The First of Many Questions

What you're asking of is about the nature of the angels in general. Once you understand their importance and function then it will be easier to know the answer to your questions.

First off, the angels are made out of light, just like Jinn are made out of fire and humans are made out of clay. We humans may be made out of clay, but we definitely are very different from clay. Thus, clay only really means that we are made from the substance, not that we are the substance. If a creature from outer space made out of, let's say, a gas, were to find out that humans are made out of a clay, then they would have a hard time imagining that themselves and would imagine some ghoulish looking beings that arose out of puddles of mud or clay itself. This is not the case. Similarly, angels are made out of light, but this does not mean that is exactly what they are. It only means they were fashioned from it somehow, just like jinn are made from fire, but they need no necessarily be the embodiment of fire.

My point is that angels are very different beings and we really don't know what their physical nature is. Therefore, when we learn that they record our deeds sitting on our shoulders, this does not mean they look or are shaped like us. It can't ever mean that because they are very different from us. Here is the Hadith about what humans, jinn and angels are made out of:

'A'isha reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: The angels were born out of light and the Jinns were born out of the spark of fire and Adam was born as he has been defined (in the Qur'an) for you (i. e. he is fashioned out of clay). (Book #042, Hadith #7134)
(Sahih Muslim)

Now, to see why I am saying that angels are not shaped like us, it is because of the example of Jibril (as). He came in the form of a man sometimes:

It is narrated on the authority of Jabir that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: There appeared before me the apostles, and Moses was among men as if he was one of the people of Shanu'a, and I saw Jesus son of Mary (peace be upon him) and I saw nearest in resemblance with him was 'Urwa b. Mas'ud, and I saw Ibrahim (blessings of Allah be upon him) and I see your companions much in resemblance with him, i. e. his personality, and I saw Gabriel (peace be upon him) and I saw Dihya nearest in resemblance to him; but in the narration of Ibn Rumh it is Dihya b. Khalifa. (Book #001, Hadith #0321)
(Sahih Muslim)

At another time he saw that Gabriel (as) looked like a man that sat down with the group of the Sahaba of the Holy Prophet (saw), and he was not familiar to anyone. He looked like someone who had no signs of traveling on him. Notice how he looks different, not like Dihya al-Kalbi here in resemblance:

It is narrated on the authority of Yahya b. Ya'mur that the first man who discussed about Qadr (Divine Decree) in Basra was Ma'bad al-Juhani. I along with Humaid b. 'Abdur-Rahman Himyari set out for prilgrimage or for 'Umrah and said: Should it so happen that we come into contact with one of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) we shall ask him a bout what is talked about Taqdir (Division Decree). Accidentally we came across Abdullah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab, while he was entering the mosque. My companion and I surrounded him. One of us (stood) on his right and the other stood on his left. I expected that my companion would authorize me to speak. I therefore said: Abu Abdur Rahman! there have appeared some people in our land who recite the Holy Qur'an and pursue knowledge. And then after talking about their affairs, added: They (such people) claim that there is no such thing as Divine Decree and events are not predestined. He (Abdullah ibn Umar) said: When you happen to meet such people tell them that I have nothing to do with them and they have nothing to do with me. And verily they are in no way responsible for my (belief). Abdullah ibn Umar swore by Him (the Lord) (and said): If any one of them (who does not believe in the Divine Decree) had with him gold equal to the bulk of (the mountain) Uhud and then, it (in the way of Allah), Allah would not accept it unless he affirmed his faith in Divine Decree. He further said: My father, Umar ibn al-Khattab, told me: One day we were sitting in the company of Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) when there appeared before us a man dressed in pure white clothes, his hair extraordinarily black. There were no signs of travel on him. None amongst us recognized him. At last he sat with the Apostle (peace be upon him) He knelt before him placed his palms on his thighs and said: Muhammad, inform me about al-Islam. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Al-Islam implies that you testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, and you establish prayer, pay Zakat, observe the fast of Ramadan, and perform pilgrimage to the (House) if you are solvent enough (to bear the expense of) the journey. He (the inquirer) said: You have told the truth. He (Umar ibn al-Khattab) said: It amazed us that he would put the question and then he would himself verify the truth. He (the inquirer) said: Inform me about Iman (faith). He (the Holy Prophet) replied: That you affirm your faith in Allah, in His angels, in His Books, in His Apostles, in the Day of Judgment, and you affirm your faith in the Divine Decree about good and evil. He (the inquirer) said: You have told the truth. He (the inquirer) again said: Inform me about al-Ihsan (performance of good deeds). He (the Holy Prophet) said: That you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him, for though you don't see Him, He, verily, sees you. He (the enquirer) again said: Inform me about the hour (of the Doom). He (the Holy Prophet) remarked: One who is asked knows no more than the one who is inquiring (about it). He (the inquirer) said: Tell me some of its indications. He (the Holy Prophet) said: That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress and master, that you will find barefooted, destitute goat-herds vying with one another in the construction of magnificent buildings. He (the narrator, Umar ibn al-Khattab) said: Then he (the inquirer) went on his way but I stayed with him (the Holy Prophet) for a long while. He then, said to me: Umar, do you know who this inquirer was? I replied: Allah and His Apostle knows best. He (the Holy Prophet) remarked: He was Gabriel (the angel). He came to you in order to instruct you in matters of religion. (Book #001, Hadith #0001)
(Sahih Muslim)

In another narration, Jibril (as) is seen with six hundred wings. ---

Al-Shaibini reported to us: I asked Zirr b. Hubaish about the words of Allah (the Mighty and Great):" So he was (at a distance) of two bows or nearer" (al-Qur'an, Iiii 8). He said: Ibn Mas'ud informed me that, verily, the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) saw Gabriel and he had six hundred wings. (Book #001, Hadith#0330)
(Sahih Muslim)

Narrated Aisha: Whoever claimed that (the Prophet) Muhammad saw his Lord, is committing a great fault, for he only saw Gabriel in his genuine shape in which he was created covering the whole horizon. (Book #54, Hadith #457)
(Sahih Bukhari)

In another Hadith it explains that this was like seeing come green carpet cover the sky:

Narrated Abdullah: Regarding the Verse: "Indeed he (Muhammad) did see. Of the Signs of his Lord, The Greatest!" (53.18) That the Prophet had seen a green carpet spread all over the horizon of the sky. (Book#54, Hadith #456)
(Sahih Bukhari)

In another narration, when the Holy Prophet (saw) first saw Jibril (as), he saw him sitting between Heaven and Earth.

Narrated Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet) The commencement (of the Divine Inspiration) to Allah's Apostle was in the form of true dreams in his sleep, for he never had a dream but it turned out to be true and clear as the bright daylight. Then he began to like seclusions, so he used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship Allah continuously for many nights before going back to his family to take the necessary provision (of food) for the stay. He come back to (his wife) Khadija again to take his provision (of food) likewise, till one day he received the Guidance while he was in the cave of Hira. An Angel came to him and asked him to read. Allah's Apostle replied, "I do not know how to read." The Prophet added, "Then the Angel held me (forcibly) and pressed me so hard that I felt distressed. Then he released me and again asked me to read, and I replied, 'I do not know how to read.' Thereupon he held me again and pressed me for the second time till I felt distressed. He then released me and asked me to read, but again I replied. 'I do not know how to read.' Thereupon he held me for the third time and pressed me till I got distressed, and then he released me and said, 'Read, in the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists), has created man out of a clot, Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen, has taught man that which he knew not." (96.1-5). Then Allah's Apostle returned with that experience; and the muscles between his neck and shoulders were trembling till he came upon Khadija (his wife) and said, "Cover me!" They covered him, and when the state of fear was over, he said to Khadija, "O Khadija! What is wrong with me? I was afraid that something bad might happen to me." Then he told her the story. Khadija said, "Nay! But receive the good tidings! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you, for by Allah, you keep good relations with your Kith and kin, speak the truth, help the poor and the destitute, entertain your guests generously and assist those who are stricken with calamities." Khadija then took him to Waraqa bin Naufil, the son of Khadija's paternal uncle. Waraqa had been converted to Christianity in the Pre-lslamic Period and used to write Arabic and write of the Gospel in Arabic as much as Allah wished him to write. He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadija said (to Waraqa), "O my cousin! Listen to what your nephew is going to say." Waraqa said, "O my nephew! What have you seen?" The Prophet then described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, "This is the same Angel (Gabriel) who was sent to Moses. I wish I were young." He added some other statement. Allah's Apostle asked, "Will these people drive me out?" Waraqa said, "Yes, for nobody brought the like of what you have brought, but was treated with hostility. If I were to remain alive till your day (when you start preaching). then I would support you strongly." But a short while later Waraqa died and the Divine Inspiration was paused (stopped) for a while so that Allah's Apostle was very much grieved. Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah: While Allah's Apostle was talking about the period of pause in revelation. he said in his narration. "Once while I was walking, all of a sudden I heard a voice from the sky. I looked up and saw to my surprise, the same Angel as had visited me in the cave of Hira.' He was sitting on a chair between the sky and the earth. I got afraid of him and came back home and said, Wrap me! Wrap me!" So they covered him and then Allah revealed: 'O you, wrapped up! Arise and warn and your Lord magnify, and your garments purify and dessert the idols.' (74.1-5) Abu Salama said, "(Rijz) are the idols which the people of the Pre-lslamic period used to worship." After this the revelation started coming frequently and regularly. (Book #60, Hadith #478)
(Sahih Bukhari)

Interestingly, angels could have any number of wings, as it is said in the Holy Qur'an:

35:1 All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the (only) Originator [or the (Only) Creator] of the heavens and the earth, Who made the angels messengers with wings, two or three or four. He increases in creation what He wills. Verily, Allah is Able to do all things.

This is just about the very nature of angels. They are unlike us. ---

--- There is a Hadith in which Allah asks the angels questions, and the Hadith says itself that Allah asks them even though He knows the answer Himself already. The Qur'an says in it at some places that Allah is sufficient as a witness. This means Allah witnesses everything, despite employing angels.

Thus, the angels --- record even though Allah is All-Knowing because they are entrusted with the management and supervision of the affairs of the physical world (79:5).

As for the third question, --- He knows everything despite the angels recording on His behalf. So there is no duality to God. I hope that was clear, maybe I didn't understand your third question correctly.

These are questions that you will most probably never get absolute answer as there is no way we can answer them with complete authority.

---
Q2 - God does not 'need' the angels to record things. He just gave them the task to do so. Like the angel of death.
Q3 - God is something our mind cannot grasp in terms of His 'Being'. To know him it is best to study His names. We cannot picture Him.

Not satisfactory answers but it is not a simple question.

Peace.

Have you read the Quran? Easier still, read the 25 muslim prophets starting from Adam through to Muhammad (peace be to them all). That will give a 'feel good' factor and a kind of 'purpose' for humans. And then read the Quran. There's one on this forum.

In the Quran it describes the creation of Adam ---. So Adam (pbuh) is real.

Allah is Great, (outside this forum I would perhaps say God, but in this Islamic Forum I will say Allah) He has no beginning, no ending. He could wait infinitely for our short span of time on earth that when we research back with all our science we will find what He created. --- He is well aware of us. Yes, intention is the key, moderation is the practice, but it must be followed up with action.

Greetings the_stranger,

I think you have provided the best answer to your questions. Focusing on the core aspects of Islam and its foundations is the best thing to do. Delving too much into philosophy and its like has led some Muslims to hold heretical beliefs in the past, where they have totally neglected the authentic teachings of Islam. There are enough issues of far greater importance to dedicate our time to, than those which will not yield any benefit and indeed could cause harm.

Regarding the interpretation of the Qur'an, studying the science of tafseer will give you a greater understanding and appreciation of this. Here are a couple of threads that touch on the issue, but please be aware that the only proper way to study is through structured learning from the people of knowledge:

http://www.islamicboard.com/quran/53...y-tafseer.html
http://www.islamicboard.com/quran/49...performed.html

Greetings,

Allaah has revealed the Qur'an as a book of guidance for all of mankind. It is upon us to study it and make an effort to understand His message to the best of our ability. It is not for us to add our personal opinions that do not have any basis for them, because we would be saying about Allaah that which we have no knowledge of. The goal is to understand His message, not invent our own.

[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded. [38:29]


Regarding the verse you quoted, it lays down some important principles:

It is He Who has sent down to you the Book. In it are verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book; and others not entirely clear. So as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow (only) that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah, and seeking its Ta'weel, but none knows its Ta'weel except Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in it; all of it is from our Lord.'' And none receive admonition except men of understanding. [3:7]

The entirely clear verses (muhkam) are those which are clear in meaning and cannot be distorted or misunderstood. This applies to most of the verses of the Qur’an. They are referred to as the 'foundations of the Book'. As for the verses which are not entirely clear (mutashaabih), they are those verses that are not clear in meaning by themselves (or they are not entirely clear for many, or some people), and in order to properly understand them, it is necessary to look at them in light of the clear verses.

In the part that you quoted above, the word translated as 'explanation' (ta'weel) can have more than one meaning, and the verse can be read to reflect either meaning. Those verses which are not entirely clear can be understood from one perspective but they cannot be understood from another perspective (from the perspective of the actuality of these verses). You can get some idea of what is meant by referring to this commentary of the verse here:
http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?opt...562&Itemid=888
The main point I wanted to make is that each verse will have its context and we have to be careful of misinterpretation. The more we learn about the Qur'an and its sciences, the more we can understand its meanings.

I hope this has helped and not caused further confusion. Take things step by step and deal with the most important issues first. Once you have the foundations, then everything else will fall into place, God-willing.

And Allaah knows best.

Greetings the_stranger,

I don't mean any offence, but your post seems an example of what I was referring to earlier about philosophy, where it can lead to much confusion and strange belief, to the extent that people have used it to negate their own existence. Some parts of your post seem to come close to this, when the world is almost likened to being merely a mirage or delusion. This is, amongst other things, not being able to see the forest for the trees. We know that we do exist, and so does the world around us. We know that this is more than just a series of coincidences, because coincidence cannot produce something so great and complex as life. And from the logic and intellect that God gave us, it makes no sense that God would create a world that we cannot understand. It is He who created our sight and hearing. It is He who created signs within ourselves and around us so that His existence can be recognised by all human beings. If indeed He has the attributes of absolute perfection, of justice and mercy, as you agree, then a Just and Merciful God does not leave His creation in doubt and confusion without any guidance. A Just and Merciful God would not test us in a way that is beyond our ability to comprehend. A Just and Merciful God would instead make the path to salvation plain and clear for everyone to understand. And from His kindness He has made many ways that we might learn the truth. Within our own selves He has made a natural disposition to worship God alone, that is more than just an innate understanding of good. From His grace He has sent many Messengers and Books to guide His creation and teach them the right way.

I think the following quote may help in addressing some of the issues you raised:

Allah, the Most Great and Most Glorious, has described Himself in His revealed books and through His prophets in order that man may have a better understanding of just Who He is. Since the human mind is limited in its knowledge and scope, it is impossible for it to understand something which has no limits. Therefore, Allah mercifully took it upon Himself to reveal to man some of His attributes, in order that mankind may not confuse the attributes of created things with those of Allah...

Among Allah's countless attributes is... that of al-'Uloo, which in English means highness or transcendence. When it is used to describe Allah, this attribute refers to the fact that Allah is above and beyond His creation. He is neither enclosed by the creation nor is any part of the creation above Him in any way. He is not a part of the created world nor is it a part of Him. In fact, His Being is totally distinct and separate from His creation. He is the Creator and the universe and its contents are all a part of His creation. However, His attributes function without restriction in His creation. He sees, hears and knows all, and He is the prime cause of all that happens within the worlds of creation. Nothing happens without His will. Consequently, it may be said that the Islamic concept of Allah in relationship to His creation is essentially dualistic, but in relationship to Allah alone or creation alone it is strictly unitarian. It is dualistic in the sense that Allah is Allah, and creation is creation. Two separate entities, the Creator and the created, the Infinite and the finite. Neither is one the other nor are they both one. At the same time the Islamic concept is uncompromisingly unitarian in the sense that Allah is absolutely one, without parents, offspring or partner. He is unique in His divinity and nothing is similar to Him. He is the sole source of power in the universe and everything depends on Him. Likewise, it is firmly unitarian vis-a-vis creation, because all of the universe and its contents were created by Allah alone. All created beings and entities are the product of the same Creator, and, as such, are constructed from the same elemental substances, the building blocks of 'nature'.

The Fundamentals of Tawhid, Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, pp. 133-134

And Allaah knows best.

Greetings the_stranger,


Just wanted to share the following excellent talk by Mufti Ismail Menk with you.
Its called 'Searching for Your Creator', and I hope that you will find it to be beneficial to you, God willingly.

(The lecture begins with a short recitation from the Quran; the rest is in english.
If you need clarity on any of the arabic terms used, please do not hesitate to ask us)







(If you would like to download the talks and listen to them, here are the links:

http://islamic-creed.com/Mufti Ismai...eator 1of2.mp3

http://islamic-creed.com/Mufti Ismai...eator 2of2.mp3


The following 2 videos entitled, 'Who is Allah', describes our Creator, using His own words in the Quraan.
(I really love these 2 vids - in fact, I have it downloaded on my phone and I listen to it quite frequently. It really is very beautiful!)

Looks like I better learn how to pray properly, because Shahada is in my future

In shaa Allah! (God willingly)

"Allah guides to His Light whom He wills....." (Surah An Nur: Al Quran)

Truly, this religion has given us the very purpose for living.....

May Allah (subhanawataála) open His doors of guidance to you. Ameen.


God bless

Greetings the_stranger,

I am happy to hear that you are willing to accept Islam, and all praise is for Allaah Who guides whom He wills.

Looking at what you wrote earlier and the part that you quoted from the book I mentioned, I am not sure if you have arrived at the correct understanding. I would suggest that you learn as much as you can about the teachings of Islam with respect to Allaah, especially regarding His Names and Attributes. Whilst doing so, be receptive and open to guidance from God, and do not judge according to what you might personally believe from before. The Qur'an teaches us a great deal about Allaah, so that would be a good place to start. At the end of the day, we cannot fully comprehend our Creator and we accept whatever He has told us about Himself. We know that He is completely unlike His creation and nothing is comparable to Him. Like those righteous people mentioned in verse 3:7, we have firm conviction and say, "We believe in it; all of it is from our Lord.''

May Allaah the Most Great guide us to the correct understanding of His religion, Aameen.

I understand what you mean about scepticism in the West. I think your friend is right, and I think you have all the answers you need inside of you. Now you just need to follow what you know is the truth.