Believing in angels and the Divine Books

[ابوالوليد المسلم]

Believing in angels and the Divine Books

Abu Al Hasan Hisham Al Mahjuby and Fadlullah



Believing in angels:
It means firm belief in the existence of angels as being luminous creatures which cannot be seen with eyes and who were created for worshipping and obeying Allah. Allah (may He be Exalted) singled them out with being near Him and warned those who do not believe in them with His Wrath. Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says: "Say (O Muhammad peace be upon him): "Whoever is an enemy to Jibrael (Gabriel) (let him die in his fury), for indeed he has brought it (this Qur'ân) down to your heart by Allâh's Permission, confirming what came before it [i.e. the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] and guidance and glad tidings for the believers. * "Whoever is an enemy to Allâh, His Angels, His Messengers, Jibrael (Gabriel) and Mikael (Michael), then verily, Allâh is an enemy to the disbelievers."[1].

Angels go between heavens and the earth to carry out the commands of Allah. Some of them accompany people and bear witness against their actions, while others lift the actions of people to Allah, whereas others take out souls. As for the impacts of a Muslim's belief in angels, of the greatest is hastening to do righteous deeds and avoiding sins so that angels would not testify against a person on the Day of Resurrection. Also, belief in angels motivates a believer to imitate them in obedience and purifying himself.

Belief in the Divine Books:
It means firm belief that Allah (may He be Exalted) revealed some Scriptures to His Messengers, such as: The sheets of Abraham, the Torah which was revealed to Moses, the psalm that was revealed to David, and the Bible which was revealed to Jesus, and the Qur'an which was revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him) to reform people and guide them to things which guide them to their success. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Mankind were one community and Allâh sent Prophets with glad tidings and warnings, and with them He sent down the Scripture in truth to judge between people in matters wherein they differed." [2].

Belief in the Divine Books entails loving, revering, and believing that the Glorious Qur'an is the best and the controller over them, and that Allah (may He be Exalted) has undertaken to guard it against any decrease, distortion, or loss. Allah (He may be Glorified) says: "Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur'ân) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption)." [3].

Allah also said: "Indeed, there has come to you from Allâh a light (Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him) and a plain Book (this Qur'ân). (15) Wherewith Allah guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of peace, and He brings them out of darkness by His Will unto light and guides them to a Straight Way (Islamic Monotheism)." [4].

The benefit of believing in the Divine Books is believing that Allah (may He be Exalted) is the revealer of guidance and the Law Giver, and that a Muslim does not take his way of life except from the revelation of Allah. Accordingly, resorting to the book of Allah in arbitration guarantees assurance and happiness in the world and in the Hereafter to a believer.

[1] Surat Al Baqarah: Surat 2 - [97 - 98].

[2] Surat Al Baqarah: Surat 2 - [213].

[3] Surat Al Hijr: Surat 15 - [9].

[4] Surat Al Ma'idah: Surat 5 - [16 - 15].