THE MALAA`IKAH

The Malaa`ikah or angels are a celestial creation of Allah . The substance from which Allah created them is called Noor which is a celestial or hallowed light. Its actual constituents and properties are unknown to us.

The Noor which is the original matter of the Malaa`ikah has its origin in water just as sand and fire have their origin in water. The Noor of the Malaa`ikah is thus a physical or material substance of an extremely fine and subtle nature.

Malaa`ikah are sinless. They have no propensity or nafs of evil in them. Disobedience never occurs to them. They are constant in the duties Allah has imposed on them.

Their number is innumerable. They inhabit the seven heavens and are present in countless numbers executing multitudes of duties on earth.

Belief in the existence of Malaa`ikah is an article of Imaan . The rejector of the existence of Malaa`ikah is a kaafir.

Among the Malaa`ikah the chief and most splendid is Hadhrat Jibraeel (AS). Wahi (Revelation) to the Ambiyaa(AS) came via the medium of Jibraeel (AS). Hadhrat Israeel (AS) is the Angel of Death and is known as Malakul Maut. He is in charge of the death of creatures. Hadhrat Meekaa`eel (AS) is the Angel appointed to e in charge of the rains. Hadhrat Israfeel (AS) is the Angel whose task it will be to sound the soor or the Trumpet which will be the material agency of the destruction of the universe at the advent of Qiyaamah. Munkar and Nakeer are the two Angels deputed to question the dead. Mulhim is the Angel of guidance. Every Muslim is at all times accompanied by Mulhim who inspires hidaayat into man's heart.

Malaa`ikah have no gender, i.e. they are neither masculine nor feminine.

Among the Malaa`ikah to whom special reference has been made by the Qur'aan Shareef, are the Angels guarding Jahannam. The Qur'aan states clearly that nineteen Malaa`ikah stand guard over Jahannum. In recent times, certain people who have strayed from the Path of Imaan have refuted this Quranic fact. It is, therefore, essential that some explanation on the nineteen Malaa`ikah of Jahannum be given here so that Muslims may not fall into the Kufr of accepting the rejection of the aayat put forward by some modernists.

Regarding the group of Malaaikah guarding Jahanum, the Qur'aan Shareef states:

“Over it (Jahannam) are nineteen.”