Chapter 2: Mysteries of the Celestial Realm Unveiled, Angels in Islamic Tradition

The Unseen Realm and the Angels

Note: All these images are generated from ai through text from human imagination and intelligence. It is not an accurate or maybe near accurate to the reality because these things are beyond our imagination.

As we stand in awe of the creation of the skies and Earth, it becomes evident that there exists another extraordinary creation of Allah, hidden from our senses—the celestial beings known as "Malaika" or angels. In this chapter, we venture into the depths of the angelic realm, unraveling the mysteries surrounding these celestial entities. We will explore their essence, celestial abodes, appearances, and the profound importance of believing in their existence, as emphasized in the Quran.

The Invisible Enigma

But why, one might ask, are angels concealed from our sight? What prevents us from witnessing these celestial beings? In the Quran, Allah swears by "that which we can see and that which is beyond our vision." Here, we confront the fact that a vast portion of the universe remains imperceptible to us. But why is this so?

The Spectrum of Perception

The answer lies in the concept of the electromagnetic spectrum. Everything in the universe emits various types of light or signals, creating a spectrum of evidence for their existence. This spectrum encompasses different frequencies, wavelengths, and photon energies. However, only a tiny fraction of this spectrum falls within the "visible spectrum"—the region that the human eye can perceive. This segment comprises the seven colors of visible light.

This revelation underscores that 99.9965% of the universe remains hidden from our senses, undetectable and invisible to us. Anything that falls outside the confines of this visible spectrum remains beyond our reach.

The Limitations of Scientific Inquiry

In this context, it becomes evident that science alone cannot unveil the entirety of existence. Its limitations become evident when faced with realms beyond the visible spectrum, leaving us with the Quran and Hadith as the primary sources of understanding the unseen, including angels.

Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) conveyed that Allah created angels from "noor," often translated as a cold light. But what kind of light is this "noor"? It remains a mystery. Notably, it is not a light from the visible spectrum, composed of seven distinct colors.

The Etymology of Angels

The Quran uses the term "Malaika," derived from two possible root words. The first, "mala-ka," signifies "he ruled over," alluding to their submission to Allah. The second, possibly from the Hebrew "mala-kh," denotes "the messenger," emphasizing their role as bearers of divine messages to humanity.

The Incorporeal Nature of Angels

Angels possess unique attributes that set them apart from humans. They do not experience fatigue, hunger, emotions, or the physical requirements of earthly beings. They exist beyond the confines of worldly needs and desires.

Guardians of the Unborn

Upon a human's conception, an angel is assigned to accompany them throughout their existence. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) conveyed that when a fetus forms, Allah assigns an angel who observes its development within the womb.

Divine Destiny

As the fetus reaches its final form, the angel assigned to it seeks Allah's guidance regarding four crucial aspects: gender, lifespan, sustenance, and destiny. These determinations are recorded by the angel as decreed by Allah.

In our exploration of the unseen realm, we will gradually ascend the hierarchy of angels. Beginning with those closely associated with humanity, we will ascend to the mighty angels at the pinnacle of angelic hierarchy. Throughout this journey, we aim to gain a profound understanding of these celestial beings, their roles, and their profound significance in the divine plan.

Indeed, angels occupy vast expanses of the universe with divine tasks to fulfill. These celestial beings are not mere observers; they are active participants in maintaining the balance and order of the cosmos. But what exactly are the tasks assigned to these magnificent creations?

Do you remember the guardian angel who watched over us in our mother's womb or protected us during our formative years? Allah has appointed angels for various roles, and these tasks continue day and night.

Consider the responsibilities of angels involved in the natural world. Some angels are entrusted with the task of managing clouds and directing the winds. When the people of Ta'if defied the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during his mission, an angel responsible for the great mountains appeared. The angel offered to crush the people between the mountains, highlighting the angels' vast range of tasks.

In a hadith reported in Ibn-e-Maja, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explained that the angel of the clouds informed him that the quantity of rainfall is determined by Allah's divine decree. Even the elements of weather, hidden from human sight, are under the watchful eye of angels.

Angelic interactions with humanity are not limited to prophecy. Angels have intervened in various instances to fulfill Allah's plan. These celestial beings serve as messengers of Allah, relaying His guidance and wisdom to both prophets and non-prophets alike.

The Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) encountered angels who brought him divine messages, as mentioned in Surah Hijr. Likewise, the Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) received a visit from angels during his mission, described in the same surah. The angelic visitation to the Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him), bearing glad tidings, illustrates their continuous role in the divine plan.

This deep and multifaceted connection between angels and humanity is an integral part of Islamic belief. Angels facilitate communication between the Creator and His creation, ensuring that divine guidance reaches us.

But what remains intriguing is the exact whereabouts of these celestial beings within the vast expanse of the universe. Quranic references indicate that angels are ever-present throughout the cosmos, bowing in prostration to Allah. The skies resound with their worship and submission.

In a profound hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shared that we cannot perceive the sights and sounds he witnessed in the heavens. The skies resounded with the celestial praise and prostration of angels. If we were privy to this celestial spectacle, our laughter would be replaced by a sense of wonder, and tears would flow from the depth of our souls.

This cosmic reality underscores the profound and intricate relationship between angels, the universe, and the Divine. Angels exist in realms beyond our comprehension, tirelessly carrying out their assigned tasks. Their presence and actions are a testament to Allah's supreme wisdom and governance of the universe.

As we continue our exploration of angels, we will delve deeper into their classifications, roles, and significance in Islam and the broader cosmic order. The celestial realm is vast, and its secrets are waiting to be unveiled.

In the ongoing narrative, we explore further interactions between angels and various individuals, shedding light on their diverse roles and appearances. Notably, angels often presented themselves in human form when interacting with non-prophets, a practice that can be found in Surah Maryam, where the angel appeared as a man. This raises intriguing questions, which we'll delve into shortly.

Muhammad (peace be upon him) once shared an intriguing insight about the people of Israeel, mentioning that angels conversed with certain individuals among them, even though these individuals were not prophets of Allah. It's fascinating to note that angels frequently entered human dwellings, but some conditions determined when they refrained from entering. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that angels avoid entering houses containing images or dogs.

However, certain extraordinary occasions prompted angels to visit. For instance, there is an account of a unique moment when the angel Jibraeel was in the company of the Prophet. They heard an unusual sound, resembling the opening of a door. Jibraeel turned his gaze toward the sky and remarked that a door had opened today, a door previously unopened. Through this door, a distinct angel descended and delivered glad tidings to the Prophet. This angel revealed the existence of two "noors," blessings hitherto unseen, and foretold that the Prophet would receive them. The first blessing became Surah Al-Fatiha, and the second manifested as the final two verses of Surah Al-Baqara.

On another occasion, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed Umm Salma (may Allah be pleased with her) to clean the house for an angel whose descent was unprecedented. This angel was the one who forewarned the Prophet about his grandson Hussain's (may Allah be pleased with him) martyrdom and even indicated the red earth where this somber event would occur.

But how do angels descend to Earth and ascend to the heavens? The answer is found in the fourth verse of Surah Ma'arij, where it's mentioned that angels traverse specific pathways. These pathways cover vast distances, equivalent to 50,000 years' travel, yet angels traverse them in a single day. An additional hadith elaborates on how angels employ these pathways or portals, emphasizing that angels cannot ascend from Earth without reciting the phrase "there is no power nor strength except Allah."

Before we delve into the realm of the mightiest angels, let's introduce you to three intriguing names—Irte'aael, an angel who alleviates sorrow from our hearts; a celestial craftsman, as reported by Ka'b Bin Ahbar, responsible for creating heavenly jewels that outshine the sun; and Zulqurnain, whose mention in Surah Kahf occasionally leads scholars to consider him an angel.

Now, we embark on a journey through the skies to unveil some of the most formidable angels. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) shared accounts of numerous angels witnessed by the Prophet during his miraculous night ascension. Drawing upon these reports, a 10th-century scholar, Abu Ishaq Ath-Thalbi, provided intricate details in his tafsir. He described an angel residing in the first sky, Raqiya, characterized by a body of half ice and half fire, with neither element extinguishing the other. Further in his tafsir, Ath-Thalbi detailed an angel in the third sky, Qaidoum, endowed with a remarkable 70,000 heads. Each head boasted 70,000 mouths, each mouth held 70,000 tongues, and each tongue spoke 70,000 languages. This angel ceaselessly praised the Almighty Allah, and each utterance resulted in the creation of an angel, capable of perceiving other angels, although they remained unseen by others.

In the same tafsir, the fourth sky, Maaouna, is said to be inhabited by Kisfaaeil, the angel of tears. Moving to the fifth sky, Reeqa'a, we encounter an angel responsible for guarding Hell, serving as its custodian. Surah Zukhruf mentions this custodian of Hell, to whom people will plead for a swift death. Yet, he will respond, "No, you must remain here for eternity."

Maalik, the custodian angel, embodies one of the most enigmatic figures in the celestial hierarchy. Not only is he mysterious, but those under his command also possess unique qualities and roles that warrant exploration. As we unravel more about these celestial beings, it becomes evident that the realm of angels is far more complex and awe-inspiring than we can fathom.

The 10th verse of Surah Alaq is rooted in a historical incident. Amr bin Hasham, commonly known as Abu Jahl, frequently disrupted the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) prayers. On one occasion, during the Prophet's prayer near the Ka'ba, Abu Jahl taunted him. The Prophet responded firmly, provoking Abu Jahl's anger. He boasted of having more supporters present in that place than the Prophet. This confrontation led to the summoning of the "zabaniyya" mentioned in the 17th and 18th verses of Surah Alaq.

Following this incident, Abu Jahl attempted to place his foot on the Prophet's neck. However, he abruptly recoiled and shielded himself with his hands. When asked about this startling reaction, he recounted a chilling encounter: "Between me and Muhammad, a trench of fire, wings, and a terrifying scene materialized." The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) confirmed that had Abu Jahl drawn closer, the angels would have torn him apart.

Zabaaniyya, the angels of punishment and custodians of Hell, are enigmatic beings overseeing the depths of the inferno—a subject that continues to intrigue and mystify.

Many terrifying wings to which there is a very mysterious reference in Surah Mudathir, specifically in verse 19. The Ministry of Religious Affairs of Saudi Arabia has provided their interpretation of Zabaniyya as a certain class of angels that consists of 19 angels. But where are these angels mentioned? The answer lies in the 26th and 27th verses of the same Surah, Al-Saqqr.

What is Al-Saqqr? It is described at the end of the Surah. The description includes another incident: "Leave him alone to Me, whom I created alone." According to some scholars, this is a reference to Waleed-bin-Mugheera. The incident continues as follows: "We had given him much fortune; he thought of a plan, woe be to him, what an evil plan he thought. He watched, he frowned and scowled, then stepped back because of his pride and said, 'This is just magic which has been copied. Soon, I will put him into Saqqr.' And what do you know of Saqqr? Neither does it leave one alive, nor does it let him die."

After discussing these terrifying angels, I want to introduce you to a beautiful place that Allah has sworn by in Surah Tur - "The Much Frequented House," a place of worship on the 7th sky, known as "Areeba." This is where the angels worship, and it's referred to as "Bayt-al-Mamoor," which literally means a house that is frequently visited.

Prophet Muhammad described this house as always full of angels, with 70,000 angels visiting it for worship every day. They do not return until the final day comes. In fact, during the Night of Ascension, Prophet Muhammad saw Abraham sitting against its wall.

Prophet further explains the angels worshipping in this house, saying that Muslims are given preference over others in three ways, one of which is that Muslims worship in rows similar to those of the angels.

Now, let's delve into two angels mentioned not only in the Quran but also declared by Allah to be those with whom He declares enmity. The first is Angel Michael (A.S), whom scholars attribute to providing life sustenance to creatures. He may also command angels responsible for tasks like growing food and bringing rain. Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) sent his regards to him in his prayers.

The name of Michael is reported in a Hadith as "Ubaid-Allah" by Ali-Bin-Imran. Prophet Muhammad once asked Angel Jibraeil if he had ever seen Michael smiling. Jibraeil replied that Michael never smiled after Allah created the Hellfire.

Another powerful angel is assigned the task of blowing the trumpet on the final day. This trumpet is shaped like a horn, and the angel will blow it with his mouth, signaling the commencement of the last day. 

Prophet Muhammad said, "How can I rest when I know that Raphael has his mouth on the trumpet ready to blow, just waiting for permission from Allah?"

He further reported that ever since Raphael was assigned this task, he has his eyes fixed on the throne, waiting and never blinking, fearing that he might miss the order. His eyes are described as shining like stars.

Moving on from Raphael, there's another angel well-known to most Muslims: Angel Jibraeil, also known as Gabriel. He is mentioned by name four times in the Quran, twice in Surah Baqarah, once in Al-Nahl, and once in Al-Tahreem. He is also referred to as the mighty angel and the faithful angel in the Quran.

This angel has communicated with many of the prophets and has been assigned the most powerful tasks of bringing revelations and punishments. Ali bin Hussain reports that the real name of this angel is "Abdullah." This angel brought the first revelation, "Read! By the name of your Lord." Additionally, this angel took the Prophet in the Night of Ascension to the seventh sky.

Gabriel used to appear to the Prophet sometimes as Dahiya bin Khalifa Qalbi and at other times as a man with pure white clothes and extremely dark hair. However, the Prophet saw him twice in his original form. Once in Mecca and once near Sidra-tul-Muntaha on the Night of Ascension. In his original form, he appears as a mighty angel with 600 dark green wings, each of which covers the entire horizon. From each of these wings, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and gemstones fall. The nature of these stones is known only to Allah.

Prophet Muhammad reports an incident when he was descending the mountain in Mecca after meditation in solitude. He heard a strange sound three times and finally saw a great and mighty angel sitting on a chair between the earth and the sky, the same angel that visited him in the cave. He was scared and fell. When he reached home, he wished to cover himself with a blanket. It was at this moment that the starting verses of Surah Mudathir were revealed, instructing him to rise and alert the people.

There is another report about the angel Gabriel and another angel. Once, Prophet Muhammad was visited by the Jews who asked him five questions to test his prophethood. The fourth question was about someone named "Ra'ad." Prophet Muhammad replied that Ra'ad is an angel among the angels who is assigned to the clouds, wielding a fiery hunter to guide the clouds where Allah has instructed. The Jews asked about the sound of thunder, and the Prophet explained that it's the sound of Ra'ad's hunter. They accepted his answer.

They then asked about the companion angel who reveals messages. Prophet Muhammad replied that his companion angel is called Jibraeil (Gabriel). Upon hearing this, the Jews stood up and declared that Gabriel brings wars, battles, and punishments, making him an enemy angel. They said that if the angel had been Michael, who brings blessings, rain, and food, they would have accepted it. This incident led to the revelation in Al-Baqarah that whoever declares enmity against Gabriel, who revealed the Quran, is also an enemy of Allah.

Now, let's discuss the appearance of angels. Most people imagine angels with an innocent and benign appearance. However, not all angels fit this description. Some, like Munkar and Nakeer, have black faces and blue eyes. Others, like the Zabaniyyah, have many wings and reside in a pit of fire. There's also the angel who lives in the first sky, created with half fire and half ice, and the angel on the third sky, Qaidoum, with 70,000 heads, mouths, tongues, and languages.

When imagining these angels, it's hard not to be overwhelmed. Not all angels have an innocent appearance. For example, in the story of Prophet Joseph (A.S) in the court of the Lord of Egypt, women cut their fingers and mistakenly declared him to be an angel.

In the Bible, there's a detailed account of four types of angels. The first type is Cherubims, which are described as having four wings. The second type is Malakims, who resemble humans the most in their appearance. The third type is Seraphims, mentioned in the Book of Isaiah, and they have six wings. The fourth type, Ophanims, are the most mysterious, resembling golden wheels with hundreds of eyes outside the wheels.

There is also a Hadith that speaks of eight angels resembling wild goats, with the distance between their hooves and knees equivalent to the distance between two skies. Before concluding this chapter, I want to share two more kinds of angels with you.

In the most mysterious order or class mentioned in Surah Ghafir, there are those who carry the throne of God, and those who are near them, always praying and praising their Lord. There are eight angels who carry the throne of Allah, as reported by the companion of the Prophet, Jabir (R.A.). One of these angels is described as having the distance between his shoulder and ear measuring seven hundred years.

Ibn-e-Abbas reports that when Allah wills something, those carrying the throne praise Him, followed by those near them. This praise descends from heaven to heaven until it reaches the first sky of our world. From there, Jinnat and demons try to stealthily listen to it. The angels' praise sounds like a smooth stone being whipped with a metal chain, making the angels anxious and causing them to flutter their wings in excitement.

The angels around the carriers of the throne are mentioned in the Quran on four different occasions and are referred to as "Muqarraboun," meaning "those who are near." These angels watch over "Illiyin," near the throne of Allah, where a written book containing the souls and deeds of the virtuous is kept. Khwaja Mir Dard's poetry was inspired by these angels.

"Muqarraboun," "Karobiyaa," or "those who are near" are names for the same angels, and they are also mentioned in 3,000-year-old Assyrian literature as "Karribu," meaning creatures who are always praising. More details about "Muqarraboun" can be found in the 13th-century book "The Book of Wonderful and Strange Creatures" by Al-Qazwini.

The angels are immensely powerful beings that cannot be understood through science or measured on any Kardashev scale. Their appearance is beyond human comprehension. The human mind may not be ready to comprehend the angels, and their presence could be overwhelming.

In 1964, Russian scientist Nikolai Kardashev introduced the Kardashev Scale, which compares the abilities of humankind to other potential life forms in the universe. It categorizes civilizations into types based on their ability to harness energy. Humans are not even a Type 1 civilization, as we are far from harnessing the energy of our entire planet. Type 3 civilizations could control the energy of their entire galaxy, including black holes, white holes, and wormholes.

The angels and their capabilities defy any categorization on the Kardashev scale. Their existence is beyond human understanding. Just like the concept of "first contact" in anthropology, where unfamiliar beings encounter each other, humans may be incapable of comprehending angels due to their profound nature.

The Quran describes prophet Muhammad witnessing some of the greatest signs of his Almighty Lord during the Night of Ascension. He saw the sixth heaven, Daqna'a, made of pure gold and red rubies, with a magnificent lote tree called Sidra-al-Muntaha, where even beetles made of gold flutter around. In this celestial setting, Prophet Muhammad saw Gabriel in his true form, with six hundred dark green wings filled with precious gemstones.

Prophet Muhammad witnessed a sight of unparalleled beauty and power, and it left a lasting impact on him. The Quran attests to these extraordinary experiences in Surah Najm.

The chapter ends with a beautiful Hadith of Prophet Muhammad, describing how angels join gatherings where people remember Allah. These angels report back to Allah, and despite already knowing, Allah asks about His created beings. This Hadith emphasizes the importance of remembering Allah and the angels' role in conveying the intentions of those gathered.

In conclusion, the angels are beings beyond human comprehension, and their existence transcends scientific categorizations. They are among the most powerful creations of Allah, and their presence is awe-inspiring. The purpose of documenting their descriptions and roles is to praise and glorify Allah in the hope of His forgiveness.