Article of Faith

Belief in God's Angels - Key Points:

1. Angels and Tawheed:

o Belief in angels purifies the concept of Tawheed and prevents any form of shirk
(polytheism).
o Angels are not to be worshipped or associated with God.
2. Nature of Angels:
o Angels are spiritual beings, created by Allah from light, and are free from sin.
o They do not have free will and can never disobey Allah’s commands.
o They are engaged in carrying out Allah's orders, not controlling elements like
air, water, etc.
3. Role of Angels:
o They observe and record all human actions (good and bad) and will present a
complete record on the Day of Judgment.
o They do not intercede for humans except by Allah's permission.
4. Prohibitions and Beliefs:
o Worshipping angels or associating them with Allah in divinity is forbidden.
o Denial of angels is considered kufr (disbelief).
5. No Fallen Angels:
o In Islam, there are no fallen angels. Satan is a jinn, not an angel.
o Angels are not divided into good or evil.
6. Greatest Angels:
o Gabriel (Jibril) is the greatest angel and appeared to Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) in his original form.
o The attendants of Allah's Throne are among the greatest, with immense size and
power.
7. Attributes of Angels:
o Angels do not eat, drink, or get tired.
o They are constantly engaged in worshiping Allah, without rest or slackening.

Key Takeaways:

 Angels are obedient servants of Allah, not divine, and must not be worshipped.
 They record human deeds and have no free will.
 Belief in angels is a core aspect of Islamic faith and critical for purifying Tawheed.

The Number of Angels:

 Only Allah knows the exact number of angels.

  Every day, 70,000 angels visit the Kaaba in Mecca, leaving without returning, followed
by another group.

Names of Angels:

 Key angels in Islam include:

o Jibril (Gabriel) – Messenger of God.
o Mika'eel (Michael) – Responsible for rain.
o Israfeel – Responsible for blowing the horn on the Day of Judgment.
o Malik – The guardian of Hell.
 Gabriel and Michael are also mentioned in the Bible.

Angelic Abilities:

 Angels can take human forms in certain situations:

o Gabriel appeared as a man to Maryam and Abraham.
o Gabriel visited Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in different forms.
 Gabriel is the heavenly messenger of God who brings revelation to the prophets.

Tasks of the Angels:

1. Executing God's commands:

o Mika'eel (Michael) controls rain, winds, and clouds.
o Israfeel blows the horn at the Day of Judgment.
o Angel of Death and helpers take souls at death.
2. Guardian angels: Protect believers throughout life.
3. Recording angels: Record good and bad deeds (the "sacred scribes").
4. Testing angels: Munkar and Nakeer test people in the grave.
5. Other roles:
o Angels breathe soul into fetuses and record provisions and actions.
o Angels search for gatherings where God is remembered.
o Heavenly army: Angels worship God, standing in rows, never tiring.

Significance:

 Angels vary in roles, numbers, and powers.

 Belief in angels affirms faith in Allah's creation and power, showcasing His
magnificence.

Key Takeaways:

 70,000 angels visit the Kaaba daily.

 Angels are assigned various important tasks such as protecting, recording deeds, and
worshipping.
  Angels possess the ability to appear as humans in certain circumstances.

Faith in the Books of God:

1. Revelation to Prophets:
o God revealed books to His Prophets before Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),
including the Books of Prophet Abraham, the Torah of Prophet Moses, the
Zabur (Psalms) of Prophet David, and the Injil (Gospel) of Prophet Jesus.
2. Alterations in Previous Books:
o These books have been altered and corrupted over time. Jews and Christians
acknowledge that they no longer possess the original texts, only translations that
have changed over centuries.
3. The Qur'an’s Role:
o The Qur'an confirms and completes the teachings of the earlier books, addressing
the same God and the same divine message.
o Unlike earlier texts, the Qur'an has remained unchanged and preserved in its
original form, unlike other sacred texts which have been altered.
4. Key Differences Between the Qur'an and Previous Books:

1. Preservation: The Qur'an remains unchanged; earlier books have been lost or
altered.
2. Purity of Message: The Qur'an is purely the word of God, whereas previous
books mixed human words with God’s.
3. Historical Evidence: The Qur'an has clear, authentic evidence of being revealed
to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), unlike earlier books.
4. Language: The language of the Qur'an is still spoken today, while the languages
of earlier books are no longer in use.
5. Universality: Previous books were meant for specific peoples and time periods;
the Qur'an is for all of humanity, timeless and universal.
6. Comprehensiveness: While earlier books taught morality, the Qur'an is
comprehensive and contains all the teachings necessary for a virtuous life,
perfecting what the previous books began.

Key Takeaways:

 Faith in all revealed books is essential in Islam.

 Previous books were altered over time, while the Qur'an remains pure and
unchanging.
 The Qur'an is for all of humanity, offering a complete and eternal code for life.

Faith in God's Prophets:

1. Difference Between Nabi (Prophet) and Rasool (Messenger):

 o Rasool: Receives a new Divine book, performs miracles, establishes a new code
of law, and invites people to a new Deen (religion).
o Nabi: Does not receive a new book but follows and reaffirms the teachings of the
Rasool before him, continuing the existing code of law.
2. Belief in All Prophets:
o 124,000 Prophets were sent by God to guide mankind. We must believe in all of
them, especially those named in the Qur'an.
o While we may not know about some Prophets outside those mentioned in the
Qur'an, we respect all holy figures and remain silent about their status as
Prophets, to avoid disrespect.
3. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) vs. Other Prophets:
o For the Whole World: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent for all of
humanity, while earlier Prophets were sent to specific people for limited times.
o Preservation of Teachings: The teachings of earlier Prophets have been altered,
whereas the teachings, biography, and life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are
preserved in full.
o Completion of Guidance: Previous Prophets brought partial guidance, which was
progressively amended. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) brought the final, complete
guidance, rendering earlier codes obsolete.
4. Obligation to Follow Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):
o Faith in Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is essential for being a true Muslim:
 He is a true Prophet of God.
 His teachings are perfect, free from error.
 He is the Last Prophet, and no new Prophet will come after him.

Key Takeaways:

 Rasool brings a new law and book, while Nabi continues the teachings of previous
Prophets.
 Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the last and most complete Prophet, and his teachings
are perfect and for all of humanity.

The Finality of Prophethood:

1. The Concept of Prophethood:

o Prophethood is a rare and significant event, and a Prophet's presence is not
required at all times or places. As long as a Prophet's teachings live on, they
continue to guide people.
2. Corruption of Earlier Teachings:
o Previous Prophets' teachings have been distorted, leading to the loss of their
original texts (e.g., Torah, Zabur, Injil). Their lives have become mixed with
legends, making it impossible to know the exact details of their lives and
teachings.
3. Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) Teachings:
 o Unlike earlier Prophets, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)'s teachings are preserved
uncorrupted. The Qur'an and the records of his life remain intact and accessible,
providing eternal guidance for humanity.
4. No Need for a New Prophet:
o Three conditions that would necessitate the arrival of a new Prophet no longer
exist:
1. Distortion of earlier teachings: The teachings of Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) are intact.
2. Incomplete teachings: The teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are
complete.
3. Need for a Prophet for a different nation: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
was sent to all of humanity, not just a specific group.
5. Islam is a Complete Religion:
o Islam is a comprehensive way of life for all time. It has provided complete
guidance for humanity, addressing both the world and the hereafter. It adapts to
the changing world through ijtihad (interpretation) but remains rooted in eternal
principles.
6. The Last Prophet:
o Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the final Prophet, as declared in the Qur'an
and Hadith. His message was meant for all humanity, and no Prophet will come
after him. His teachings are preserved perfectly, and there is no need for new
guidance.
7. Mission of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):
o The world does not need a new Prophet, but true followers of Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) who live by his teachings and propagate his message to
establish a society based on Divine Law.

Key Takeaways:

 Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the last and final Prophet, and his teachings are
preserved for all of humanity.
 There is no need for new Prophethood, as Islam provides complete, eternal guidance.
 The mission is to follow Prophet Muhammad's teachings and establish a society governed
by Divine Law.