Asl wa DalilLearn the foundation • Understand the evidence • Act with knowledge
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The second pillar

Belief in the angels

We believe in the angels as revelation described them, and stop at what is established; we do not deny the unseen world, nor fill it with stories for which no evidence has come.

01

From the unseen world

Who are the angels?

The angels are honoured servants whom Allah created, upholding His obedience; they do not precede Him in speech and they act by His command. We believe in their existence in general, and in what is established of their names and deeds in detail.

02

What is established by evidence

How do we believe in them?

  • We believe that they are a real creation of Allah's creation, not symbols or abstract forces.
  • We believe in those whose names are established, such as Jibril, Mika'il, Israfil and Malik.
  • We believe in what is authentic of their functions: delivering revelation, recording deeds, taking souls and others.
  • We do not go beyond the texts to unknown stories or details without evidence.
03

The practical effect

What does this belief produce?

The Muslim becomes conscious of Allah's watchfulness and the recording of deeds, venerates the revelation that Jibril brought down, and his belief in the unseen world that Allah informed of increases.

  1. The Noble Qur'anAl-Anbiya' 26–27, al-Tahrim 6
    Original text
  2. The creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jama'ahThe official site of Shaykh Ibn Baz
    Source: the official site of Shaykh Ibn Baz
  3. Tafsir of Surat al-Nisa' — verse 136Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-'Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy on him — the definition of the angels and the obligation to believe in them
    Open the source