for directing rain, food and sustenance with the will of Allah SWT. Some scholars also agree that the angel Michael also has responsibility over the angels who bring the laws of nature. Archangel Michael is one of the four main angels of God. This is mentioned in a hadith,
From Alqamah bin Martsad, from Abdurrahman bin Sabith, he said,
يُدَبِّرُ الأُمُورَ أَرْبَعَةٌ : جِبْرِيلُ ، وَمِيكَائِيلُ ، وَإِسْرَافِيلُ ، وَمَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا وَعَلَيْهِمْ وَسَلَّمَ ، فَجِبْرِيلُ عَلَى الرِّيحِ وَالْجُنُودِ ، وَمِيكَائِيلُ عَلَى الْقَطْرِ وَالنَّبَاتِ ، وَمَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ يَقْبِضُ الأَرْوَاحَ ، وَإِسْرَافِيلُ يُبَلِّغُهُمْ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ بِهِ
There are 4 angels who manage affairs: Jibril, Mikail, Israfil and the Angel of Death – may blessings and peace be poured out on our prophet and them. Jibreel arranges the wind and the forces, Mikail arranges the rain and the trees, the angel of death who takes away lives, and Israfil conveys to them what they are commanded. (HR. Abu Shaikh al-Ashbahani in al-Adzamah, no. 294. This hadith is a Maqthu’ hadith, because Abdurrahman bin Sabith was a tabi’in).
In a hadith it was also mentioned that the angel Michael never smiled after the angel Michael saw how hell was created, this was conveyed by the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad. The hadith was narrated by Anas bin Malik, the Prophet Muhammad SAW asked the angel Gabriel ‘why have I never seen the angel Michael smile? then the angel Gabriel answered, ‘Mikail has never smiled since hell was created.’
The task of Angel Israfil
Israfil: the angel Israfil is the angel who blows the trumpet at the end of time. The angel Israfil is responsible for signaling the coming of the Day of Judgment by blowing his trumpet.
In the Al-Quran, Surat Al-Qamar verse 6, it is mentioned that the angel Israfil calls for something unpleasant on the Day of Retribution.
فَتَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ ۘ يَوْمَ يَدْعُ الدَّعِ الِلٰى شَيْءٍ نُّكُرٍۙ
“So turn away from them, Remember the day when a caller or an angel calls to something unpleasant on the day of retribution.”
The task of the Angel of Israel
Izrail: The angel Izrail has the task of taking life from the human body and he will take the believers to heaven and the unbelievers to hell. Angel Izrail took human life with the help of his subordinates. This is explained in Al-Quran surah As-Sajdah verse 11 which reads,
say
Meaning : “The angel of death entrusted to (take away) your life will kill you, then only to your Lord will you be returned”.
In addition, it is also mentioned in the Al-Quran chapter Al-Araf verse 37 which reads,
فَمَنْ اَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرٰى عَلَى اللّٰهِ كَذِبًا اَوْ كَذَّبَ بِاٰيٰتِهٖۗ اُولٰۤىِٕكَ يَنَالُهُمْ نَصِيْبُهُمْ مِّنَ الْكِتٰبِۗ حَتّٰٓى اِذَا جَاۤءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُنَا يَتَوَفَّوْنَهُمْۙ قَالُوْٓا اَيْنَ مَا كُنْتُمْ تَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ ۗقَالُوْا ضَلُّوْا عَنَّا وَشَهِدُوْا عَلٰٓى اَنْفُسِهِمْ اَنَّهُمْ كَانُوْا كٰفِرِيْنَ
Meaning : “Then who is more unjust than the one who makes up lies against Allah or denies His verses? Those people will get the share that has been determined for them in the Book (Lauh Mahfuzh); until when Our messengers (angels) came to them to take his life, (at that time) Our messenger asked: “Where (idols) do you usually worship besides Allah?” The polytheists replied: “The idols have all disappeared from us,” and they admitted to themselves that they were disbelievers.
The duties of Angel Munkar and Nakir
Munkar and Nakir: Angels Munkar and Nakir are angels who are in charge of asking people in the grave. This is explained in a hadith narrated by Tirmidhi. The hadith reads,
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : إِذَا قُبِرَ الْمَيِّتُ أَوْ قَالَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَتَاهُ مَلَكَانِ أَسْوَدَانِ أَزْرَقَانِ يُقَالُ لأَحَدِهِمَا الْمُنْكَرُ وَالآخَرُ النَّكِيرُ (HR At-Tirmidzi)
From Abu Hurairah RA said, the Messenger of God SAW said, “When the body has been buried or when one of you is buried, there are two angels who come to him, both of them black and bluish, named Munkar and the other named Nakir.” (HR At-Tirmidhi)
From Abu Hurairah radhiyallahu ‘anhu who said, the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,
إِذَا قُبِرَ الْمَيِّتُ أَوْ قَالَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَتَاهُ مَلَكَانِ أَسْوَدَانِ أَزْرَقَانِ يُقَالُ لأَحَدِهِمَا الْمُنْكَرُ وَالآخَرُ النَّكِيرُ ، فَيَقُولَانِ : مَا كُنْتَ تَقُولُ فِي هَذَا الرَّجُلِ ؟ فَيَقُولُ مَا كَانَ يَقُولُ: He is a servant of God and His Messenger, I testify that there is no god but God, and Muhammad is a servant of God and His Messenger. فَيَقُولانِ : قَدْ كُنَّا نَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ تَقُولُ هَذَا ، ثُمَّ يُفْسَحُ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ سَبْعُونَ ذِرَاعًا فِي سَبْعِينَ ، ثُمَّ يُنَوَّرُ لَهُ فِيهِ ، ثُمَّ يُقَالُ لَهُ : نَمْ ، فَيَقُولُ : أَرْجِعُ إِلَى أَهْلِي فَأُخْبِرُهُمْ ، فَيَقُولَانِ : نَمْ كَنَوْمَةِ الْعَرُوسِ الَّذِي لا يُوقِظُهُ إِلا أَحَبُّ أَهْلِهِ إِلَيْهِ حَتَّى God bless you.
And he said: فَيَقُولَانِ : قَدْ كُنَّا نَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ تَقُولُ ذَلِكَ ، فَيُقَالُ لِلأَرْضِ : الْتَئِمِي عَلَيْهِ ، فَتَلْتَئِمُ عَلَيْهِ ، فَتَخْتَلِفُ فِيهَا أَضْلاعُهُ ، فَلا يَزَالُ فِيهَا مُعَذَّبًا حَتَّى يَبْعَثَهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ مَضْجَعِهِ ذَلِكَ
“When the body or one of you has been buried, then he will be approached by two black and blue angels, one of them Munkar and the other Nakir, both of them will say: What do you think about this person (Prophet Muhammad)?, then he will answer as when in world: Abdullah and His Messenger, I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Both of them said: We have known that you used to say that. Then his grave was expanded 70 x 70 cubits, and it was given light, and it was said: Sleep. He replied: “I want to go home to tell my family”. Both of them said: “Sleep, as the bridegroom sleeps, no one can wake him up except the one he loves the most,
Duties of Angels Raqib and Atid
Raqib and Atid: The angels Raqib and Atid are angels who have the task of recording good and bad deeds. This is stated in Al-Quran Surat Qaf verses 17 and 18 which reads,
إِذْ يَتَلَقَّى الْمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَعَنِ الشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٌ (17) What is the meaning of the words of the Prophet (18)
Meaning : “(Remember) when two angels recorded (his deeds), one sat on the right and the other on the left. There is not a word he utters but there is a guardian angel by his side who is always ready (to record).”
In addition, it is also mentioned in the Al-Quran chapter Al-Infithar verse 10-12 which reads,
وَاِنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ لَحٰفِظِيْينَۙ
كَرَامًا كَاتِبِيْنَۙ
يَعْلَمُوْنَ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ
Meaning : “Indeed there are (angels) for you who watch over (your work), who are noble (in the eyes of God) and record (your work), they know what you do”
The deeds recorded by the angels Raqib and Atid will be placed around the neck of people on the Day of Judgment. This is explained in Al-Quran surah Al-Isra verse 13 and 14 which reads,
وَكُلَّ اِنْسَانٍ اَلْزَمْنٰهُ طٰۤىِٕرَهٗ فِيْ عُنُقِهٖۗ وَنُخْرِجُ لَهٗ يَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَةِ كِتٰبًا يَّلْقٰىهُ مَنْشُوْرًا
اِقْرَأْ كِتَابَكَۗ كَفٰى بِنَفْسِكَ الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيْبًاۗ
“And every human being, We have fixed his deeds (just as a necklace is fixed) on his neck. And We will bring forth for him on the Day of Resurrection a book which he will find open. “Read your book, suffice yourself at this time as your accountant”
The task of Angels Malik and Ridwan
Malik and Ridwan: Angel Ridwan has the task of guarding the gates of heaven. While the angel Malik has the duty of guarding the gates of hell. This is stated in the Al-Quran, Surat Az-Zukhruf, verses 77 and 78 which read,
وَنَادَوْا يٰمٰلِكُ لِيَقْضِ عَلَيْنَا رَبُّّۗ قَالَ نَّكُمْ مكِثُونَ
لَقْ ِيْنٌكْ بِالْحقِّ وَلِنَّ اَكُرَكُمْ لِلَحَقِّ ٰرُِوْنَ
Meaning : “And they exclaimed, “O (Angel) Malik! Let your Lord kill us.” He replied, indeed, you will remain (in this hell). Indeed, We have come to bring you the truth but most of you hate the truth”
In addition, it is also mentioned in Al-Quran Surat Az-Zumar verse 73 which reads,
وَسِيْقَ الَّذِيْنَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّهُمْ اِلَى الْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا ۗحَتّٰىٓ اِذَا جَاۤءُوْهَا وَفُتِحَتْ اَبْوَابُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَادْخُلُوْهَا خٰلِدِيْنَ
It means : “And those who fear their Lord are taken to heaven in groups. So that when they reached it (paradise) and its doors were opened, its guardians said to them, “Peace be upon you, blessed be you! So enter, you remain in it.”
The wisdom of believing in angels
In the book Lautan Hikmah Becoming a Beneficial Person, it is explained how with us having faith can be one of the bases to calm the heart, calm the soul, and give instructions within.
Here is the wisdom gained if we believe in angels:
- It is one form of human piety to Allah SWT.
- Strengthen faith in Allah SWT.
- will always pray and always forgive for others.
- People who believe in angels are always kept away from sinning.
- Always be thankful to Allah SWT, be thankful for realizing that Allah has created angels to help all human lives.
- Establishing a feeling of pleasure to do good deeds.
- Feeling afraid if he has committed an immoral act or is about to commit an immoral act, because he is confident that all actions will not escape the supervision of angels.
- People who believe in angels will always fear Allah SWT, and compete in doing good deeds.
- Always to always think and be careful in everything you do, because good or bad deeds will always be held accountable in the afterlife.
- Be sure that the help of Allah SWT is a real thing.
- Always to be honest, trustworthy and do good.
- The faith in yourself will be much stronger and much more confident in Allah SWT.
- People who believe in angels have perfect faith.
- Cultivate a sense to always glorify the name of Allah SWT, because with the power of Allah SWT he has created angels, special creatures in the eyes of Allah.
- Avoid people if they want to do bad or reprehensible actions.
- Adding to the awareness that nature exists that cannot be reached by the five human senses.
- Increase enthusiasm in worship and always be sincere in performing worship even if there is no one to see, but confident that God and his angels can witness the act.