1b] Al-Malaa’ikah (Angels)

1b]
(7) Haaroot and (8) Maaroot
Allaah says (interpretationof the meaning):
". . . and such things as came down at Babylon to the angels Haaroot and Maaroot . . ." [al-Baqarah 2:102]
". . . and none can know the forces of your Lord, except He. And this is no other than a warning to mankind."
[al-Muddaththir 74:31]
Their powers
The angels have great powers given to them by Allaah, including the following:
The ability to take on different forms. Allah has given the angels the ability to take on forms other than their own. Allah sent Jibreel to Maryam (Mary) in the form of a man, as Allah says:
". . . Then We sent to her Our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects." [Maryam 19:17]
Angels also came to Ibraaheem in human form, and he did not know that they were angels until they told him so. Similarly, angels came to Lut in the form of young men with beautifulfaces. Jibreel used to cometo the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) in different forms: sometimes he would appear in the form of Dihyah al-Kalbi, a Sahaabee who was very handsome, and sometimes in the form of a Bedouin. The Sahaabah saw him in his human form, as is reported from 'Umar ibn al-Khattaab in the two Saheehs. ('Umar) said:
"One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (Peace& Blessings of Allaah be upon Him), there appeared before us a manwhose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no signs of travel were to be seen on him, and none of us knew him. He walked up and sat down by the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him). Resting his knees against his and placing his hands on his thighs, he said: 'O Muhammad, tell me aboutIslam.'. . ." (Saheeh Muslim, no. 8).
Many other ahaadeeth refer to the angels taking human forms, such as the hadeeth about the one who killed a hundred, in which it says ". . . there came to them an angel in human form . . ." and the hadeeth about the blind man, the bald man and the leper.
Their speed
The greatest speed known to man today is the speed of light; the angels are able to travel much faster than this. Hardly had an enquirer completed a question to the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him), but Jibreel would bring the answer from Allah.
Their duties
Among the angels is one whose task it was to convey the revelation from Allah to His Messengers; this is al-Rooh al-Ameen, Jibril, upon whom be peace. Allah says:
"Say: whoever is an enemy to Jibreel - for he brings down the (revelation) to your heart by Allah's will. . . " [al-Baqarah 2:97]
"Which the trustworthy spirit has brought down,
Upon your heart, that youmay be (one) of the warners."
[al-Shu'araa' 26:193-194]
Another is responsible for rain, directing it whereverAllah wishes. This is Mikaa'eel, upon whom be peace. He has helpers, who do what he tells them, by the command ofhis Lord; they direct the winds and clouds, as Allahwills.
Another is responsible for blowing the Trumpet, which will be blown by Israafeel at the onset of the Hour (the Day of Judgement).
Others are responsible for taking people's souls: these are the Angel of Death and his helpers. Allaah says (interpretationof the meaning): "Say: 'the Angel of Death, put incharge of you, will (duly) take your souls, then shallyou be brought back to your Lord.'" [al-Sajdah 32:11] There is no proof in any saheeh hadeeth that his name is 'Azraa'eel.
Others are responsible for protecting the slave throughout his life, when he stays home and when he travels, when he is asleep and when he is awake. These are the"angels in succession" concerning whom Allaah says (interpretation of themeaning):
"It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceal his speech or declare it openly, whetherhe be hid by night or go forth freely by day.
For each (person), there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the Command of Allaah. Verily! Allaah will not change the good condition of a people so long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves (by committing sin and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allaah). Butwhen Allaah wills a people's punishment, there can be no turning back of it, and they will find besides Him no protector."
[al-Ra'd 13:10-11]
Others are responsible for recording the deeds of man, good and bad. Theseare the "honourable scribes" (kiraaman kaatibeen) and are referred to in the aayaat (interpretation of the meanings):
". . . and He sends guardians (angels guarding and writing all of one's good and bad deeds) over you . . ." [al-An'aam 6:61]
"Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel? (YesWe do) and Our Messengers (appointed angels in charge of mankind) are by them, to record."
[al-Zukhruf 43:80]
"(Remember!)