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"Malaika" is the plural form of "Malak" which means angel. Angels are the light creations of Allah Almighty that we cannot see. Angels are bound by the command of Allah and are free from human attributes such as eating, drinking, sleeping, waking and all kinds of mistakes and sins. Angels can take different forms. Their purpose of creation of angels is the worship and obedience to Allah.The Almighty says:
Translation:
يُسَبِّحُونَ الَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ لَا يَفْتُرُونَ
They proclaim His purity night and day, never slackening. (Surah Al-Anbiya: 20).
Angels are created from light, just as Jinns are created from fire and man is created from clay. Allah created the angels before Adam (). Belief in angels is one of the basic beliefs of Islam. In the Holy Quran, Allah has mentioned about informing the angels about the decision of the creation of Adam. Angels perform various tasks according to the orders of Allah. As the angels descended in various wars so that the believers would not be broken hearted. Prophet Muhammad had shown concern about the spread of materialism near the Day of Judgement.
The light (noori) creation of angels is an invitation for the materialistic class to think that you are denying faith in the unseen (life Hereafter) but even in your worldly life, angels are performing affairs that are unseen in your daily life. So be sure that the resurrection will come one day.
i. Responsibilities of Angels
Allah has assigned different responsibilities to the angels. Among the famous angels are "Karaman kaatibeen", who are always present with man and write the record of man's deeds and present them before Allah Almighty.
Those angels who will ask questions in the grave are known as 'Munkir Nakeer'.
Hazrat Jibrael has the duty to bring revelations for the prophets , Hazrat Mikaeel has the responsibility to distribute livelihood among all creatures, Hazrat Izrael has the duty to take the souls of people, while Hazrat Israfeel has the responsibility of blowing the trumpet on the Day of Judgement.
Hazrat Jibrael used to appear in different forms while meeting the Prophet . Sometimes he would appear in disguise of the Companion of the Holy Prophet Hazart Dahiya Kalbi , An incident of the appearance of Hazrat Jibrael in human form is mentioned in the Hadith. This Hadith is called the Hadith of Jibrael. Hazrat Umar bin Khattab says, One day, we were sitting in the company of the Holy Prophet (say) when a man appeared in front of us whose clothes were very white and hair very black. There were no signs of travel on him and none of us even recognized him. He sat near the Holy Prophet and joined his knees with the knees of the Holy Prophet Jess) and placed his hands on his thighs and asked four questions: What are Iman, Islam, Ehsan and Signs of the day of judgement?
The Holy Prophet said that faith means believing in Allah, the angels, the heavenly books, the messengers, and the destiny (whether good or bad) and on the Day of Resurrection. And Islam: the Kalma-e-Shahadah, prayer, zakat, fasting and performing Hajj. Ehsan means worshiping Allah in such a way that either he is watching Allah or at least he thinks that Allah is watching him and then he described the Signs of resurrection. When the person left, the Holy Prophet said: That was Jibrael() and he was teaching you your religion.
The following manners of education and learning are clear from Hadith Jibrael:
i. Attending the teacher wearing clean clothes.
ii. Trying to sit near the teacher in class.
iii. Sitting politely/obediently in front of the teacher.
iv. Asking clear and concise questions.
v. Asking the next question after the teacher's explanation.
vi. Asking questions that benefit all students.
vii. Keeping in view the Hereafter along with the world in education and knowledge.
viii. Teacher encouraging students to ask questions.
ix. Answer clearly and concisely.
x. Avoiding unnecessary questions and wasting teacher's time.
We should have a sense of greatness in our hearts about the angels and be sure that Allah Almighty does not need angels in the affairs of the universe. Assigning these responsibilities to the angels is a means of achieving honor and obedience of Allah for the angels themselves.
