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Angels

Read published English translations and explanations on this topic. These are related source narrations; their wording and selection may differ from the Arabic site’s short selections. Every card identifies its own source.

Narrated by MuslimAuthentic hadith

Angels were created from light, Jinn were created from a smokeless flame of fire, and Adam was created from what was described to you

Narrator in the source: ‘Ā’ishah, Mother of the Believers, reported saying:

‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Angels were created from light, Jinn were created from a smokeless flame of fire, and Adam was created from what was described to you (in the Qur'an)."
Grade in the source
Authentic hadith
Reported by
Narrated by Muslim
Original Arabic wording
عن عائشة رضي الله عنه قالت: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : «خُلقت الملائكة من نور، وخُلق الجَانُّ من مَارِجٍ من نار، وخُلق آدم مما وُصِفَ لكم».
Understand this hadith

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed us about the beginning of creation. He first mentioned that the angels were created from light, and for this reason they do not disobey Allah nor are they prevented by arrogance from worshiping Him. As for the jinn, they were created from fire, and for this reason many of them are characterized by recklessness, vanity, and hostility. As to Adam, he was created from "what was described to you", i.e. he was created from dust and clay. Dust became sticky clay then dry clay, like pottery, and Adam was created therefrom.

References (original Arabic)

- صحيح مسلم؛ للإمام مسلم بن الحجاج، حققه ورقمه محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، دار عالم الكتب-الرياض، الطبعة الأولى، 1417هـ. - رياض الصالحين من كلام سيد المرسلين؛ للإمام أبي زكريا النووي، تحقيق د. ماهر الفحل، دار ابن كثير-دمشق، الطبعة الأولى، 1428ه. - بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين؛ تأليف سليم بن عيد الهلالي، دار ابن الجوزي- الطبعة الأولى1418ه. - نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين؛ تأليف د. مصطفى الخِن وغيره، مؤسسة الرسالة-بيروت، الطبعة الرابعة عشرة، 1407هـ. - شرح رياض الصالحين؛ للشيخ محمد بن صالح العثيمين، مدار الوطن، الرياض، 1426هـ. -التَّنويرُ شَرْحُ الجَامِع الصَّغِيرِ محمد بن إسماعيل الصنعاني، المحقق: د. محمَّد إسحاق محمَّد إبراهيم مكتبة دار السلام، الرياض -الطبعة: الأولى، 1432 هـ - 2011 م.

Narrated by Bukhari & MuslimAuthentic hadith

A number of Hadīths pertaining to the virtue of Dhikr sessions

Narrator in the source: Abu Hurayrah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah say:

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah, Exalted, has angels who wander in the roads seeking those who remember Him. When they find some people remembering Allah, the Almighty, they call one another and say: 'Come to what you were looking for' and they encircle them with their wings filling the space between them and the lowest heaven. Their Lord asks them, and He knows best: 'What are My slaves saying?' They reply: 'They are exalting You, glorifying You, praising You, and extolling You.' He asks: 'Have they seen Me?' They reply: 'No, by Allah they have not seen You.' He asks: 'What if they see Me?' Thereupon they reply: 'If they were to see You, they would engage more devoutly in worshiping, extolling, and glorifying You.' He says: 'What do they ask of Me?' They say: 'They ask You for Your Paradise.' Allah says: 'Have they seen it?' They say: 'No Lord, by Allah they have not seen it.' He says: 'What if they see it?' They reply: 'Were they to see it, they would be more keen, more zealous in seeking it, and would wish more for it.’ He says: 'From what are they seeking refuge?' They (the angels) say: 'They are seeking refuge from Hell.' He asks: 'Have they seen it?' They say: 'No. By Allah they have not seen it.' He says: 'What if they see it?' They say: 'If they were to see it, they would be more fearful of it and flee faster from it.' He says: 'Bear witness that I have forgiven them.' One of the angels says: 'There is amongst them so-and-so who is not one of them. He only came for another purpose.' He says: 'They are the people by virtue of whom their companion will in no way be unfortunate.'" Another narration reads: Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah has angels, other than the keepers, who wander about seeking Dhikr sessions. Once they find it, they sit with them and surround them with their wings filling the space between them and the lowest heaven. When they [the people in the gathering] depart, the angels ascend and rise to heaven. Then Allah, the Almighty, asks them - though He knows best - 'From where have you come?' They say: 'We have come from a gathering of Your slaves on earth. They were exalting You, glorifying You, witnessing that there is no deity but You, praising You, and asking You.' He says: 'What do they ask of Me?' They say: 'They ask You Your Paradise.' He says: 'Have they seen My Paradise?' They say: 'No, Lord.' He says: 'What if they see My Paradise?' They say: 'They also ask You for protection.' He says: 'What do they ask Me protection from?' They say: 'From Your Hell, O Lord.' He says: 'Have they seen My Hellfire?' They say: 'No.' He says: 'What if they see My Hell?' They say: 'They ask for Your forgiveness.' Then He says: 'I have forgiven them, and I have bestowed upon them what they asked for,and I have granted them refuge from what they sought protection from.' They say: 'O Lord, among them is so-and-so, a frequent sinner, who was merely passing by and sat down with them.' He says: 'They are the people by virtue of whom their companion will in no way be unfortunate.’"
Grade in the source
Authentic hadith
Reported by
Narrated by Bukhari & Muslim
Original Arabic wording
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «إنَّ لِلَّه تعالى ملائكة يَطُوفُون في الطُّرُق يلْتَمِسُون أهل الذِّكْر، فإذا وَجَدُوا قوماً يذكرون الله عز وجل تَنَادَوا: هَلُمُّوا إلى حاجَتِكُم، فَيَحُفُّونَهُم بِأَجْنِحَتِهِم إلى السَّماء الدُّنيا، فيَسألُهُم رَبُّهُم -وهو أعلم-: ما يقول عِبَادي؟ قال: يقولون: يُسَبِّحُونَك، ويُكَبِّرُونك، وَيَحْمَدُونَك، ويُمَجِّدُونَكَ، فيقول: هل رَأَوني؟ فيقولون: لا والله ما رَأَوك. فيقول: كيف لو رَأَوني؟! قال: يقولون: لو رأَوك كَانُوا أشَدَّ لك عبادة، وأشَدَّ لك تمْجِيداً، وأكْثر لك تسبيحاً. فيقول: فماذا يسألون؟ قال: يقولون: يَسْألُونك الجنَّة. قال: يقول: وهل رَأَوهَا؟ قال: يقولون: لا والله يا رب ما رأَوْهَا. قال: يقول: فَكَيف لو رَأَوْهَا؟ قال: يقولون: لو أنَّهُم رَأَوهَا كَانُوا أَشَدَّ عَلَيها حِرصاً، وأشَدَّ لهَا طلباً، وأَعْظَم فِيهَا رغبةً. قال: فَمِمَّ يَتَعَوَذُون؟ قال: يقولون: يَتَعَوذُون من النَّار؛ قال: فيقول: وهل رأوها؟ قال: يقولون: لا والله ما رأوها. فيقول: كيف لو رأوها؟! قال: يقولون: لو رأوها كانوا أشدَّ مِنها فِراراً، وأشدَّ لها مَخَافَة. قال: فيقول: فَأُشْهِدُكُمْ أَنِّي قَدْ غَفَرْتُ لَهُمْ، قال: يقول ملَك مِن الملائكة: فيهم فلان ليس منهم، إنما جاء لحاجة، قال: هُمُ الجُلَسَاء لا يَشْقَى بهم جَلِيسُهُم». وفي رواية: عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «إن لله ملائكة سَيَّارة فُضُلاً يَتَتَبَّعُون مجالِسَ الذكر، فإذا وجدوا مَجْلِساً فيه ذِكْرٌ، قَعَدُوا معهم، وحَفَّ بعضُهم بعضاً بأجنحتهم حتى يمْلَؤُوا ما بينهم وبين السماء الدنيا، فإذا تَفرقوا عرجوا وصعدوا إلى السماء، فيسألهم الله عز وجل وهو أعلم -: من أين جئتم؟ فيقولون: جئنا من عند عباد لك في الأرض: يسبحونك، ويكبرونك، ويهللونك، ويحمدونك، ويسألونك. قال: وماذا يسألوني؟ قالوا: يسألونك جنتك. قال: وهل رأوا جنتي؟ قالوا: لا، أي رب. قال: فكيف لو رأوا جنتي؟! قالوا: ويستجِيرُونَك. قال: ومم يَسْتجيروني؟ قالوا: من نارك يا ربّ. قال: وهل رأوا ناري؟ قالوا: لا، قال: فكيف لو رأوا ناري؟! قالوا: ويستغفرونك؟ فيقول: قد غفرت لهم، وأعطيتهم ما سألوا، وأجرتهم مما استجاروا. قال: فيقولون: رب فيهم فلان عبد خَطَّاء إنما مرَّ، فجلس معهم. فيقول: وله غفرت، هم القوم لا يشقى بهم جليسُهُم».
Understand this hadith

This Hadīth narrates one of the manifestations of glorifying Dhikr sessions. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said that Allah has assigned a certain group of angels, other than the keepers, to wander about in earth. These angels rove around the Muslims' streets, mosques, and houses seeking Dhikr sessions, to visit, attend, and listen to its participants. Al-Hāfizh said: "It appears that this specifically applies to assemblies where Allah is exalted." If they find a group of people remembering Allah, the Almighty, or a Dhikr session as in Muslim's narration, they call each other. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) described the angels in Dhikr sessions saying that they encircle them tight like a bracelet in the wrist. They surround them with their wings, until they reach the heavens. Then the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) narrated the conversation between the Lord, the Exalted, and His noble angels: Their Lord asks them, though He knows best their affairs, to make mention of such people remembering Him in the exalted assembly of angels and to boast about them before the angels. "What are My slaves saying?" The angels reply that those people remembering Allah are saying: Glory be to Allah, praise be to Allah, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Most Great. They glorify Allah by saying "there is no god but Allah" because it entails the oneness of worship. Allah says: "'Have they seen Me?' They reply: 'No, by Allah they have not seen You.' He asks: 'What if they see Me?'" The angels reply: "If they were to see You, they would engage more devoutly in worshiping, extolling, and glorifying You", because diligence in worship is dependent on the extent of knowledge. Then Allah, Blessed and Exalted, asks them what such people are asking of Him, and the angels reply that they are asking Him for Paradise, i.e. they are remembering You and worshiping You aspiring to Your Paradise. The angels reply that if they were to see it, they would be ever more devoted to enter it. They would endeavor even more seriously to attain it, because hearing about something is not like seeing it. Allah says to the angels: "From what are they seeking refuge?" In other words what are they afraid of, and what are they asking their Lord to save them from? The angels reply that they are seeking refuge from Hellfire, i.e. they remember and worship their Lord out of fear from Hellfire, and they ask Him, the Almighty, to save them from it. Allah says: "What if they see it?" The angels reply that if they were to see it, they would exert themselves to flee therefrom, i.e. they would be more diligent in doing righteous deeds that would be a cause for saving them from Hellfire. Then Allah, the Almighty, says: "Bear witness that I have forgiven them." One of the angels says: "There is amongst them so-and-so who is not one of them. He only came for another purpose", i.e. he came because of a need he had to take care of and was sitting with them, will he be forgiven also? Allah, the Exalted, says that He grants such a person pardon because they are the people by virtue of whom their companion will in no way be unfortunate.

References (original Arabic)

صحيح البخاري، نشر: دار طوق النجاة (مصورة عن السلطانية بإضافة ترقيم محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي)، الطبعة: الأولى، 1422ه. صحيح مسلم، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، نشر: دار إحياء التراث العربي – بيروت. رياض الصالحين، للنووي، نشر: دار ابن كثير للطباعة والنشر والتوزيع، دمشق – بيروت، تحقيق: ماهر ياسين الفحل، الطبعة: الأولى، 1428هـ - 2007م. بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، للهلالي، نشر: دار ابن الجوزي. تطريز رياض الصالحين، لفيصل الحريملي، نشر: دار العاصمة، الرياض، الطبعة: الأولى، 1423هـ - 2002م.

Narrated by Ibn Majah - Narrated by At-Termedhy - Narrated by Abu Daoud - Narrated by Ahmad - Ad-DaarimiGood hadith

Whoever follows a path in pursuit of knowledge, Allah will facilitate for him a path to Paradise

Narrator in the source: Abu ad-Dardā’ reported: The Prophet

Abu Ad-Dardā’ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever follows a path in pursuit of knowledge, Allah will facilitate for him a path to Paradise. Indeed, the angels lower their wings for the seeker of knowledge, out of pleasure at what he does. Verily, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth, even the fish in the water, ask forgiveness from Allah for the knowledgeable. The superiority of a scholar over a devout worshiper is like the superiority of the moon over the rest of the stars. Indeed, the scholars are the inheritors of the prophets, who bequeath neither dinar nor dirham, only knowledge. So whoever acquires it has actually taken abundant wealth."
Grade in the source
Good hadith
Reported by
Narrated by Ibn Majah - Narrated by At-Termedhy - Narrated by Abu Daoud - Narrated by Ahmad - Ad-Daarimi
Original Arabic wording
عن أبي الدرداء رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «مَنْ سَلَكَ طَريقا يَبْتَغي فيه عِلْما سَهَّل الله له طريقا إلى الجنة، وإنَّ الملائكةَ لَتَضَعُ أجْنِحَتها لطالب العلم رضًا بما يَصنَع، وإنَ العالم لَيَسْتَغْفِرُ له مَنْ في السماوات ومَنْ في الأرض حتى الحيتَانُ في الماء، وفضْلُ العالم على العَابِدِ كَفَضْلِ القمر على سائِرِ الكواكب، وإنَّ العلماء وَرَثَة الأنبياء، وإنَّ الأنبياء لم يَوَرِّثُوا دينارا ولا دِرْهَماً وإنما وَرَّثُوا العلم، فَمَنْ أَخَذَهُ أَخَذَ بحَظٍّ وَافِرٍ».
Understand this hadith

The Hadīth sheds light on some merits of the pursuit of knowledge, as follows: 1. If a person treads a path in pursuit of knowledge or even if he seeks knowledge while at home, Allah, the Almighty, will reward him by facilitating a path leading him to Paradise. The pursuit of knowledge includes a tangible path, where a man actually walks (to gain knowledge), and an intangible one, like attending the classes of scholars and reading books. Thus, he is considered to be following a path of knowledge, even though he is actually sitting. 2. The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth, even the fish and animals, invoke the forgiveness of Allah, the Almighty, for the scholars. 3. The angels, honored by Allah, the Almighty, lay down their wings for the seeker of knowledge out of pleasure at what he does and in humility and reverence towards knowledge and the knowledgeable. 4. The scholars are the inheritors of the prophets. They take knowledge, application, the call to Allah, the Almighty, and guiding people to His religion from them. 5. The superiority of a scholar over a devout worshiper is like the superiority of the moon over the rest of the stars. Indeed, the light and virtue of worship are limited to the worshiper; it does not reach others, just like the light of the stars. By contrast, the light and virtue of knowledge transcend the scholar and reach others, enlightening them. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) highlighted that the prophets did not bequeath worldly fortunes, but the best legacy they leave behind is knowledge. Whoever acquires it has indeed taken a great fortune. In fact, this is the true beneficial inheritance. Let no one think that a scholar does not engage in worship or that a worshiper lacks knowledge. But, the knowledge of the former prevails over his deeds, whereas the deeds of the latter override his knowledge. Hence, the scholars are considered as the inheritors of the prophets, who gained both merits – knowledge and action – and were marked by perfection and the pursuit of improvement. This is the course to be taken by those who truly know their Lord and walk in the path leading to Him.

References (original Arabic)

- الجامع الصحيح -وهو سنن الترمذي-؛ للإمام محمد بن عيسى الترمذي، تحقيق أحمد شاكر وآخرين، مكتبة الحلبي-مصر، الطبعة الثانية، 1388هـ. - رياض الصالحين من كلام سيد المرسلين؛ للإمام أبي زكريا النووي، تحقيق د. ماهر الفحل، دار ابن كثير-دمشق، الطبعة الأولى، 1428هـ. - سنن أبي داود؛ للإمام أبي داود سليمان بن الأشعث السجستاني، تعليق عزت الدعاس وغيره، دار ابن حزم-بيروت، الطبعة الأولى، 1418هـ. - سنن ابن ماجه؛ للحافظ محمد بن يزيد القزويني، حققه محمد فؤاد عبدالباقي، دار إحياء الكتب العربية. - شرح رياض الصالحين؛ للشيخ محمد بن صالح العثيمين، مدار الوطن، الرياض، 1426هـ. - صحيح الترغيب والترهيب؛ تأليف محمد ناصر الدين الألباني، مكتبة المعارف-الرياض، الطبعة الخامسة. - كنوز رياض الصالحين؛ فريق علمي برئاسة أ.د. حمد العمار، دار كنوز إشبيليا-الرياض، الطبعة الأولى، 1430هـ. - نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين؛ تأليف د. مصطفى الخِن وغيره، مؤسسة الرسالة-بيروت، الطبعة الرابعة عشر، 1407هـ. - سنن أبي داود, أبو داود سليمان بن الأشعث بن إسحاق بن بشير بن شداد بن عمرو الأزدي السِّجِسْتاني, المحقق: محمد محيي الدين عبد الحميد, المكتبة العصرية، صيدا – بيروت. - سنن الترمذي، تأليف: محمد بن عيسى الترمذي، تحقيق أحمد شاكر وغيره ، الناشر: شركة مكتبة ومطبعة مصطفى البابي الحلبي، الطبعة: الثانية، 1395 هـ. - مسند الإمام أحمد بن حنبل، تحقيق: شعيب الأرنؤوط - عادل مرشد، وآخرون، نشر: مؤسسة الرسالة، الطبعة: الأولى، 1421هـ - 2001 م. - صَحِيحُ التَّرْغِيب وَالتَّرْهِيب, محمد ناصر الدين الألباني, مكتَبة المَعارف لِلنَشْرِ والتوزيْع، الرياض - المملكة العربية السعودية, الطبعة: الأولى، 1421 هـ - 2000 م. - بهجة الناظرين, سليم بن عيد الهلالي، الناشر: دار ابن الجوزي ، سنة النشر: 1418 هـ- 1997م. - مفتاح دار السعادة ومنشور ولاية العلم والإرادة, محمد بن أبي بكر بن أيوب بن سعد شمس الدين ابن قيم الجوزية, دار الكتب العلمية – بيروت. - دليل الفالحين لطرق رياض الصالحين, محمد علي بن محمد البكري الصديقي الشافعي, اعتنى بها: خليل مأمون شيحا, الناشر: دار المعرفة للطباعة والنشر والتوزيع، بيروت – لبنان, الطبعة: الرابعة، 1425 هـ - 2004 م. - تطريز رياض الصالحين, فيصل بن عبد العزيز بن فيصل ابن حمد المبارك الحريملي النجدي, المحقق: د. عبد العزيز بن عبد الله آل حمد, دار العاصمة للنشر والتوزيع، الرياض, الطبعة: الأولى، 1423 هـ - 2002 م. - مرقاة المفاتيح شرح مشكاة المصابيح، لعلي بن سلطان الملا الهروي القاري، الناشر: دار الفكر، بيروت – لبنان، الطبعة: الأولى، 1422هـ - 2002م. - حاشية السندي على سنن ابن ماجه = كفاية الحاجة في شرح سنن ابن ماجه, محمد بن عبد الهادي التتوي، أبو الحسن، نور الدين السندي, دار الجيل - بيروت، بدون طبعة. - تاج العروس من جواهر القاموس, محمّد بن محمّد بن عبد الرزّاق الحسيني، الملقّب بمرتضى، الزَّبيدي, مجموعة من المحققين, الناشر: دار الهداية.

Narrated by Bukhari & MuslimAuthentic hadith

When the Imām says amen, you too say amen, for whoever says amen at the same time the angels say amen will have his previous sins forgiven

Narrator in the source: Abu Hurayrah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah say:

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When the Imām says amen, you too say amen, for whoever says amen at the same time the angels say amen will have his previous sins forgiven."
Grade in the source
Authentic hadith
Reported by
Narrated by Bukhari & Muslim
Original Arabic wording
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه مرفوعاً: «إذا أَمَّنَ الإمام فأمنوا، فإنه من وافق تأمينه تأمين الملائكة: غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه».
Understand this hadith

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered us to say 'amen' when the Imām says it because this is the time when the angels say 'amen', and whoever says it at the same time as the angels his previous sins will be forgiven.

References (original Arabic)

- صحيح البخاري -الجامع الصحيح-؛ للإمام أبي عبد الله محمد بن إسماعيل البخاري، عناية محمد زهير الناصر، دار طوق النجاة، الطبعة الأولى، 1422هـ. - صحيح مسلم؛ للإمام مسلم بن الحجاج، حققه ورقمه محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، دار عالم الكتب-الرياض، الطبعة الأولى، 1417هـ. -الإلمام بشرح عمدة الأحكام للشيخ إسماعيل الأنصاري-مطبعة السعادة-الطبعة الثانية 1392ه. -تيسير العلام شرح عمدة الأحكام-عبد الله البسام-تحقيق محمد صبحي حسن حلاق- مكتبة الصحابة- الشارقة- الطبعة العاشرة- 1426ه.

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