Muslim reader wrote to me last week and said, “It was interesting to read about angels according to Islamic beliefs, but what I still don't understand is: Why is belief in angels so important that it is considered a pillar of faith in Islam?” Sheikh Saleh Bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan, author of ‘Belief in Angels and its Effect on the Life of the Ummah' says, “Our purpose in learning about angels is not just for knowing about them for general understanding, rather, it is so that we become aware of their constant presence around us […] If we become conscious of the fact that there are two angels with us at all times recording our statements and actions, we would become careful of what we say and do…” Belief in the existence of angels and their duties has an undeniably positive effect on our Faith (Iman): • It heightens self-awareness and God-consciousness, which makes us realize that not only actions, but even intentions have consequences. The Qur'an tells us that there are two angels that accompany a person everywhere he goes, on his right side and his left, who record every word he utters (Qur'an, 50: 17-18). Similarly, according to a narration, angels even record a person's intentions: Abdullah Bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), related from his Lord (Glorified and Exalted be He): “Indeed Allah has recorded the good deeds and the evil deeds.” Then he clarified that: “Whosoever intends to do a good deed but does not do it, Allah records it with Himself as a complete good deed; but if he intends it and does it, Allah records it with Himself as 10 good deeds, up to 700 times, or more than that. But if he intends to do an evil deed and does not do it, Allah records it with Himself as a complete good deed; but if he intends it and does it, Allah records it down as one single evil deed.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) There is another narration to the same effect, that the angels say: “O Allah, this is Your servant and he intends to do a bad deed, while Allah is more aware about that. Allah says: ‘Watch him, and record it if he does it.'” Commenting on this narration, Imam An-Nawawi quoted Abu Ja`far Al-Tahawi as having said: “According to these Ahadith the angels appointed over human beings record man's intentions, contrary to those who say that angels only record apparent deeds.” • It encourages steadfastness in acts of worship. According to a narration, “There are angels who take turns in visiting you by night and by day, and they all assemble at the dawn (Fajr) and the late afternoon (`Asr) prayers. Those who have spent the night with you, ascend to the heaven and their Lord, Who knows better about them, asks: `In what condition did you leave My slaves?' They reply: `We left them while they were performing prayer (Salah) and we went to them while they were performing prayer.''' (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) Thus, when the angels come or go, the people who are punctual in their prayers are distinguished by their piety. Similarly, angels surround people who are constantly engaged in remembering Allah by themselves (for instance, by reciting the Qur'an) or in assemblies. This encourages a believer to increase their acts of worship and to perform them with greater focus and presence of mind. • It fosters love for creatures that are beloved to Allah. Belief in angels fosters love in our hearts for them, as they are free from any physical or spiritual blemish, completely devoted in their worship and obedience to their Lord. It is a feeling of love that is unlike any worldly emotions, since it is solely for the sake of Allah, and for the sake of being pleased with what He is pleased with. – SG Based on the book ‘Belief in Angels and its Effect on the Life of the Ummah', by Sheikh Saleh Bin Fawzan Al
