The wisdom of believing in angels – In Islam, there are 6 things that are in the pillars of faith and must be believed by all Muslims throughout the world. One of them is believing in angels. It is not without reason why Muslims are required to believe in the angels of Allah SWT. Because there are several lessons from believing in angels that we will get.
In general, faith in angels means believing that angels that Allah SWT created from light or nur exist. Although they cannot be seen by the human eye.
In addition, we must also believe that they have special qualities. There are 10 angels that we must believe in, starting from the angels Gabriel, Michael, Israfil, Izrail, Munkar, Nakir, Raqib, Atid, Malik, and also Ridwan.
Each of them has different duties, starting from being tasked with conveying the revelations of Allah SWT, providing sustenance, asking in the grave, to being on duty at the gates of heaven and hell.
The Wisdom of Believing in Angels
There are many things we can take from believing in angels, including:
1. Become more obedient in worshiping Allah SWT
Angels are creatures that Allah SWT created to obey Him. This makes all angels always worship and also submit to the commands of Allah SWT that have been established. As Allah says in Surah Al-A’raf verse 206, which means:
“Indeed, the angels who are with your Lord are not reluctant to worship Allah and they glorify Him and only to Him they prostrate.” (QS. Al-A’raf: 206)
2. Understand that all actions will be recorded
Of the 10 angels that we must believe in, there are two angels who are always on the left and right of humans. These two angels are Angel Raqib and Atib. Angel Rqib has the task of recording the good deeds that humans have done. Meanwhile, angel Atid has the task of recording all the bad things and sins that humans have done. As the word of Allah SWT in the letter Qaf verses 16-18 which means:
Meaning, “And indeed We have created man and know what his heart whispers, and We are closer to him than his jugular vein, (namely) when two angels record his deeds, one sits on the right and the other sits on the left. He does not utter a single word but there is a supervising angel nearby who is always present,” (QS. Qaf: 16-18)
3. Believe in sustenance from Allah SWT
Angel Michael is an angel who has the task of providing sustenance to all mankind from Allah SWT. Humans can learn from this incident that Allah SWT has determined every provision that exists and will not be confused. As Allah SWT says in Surah Ar-Ra’d verse 11, which means:
Meaning, “For humans there are angels who always follow them in turns, in front of and behind them, they guard them at the command of Allah. Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change the situation that exists within themselves. And if Allah desires evil for a people, then no one can resist it; and there is absolutely no protector for them besides Him.” (QS. Ar-Ra’d: 11)
4. Believe That There Will Be Life After Death
After life in the world is over, it does not mean that humans will live freely. Because all actions that have been done in the world will be accounted for in the afterlife. Starting from when we are in the grave, there are two Angels Munkar and Nakir who will ask about our faith, starting from God, religion, to the prophet. As the word of Allah SWT in the letter of Ibrahim verse 27, which means:
“Allah confirms (the faith) of those who believe with firm words in life in this world and in the hereafter; and Allah misleads those who are pious and do what He wills.” (QS. Ibrahim: 27).
The book Angels in the Quran: The Supernatural Beings Series discusses the existence of angels in relation to human life. In this book, various things are explained, starting from the wisdom of believing in angels, believing in the existence of angels, the abilities of angels, the types of angels and their functions, and the relationship of angels to human activities.
5. Perfect your faith in Allah SWT
The next wisdom of believing in angels is that humans will learn to perfect their faith in Allah SWT. Because angels here are creations of Allah SWT and know how great the creator of the angels themselves is.
6. Present a sense of gratitude to Allah SWT
Angels always pray to Allah SWT and pray for Muslims who pray for their brothers. Apart from that, angels also have their own duties and jobs to help humans, for example managing sustenance and also sending rain.
Everything done by angels will certainly be beneficial for humans and can bring a sense of gratitude to Allah SWT. In the letter Al-Mukmin verse 7 it is explained that the angels always pray for the believers.
(The angels) who carry the Throne and the angels around them glorify their Lord and they believe in Him and ask for forgiveness for those who believe (while saying): “Our Lord, Your mercy and knowledge encompasses everything, so grant forgiveness to those who repent and follow Your path and protect them from the torment of the burning hell, (QS Al Mukmin: 7)
7. Be more careful in your actions
Muslims certainly know and always remember that angels will always watch and record all our deeds, whether good or bad. Therefore, believing in the existence of Allah SWT’s angels will make us always careful in acting and speaking and always afraid to commit sinful acts.
The wisdom of believing in angels can also encourage humans not to follow desires that will lead them astray and make humans imitate angels’ loyalty to Allah SWT.
8. Believe in Allah SWT’s help
Because angels will always pray for believers, then we do not need to be afraid anymore if we need help from Allah SWT. Because, prayers from angels are always answered by Allah SWT. There is a saying that says if we cannot ask for help from the inhabitants of the earth, then ask for help from the inhabitants of the sky or angels.
The Wisdom of Believing in Angels According to Their Duties
In this section, we will discuss the wisdom of believing in angels that we know with their duties. Because, each angel has a special task from Allah SWT in guarding the universe. As we know that in the Quran it is recorded that there are 10 angels that we must believe in. Then, what are the duties and wisdom of believing in angels that we can get?
1. The Wisdom of Believing in the Angels Raqib and Atid
The task of the angels Raqib and Atid is to record all the deeds that we have done while in the world. Specifically, the angel Raqib will record all the good deeds, while the angel Atid will record all the bad deeds that we have done. So, what is the wisdom of believing in the angels Raqib and Atid?
- We will always try to increase our good deeds or charities, because we believe that the record of these good deeds will bring Allah’s grace and everything is recorded in detail by the Angels.
- We will always try to leave sinful deeds or other bad deeds, because we ourselves believe that all these bad records will bring the wrath of Allah because everything will be recorded by the angels in detail.
All of these notes, whether small or large, will not be left behind and will be recorded perfectly and we will also receive these notes in the afterlife.
Introducing the duties of angels to your child is recommended to be taught from an early age. Through the stories in the Getting to Know Angels Series book – The Duties of Angels: The Fun of Riding an Iron Bird , children will more easily get to know angels and learn to be grateful and understand the wisdom of believing in angels.
2. The Wisdom of Believing in the Angels of Munkar and Nakir
The task of the Angels Munkar and Nakir is to ask several questions related to who Allah is, who the Prophet is, and the religion of Islam in the grave. The following are some of the wisdom of believing in the Angels Munkar and Nakir, including:
- We will always find out by studying religion about monotheism and aqidah, because all the questions that will be asked in the grave are matters of Aqidah that every Muslim is obliged to learn.
- In addition, we must also be sure that all of these questions if asked outwardly now, then it will certainly be very easy to answer. However, it will be different when we are in the grave later. Because all of that will be related to our deeds and beliefs when we were still in the world. If we have good faith and practice that faith, then it will be easy to answer all the questions of the angels Munkar and Nakir.
3. The Wisdom of Believing in the Angel Izrail
The main task of the Angel Izrail is to take the life of every human being in the world. Many of us call the angel Izrail the angel of death. So, what is the wisdom of believing in the angel Izrail that we will feel?
- We will always be steadfast or firm in our stance in obeying the commands of Allah SWT, because we ourselves believe that death will come and we never know when it will happen.
- Because of the ignorance of when the time will come, we will try to prepare so that when the angel Izrail comes, we are already in the best condition so that we can get the title of someone who gets husnul khotimah. Don’t let us die in the worst condition. Because, that will make us die in a state of su’ul khotimah.
We must be sure and aware that the angel Izrail does not discriminate when he comes to take someone’s life. Whether the person is in a good place or a bad place.
4. Wisdom of Faith in the Angel Gabriel
The angel Gabriel is an angel who has the task of conveying revelations from Allah SWT to the Prophets and Apostles. The wisdom of believing in the angel Gabriel himself, includes:
We will know that Allah SWT always protects this nature with sunnatullah or what he has determined. Because in fact, Allah SWT could have directly imparted the Koran to the prophets and apostles.
However, by assigning the angel Gabriel, this makes everything that goes on in this world more rational and in accordance with the sunnatullah. In addition, we are also more enthusiastic to memorize and understand the meaning of each verse in the Quran and want to practice the contents of the Quran itself.
5. The Wisdom of Believing in the Angel Michael
The task of the angel Michael is to regulate the distribution of sustenance to all mankind and we must know that sustenance is not only about wealth. However, sustenance itself has a very broad scope, such as health, rain, good descendants, and all the good things we have.
The distribution of sustenance by the angel Michael will also not be misplaced. That means, every human sustenance has been written in the lauhul mahfudz and every creature has its own share of sustenance. The wisdom of believing in the angel Michael is that we will always feel sufficient and also grateful to Allah SWT for all the sustenance obtained.
6. The Wisdom of Believing in the Angel Israfil
The task of the angel Israfil is to blow the trumpet when the Day of Judgment comes. This is the last moment when the world will be destroyed and replaced by the afterlife. The wisdom of believing in the angel Israfil himself is that we will always be sure that the Day of Judgment will come and of course with this belief will increase our faith in Allah SWT.
7. Wisdom of Belief in Angel Malik
The task of the angel Malik is to guard the gates of hell. Where the angel Malik has a harsh nature and has no compassion for the inhabitants of hell. The wisdom of believing in the angel Malik is that we will avoid meeting the angel Malik because anyone who meets him is certain to be in hell. The effect of this is that we will always leave sin and also do good deeds to avoid the angel Malik.
8. Wisdom of Faith in Angel Ridwan
The task of the angel Ridwan is as the guardian of the gates of heaven. The angel Ridwan will welcome all servants of Allah who will enter His heaven. For his own nature, the angel Ridwan has a gentle and friendly nature.
The wisdom of believing in the angel Ridwan is that we will always do good and pious deeds and leave sins because we want to meet this angel who is very soothing to the heart.
Certainly, the people who will meet the angel Ridwan are the inhabitants of heaven, and everyone in this world certainly hopes to be able to enter the heaven of Allah SWT.
Every Muslim definitely dreams of a house that is always attended by Allah’s angels and kept away from Satan! The presence of angels will make our home like heaven. Their presence in the house will create an aura of tranquility, coolness and spiritual peace. Can we invite the presence of angels? How can angels be willing to come and visit our house?
How to create a blessed home? What deeds can bring angels? This book can motivate ourselves to be more active in doing good deeds and make our home like heaven and understand the wisdom of believing in angels.
Why Should Muslims Believe in Angels?
Believing in angels means that we believe in the existence of angels that Allah SWT has created. In addition, humans are also required to believe in their existence even though their form is not visible. The reason why Muslims must believe in the existence of angels as creatures created by Allah SWT is because this is included in the second pillar of faith in the teachings of Islam.
Belief in angels is stated in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 285, which means:
Meaning: “The Messenger believed in the Qur’an which was sent down to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. All of them believe in Allah, His angels, His books, and His messengers. (They said) ‘We do not differentiate between any one (and another) from His messengers’, and they said ‘We are with and we obey’. (They prayed) ‘Forgive us O our Lord and to You. a place to return to’.