Monday, February 24, 2025

How many angels are there with each Muslim? What are their functions concerning him/her?

 How many angels are there with each Muslim? What are their functions concerning him/her?

Summary of answer

The Angels that accompany each person in this world do the following: 1- they take care of him when he is created, 2- they guard him, 3- they write down his good deeds and bad deeds. So, the number of angels who accompany each person after he is born is four angels.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

The honourable angels accompany the children of Adam from the day they are formed in their mothers’ wombs until the day when their souls are brought forth from their bodies at the time of death. They also accompany them in their graves and in the Hereafter.

Functions of the Angels that accompany each person in this world

·         They take care of him when he is created.

It was reported from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah appoints an angel in the womb, who says, `O Lord, a Nutfah (mixed drop of male and female sexual discharges)? O Lord, an `Alaqah (a clot)? O Lord, a Mudghah (lump of chewed flesh)?’ When Allah decrees that it is to be created, (the angel ) says, `O Lord, male or female? Doomed or blessed? What is his provision? What is his lifespan?’ And that is written in his mother’s womb.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

·         They guard the son of Adam.

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceals his speech or declares it openly, whether one is hidden by night or goes forth freely by day.

For him (each person), there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the command of Allah.” [Ar-Ra`d 13:10-11]

The commentator on the Quran who had the best understanding of it, Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) explained that the Mu`aqqibat [translated here as “angels in succession”] refers to the angels whom Allah has appointed to guard man from in front and from behind. When the decree of Allah comes – when He decrees that some accident or calamity etc. should befall him – the angels withdraw from him.

Mujahid (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “There is no person who does not have an angel appointed to protect him when he is asleep and when he is awake, from the jinn, men and wild beasts. There is nothing that comes to him but the angels tell it to clear off, except for that which Allah grants permission for it to befall him.”

A man said to `Ali ibn Abu Talib (may Allah be pleased with him): “A group from (the tribe of) Murad wanted to kill you.” `Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “With every man there are two angels who protect him from everything that is not decreed; when the decree comes, they withdraw and do not stand between him and it. A man's decreed lifespan is his protection.”

The “angels in succession” mentioned in the ayah (verse) from Surah Ar-R`ad are what is referred to in another verse (interpretation of the meaning):

“He is the Irresistible (Supreme), over His slaves, and He sends guardians (angels guarding and writing all of one’s good and bad deeds) over you, until when death approaches one of you, Our messengers (angel of death and his assistants) take his soul, and they never neglect their duty.” [Al-An`am 6:61]

The guardians whom Allah sends protect a person until the appointed time (of death) that has been decreed for him comes.

·         The angels who write down good deeds and bad deeds

Every single person has two angels who write down his deeds, both good and bad, minor and major. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“But verily, over you (are appointed angels in charge of mankind) to watch you, honourable writing down (your deeds), They know all that you do.” [Al-Infitar 82:10-12]

“And indeed We have created man, and We know what his own self whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein (by Our Knowledge).

(Remember) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being), one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note his or her actions).

Not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).” [Qaf 50:16-18]

The angel on the right records good deeds and the angel on the left records bad deeds.

It was reported from Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The angel on the left does not write down anything until six hours have passed after a Muslim does a bad deed. If he regrets it and asks Allah for forgiveness, he casts it aside [does not write it down], otherwise he writes down one bad deed.” (Narrated by At-Tabarani)

Once we know this, the number of angels who accompany the son of Adam after he is born will become clear: four angels.

Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“The verse (interpretation of the meaning): `For him (each person), there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the command of Allah’ [13:10-11] means: each person has angels who take turns in guarding him by night and day, who protect him from evil and from accidents, just as other angels take turns in recording his deeds, good and bad, by night and by day.

Two angels , on the right and the left, record his deeds. The one on the right writes down his good deeds and the one on his left writes down his evil deeds.

Two other angels guard him and protect him, one from behind and one from in front.

So there are four angels by day and four others by night.” [Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Quranic verses on appointment of angel for animal safety

 Quranic verses on appointment of angel for animal safety

ChatGPT said:

The Quran does not explicitly mention the appointment of angels for the safety of animals, as it does for humans. However, the Quran emphasizes that Allah’s divine system governs all creatures, and angels play a significant role in executing His commands over all creation, including animals.

Here are some relevant verses that imply divine care over animals, which may include the role of angels:

1. Allah’s Control Over All Creatures

Surah An'am (6:38)
وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍۢ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا طَٰئِرٍۢ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلَّآ أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُم
"And there is no creature on earth or bird that flies with its wings except that they are communities like you. We have not neglected anything in the Book, then to their Lord they will be gathered."
(Quran 6:38)

This verse shows that all animals are under Allah’s care and governance, and they live in organized systems similar to humans.

2. Allah Provides for All Creatures

Surah Hud (11:6)
وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍۢ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رِزْقُهَا
"And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allah is its provision…"
(Quran 11:6)

This verse suggests divine protection and sustenance for all creatures, including animals.

3. Birds and Divine Command

Surah Al-Nahl (16:79)
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَى ٱلطَّيْرِ مُسَخَّرَٰتٍۭ فِى جَوِّ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ
"Do they not see the birds controlled in the air of the sky? None holds them up except Allah…"
(Quran 16:79)

This verse implies that Allah directly oversees the safety of birds, which could involve angels carrying out His command.

4. Angels Carrying Out Divine Commands

Surah An-Nazi'at (79:5)
فَٱلسَّٰبِقَٰتِ سَبْقًۭا
"And those (angels) who regulate affairs."
(Quran 79:5)

This verse refers to angels executing divine decrees, which may include protecting and managing animals under Allah’s command.

Conclusion:

While the Quran does not specifically mention angels protecting animals, it clearly states that Allah governs, sustains, and protects all creatures, which may involve the angels' role in carrying out His commands over them.

The Quran mentions that Allah appoints angels for the protection and safety of human beings.

 

The Quran mentions that Allah appoints angels for the protection and safety of human beings. Here are some key verses related to this concept:

1. Angels Appointed for Protection

Surah Ar-Ra'd (13:11)
لَهُ مُعَقِّبَاتٌ مِّنۢ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ يَحْفَظُونَهُۥ مِنْ أَمْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ
"For each person, there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the command of Allah."
(Quran 13:11)

2. Recording and Watching Over Deeds

Surah Qaf (50:17-18)
إِذْ يَتَلَقَّى ٱلْمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ ٱلْيَمِينِ وَعَنِ ٱلشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٌ
مَّا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ
"When the two receivers (recording angels) receive (his deeds), seated on the right and on the left. Not a word does he utter but there is a vigilant observer ready (to record it)."
(Quran 50:17-18)

3. Guardian Angels Over Humans

Surah Al-An'am (6:61)
وَهُوَ ٱلْقَاهِرُ فَوْقَ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيُرْسِلُ عَلَيْكُمْ حَفَظَةً
"And He is the Supreme over His servants, and He sends over you guardian angels, until, when death comes to one of you, Our messengers take him, and they do not fail (in their duties)."
(Quran 6:61)

4. Angels Guarding People in Times of Danger

Surah Al-Anfal (8:50)
وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذْ يَتَوَفَّى ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ يَضْرِبُونَ وُجُوهَهُمْ وَأَدْبَٰرَهُمْ
"And if you could see when the angels take the souls of those who disbelieve, striking their faces and their backs…"
(Quran 8:50)

These verses highlight the role of angels in safeguarding human beings, recording their deeds, and fulfilling divine commands concerning them. Let me know if you need further explanations!