Attributes and abilities ofAngels

They are honourable and obedient to Allaah
Almighty Allaah has described theangels as being honourable and
obedient in the verse (which means):
"[The Quran being Carried] by the hands of messengers (angels) noble
and dutiful."[Quran 80:15-16] Meaning, the Quran is inthe hands of
scribes, i.e., the angels, because they are the emissaries of Allaah
to His Messengers and Prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention.
Allaah has described these angelsas being "honourable and obedient",
i.e., He has created them honourable, good and noble. Their actions
are obedient,pure and perfect. Hence the one who learns the Quran by
heart should be one whose actions andwords are proper and correct.
The Messenger of Allaahsaid:
"The one who reads the Quran and recites it perfectly will be with the
honourable scribes (angels) and the one who reads the Quran and tries
his best, and it is hard for him, will have his reward
doubled."[Al-Bukhaari]
They are modest
Among the attributes of the angels mentioned by the Messengeris their
modesty. `Aa'ishahsaid that the Messenger of Allaahwas lyingdown in
his house with his thigh or his shin uncovered. Abu Bakrasked for
permission to come in, and he let him in and spoke with him whilst he
was in that state. Then 'Umarasked for permission to come in, and
helet him in and spoke with him whilst he was in that state. Then
`Uthmaanasked for permission to come in, and the Messengersat up and
rearranged his garment, then he let him come in and spoke with him.
When he left, `Aa'ishah said: "Abu Bakr came in, and you did not stir
or pay too much attention. Then 'Umar came in, and you did not stir or
pay too much attention. Then `Uthmaan came in, and you sat up and
fixedyour garment." He said,"How could I not feel shy of a man of whom
the angels feel shy?"[Muslim]
The phrase "you did not stir" means you did not welcome him warmly.
Khadeejahsaid to the Prophet: "… O cousin, can youinform me the next
time your companion (i.e. Jibreel) comes to you?"
Hesaid:"Indeed".Shesaid: "Tell me if he comes." Later, when the
Prophet, Sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam was with her once, Jibreel came
to him. Seeing him, the Prophetsaid to Khadeejah: "O Khadeejah, here
comes Jibreel." Shesaid: "Do you see him now?" Heanswered in the
affirmative. Shesaid: "Come and sit on my right side." The Prophetcame
and sat on her right side. Then shesaid: "Doyou see him now?" the
Prophetsaid:"Yes".Then sheasked the Prophetto sit in her lap. When
hedid, sheasked him: "Do you still see him?" Heagain said:"Yes."Then
sheuncovered her headwhile the Prophetwas still sitting in her lap and
said: "Do you still see him?" Hesaid:"No"Shesaid: "He is not a devil;
he is nothing but an angel …" [Al-Bayhaqi]
That fact that Jibreel disappearedwhen Khadeejahuncovered her head
shows that angels are modest and bashful.
They are able to take on different forms
Almighty Allaah has given the angels the ability to take on forms
different from their own. Allaah sent Jibreel (the angel Gabriel) to
Maryam (Mary) in human form, as stated in the verse (which means):
"And mention, [O Muhammad], inthe Book [the story of] Maryam (Mary),
when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east. And she
took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then We sent to her Our Angel
[i.e. Jibreel],and he represented himself to her as a
well-proportioned man. She said, "Indeed, I seek refuge inthe Most
Merciful from you, [so leave me], if you should be fearing of Allaah."
He said, "I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a
pure boy [i.e. Son].'"[Quran 19:16-19]
The angels came to Ibraaheem (Abraham)in human form, and he did not
know that they were angels until they told him who they really were,
as stated inthe verses (which mean):
"And certainly did Our messengers [i.e. angels] come to Ibraaheem
(Abraham) with good tidings; they said, "Peace." He said, "Peace," and
did not delay inbringing [them] a roasted calf. But when he saw their
hands notreaching for it, he distrusted them and felt from them
apprehension. They said, "Fear not. We have been sent to the people of
Lot."[Quran 11:70]
The angels came to the Prophet Lotin the form of young men with
handsome faces and hewas grieved on account of them and feared that
they may be harmed by his people, for they were an evil people who
committed evil actions, and they used to commit sodomy. Almighty
Allaah Says (what means):
"And when Our messengers, [the angels], came to Lot, he was anguished
for them and felt for them great discomfort and said, "This is a
trying day.'"[Quran 11:77]
Ibn Katheersaid:"The angelsappeared to him (Prophet Lot) in the form
of handsome young men as a test and a trial, so that proof might be
established against the people of Loot, and Allaah might seize them
with a mighty punishment."[Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah, 1/43]
Jibreel used to come to the Messengerin different forms. Sometimes he
came in the form of Duhyah Ibn Khaleefah Al-Kalbi(a companion who was
of handsome appearance), and sometimes in the form of a Bedouin.
Many of the Prophet's companionssaw him when he came in that form.