Untitled Document

Advice of Scholars - BELIEF IN ANGELS

Hadrat Imâm-i Rabbânî says in the  67th letter of the second volume of his Maktûbât:

Angels are Allah’s dear slaves. It is not possible for them to disobey Allah’s commands. They do what they are commanded. They do not get married. They do not bear children or multiply. Allâhu ta’âlâ has chosen some of them as prophets. He has honoured them with the task of carrying wahy. They are those who brought the Books and Suhûf to prophets. [For example, An’âm Sûra was brought by Hadrat Jebrâil (Gabriel) together with seventy thousand angels.] They do not make any mistakes, nor do they ever forget. They do not play tricks or deceive. What they bring from Allâhu ta’âlâ is always true. It is never doubtful, nor does it depend upon probabilities. Angels are afraid of Allah’s grandeur, wrath and greatness. They have no other work than doing what they are commanded.

A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE

The following information is written in the abridged version of Tadhkira-i-Qurtubî: Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu ’alaihi wa sal-lam’ said, “Do not raise instigation ‘fitna!’ Raising instigation by speech is like raising instigation through the sword. Instigations caused by sinners (fâjirs) and tyrants (zâlims) through backbiting, lying, and slandering of others are more harmful than the instigation caused through the sword.” Almost all scholars inform us unanimously that even those who are compelled into such difficult circumstances as they have no other choice but save their lives and property, should not rebel against the government and laws of the land. For, hadîth-i-sherîfs command us to be patient against oppressive governments. Imâm al-Muhammad ash- Shaybânî ‘rahimahullâhu ta’âlâ’ informs us that Rasûlullah ‘sall- Allâhu ’alaihi wa sal-lam’ said the following prayer (duâ), “Allâhumma innî as’aluka fi’lal khayrât wa tarkalmunkarât wa hubbalmasâkin wa izâ aradta fitnatan fî kawmî fa-tawaffanî gayra maftûn.” The meaning of this prayer is: “Oh my Lord! Bless me with the lot of performing good deeds, avoiding harmful deeds, and sympathising with the poor! When You decree to create instigation among my nation, take my soul before I become involved in that instigation!” As imâm al-Qurtubî ‘rahimahullâhu ta’âlâ points out, this hadîth-i-sherîf shows that it is necessary to avoid instigation so much so that it is better to die instead of getting involved in instigation.