Physical characteristics of Angels-II

The great size of the bearers of the Throne:
Prophet Muhammad said: "I have been granted permission to speak about
one of the angels of Allaah, one of the bearers of the Throne. The
distance from his earlobes to his shoulders is the distance of a seven
- hundred year journey." [Abu Daawood]
Anas Ibn Maalik narrated thatthe Prophet said: "I have beengranted
permission to speak to an angel, one of the bearers of the Throne. His
feet are in the lowest earth and the Throne is resting on his horn.
The distance from his earlobe to his shoulder is like that of a bird
flying for seven hundred years. That angel says, 'Glory be to You,
wherever You are. '" [At-Tabaraani]
The wings of the angels:
The angels have wings, as Allaah Almighty has informed us. Some of
them have two wings, some have three or four, and some have more than
that.
Allaah, the Most Exalted, Says in the Noble Quran (what means): "[All]
praise is [due] to Allaah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, [Who]
made the angels messengers having wings, two orthree or four. He
increases in creation what He wills. Indeed, Allaah is over all things
competent." [Quran 35:1]
Moreover, We have already mentioned (in part one) the narration in
which the Messenger stated that Jibreel (angel Gabriel) has six
hundred wings.
The beauty of the angels:
Allaah has created them in a noble and beautiful form, as Allaah Says
of Jibreel (what means): "… [The Quran was] Taught to him by one
intense in strength [i.e. Jibreel] —One of soundness. And he rose to
[his] true form." [Quran 53:5-6]
Ibn `Abbaas said: "(one of soundness) means one whose appearance is
beautiful." Qataadah said regard the same verse: "One whose form is
tall and beautiful." There is no contradiction between the two views,
for he (Jibreel) is both strong and of a beautiful appearance.
The idea that angels are beautifulis well-established in people's
minds, just as the idea that devilsare ugly is also well-established.
Hence, we often hear people likenbeautiful human beings to angels.
Look at what the women said when they saw Prophet Yoosuf (Joseph) in
the verse (which means): "And when they saw him, they greatly admired
him and cut their hands and said,"Perfect is Allaah! This is not a
man; this is none but a noble angel!' [Quran 12:31]
Similarity in appearance and formbetween angels and humans:
The Messenger of Allaah said: "The Prophets were shown to me (during
his ascension), and I saw Moosaa (Prophet Moses), a man of average
build, looking likeone of the men of (the tribe of) Shanu'ah. And I
saw `Eesa Ibn Maryam (Prophet Jesus, son of Mary), and the person I
have seenwho most resembles him is `Urwah Ibn Mas'ood. And I saw
Ibraaheem (Prophet Abraham), and the one who most resembleshim is your
Companion (meaning himself). And I saw Jibreel; the person I have seen
who most resembles him is Dihyah." [Muslim and At-Tirmithi]
Is this a similarity between Jibreel's true form, or the form which
Jibreel took when he appeared in human form? Certainly, it is the
latter, because as we shall see, Jibreel often usedto appear in the
form of Dihyah Ibn Khaleefah . This is proven by the narrations in
which the Prophet described Jibreel in his real shape having six
hundredwings.
Variations in their physical shape and status:
The angels are not all the same intheir physical shape and status.
Some of them have two wings, some have three, and Jibreel has six
hundred wings. They vary in their status before their Lord, Most High.
Allaah Says (what means): "[The angels say], 'There is not among us
any except that he has a known position'". [Quran37:164]
As concerning Jibreel, Allaah Says (what means): "[That] indeed, it
[i.e. the Quran] is a word [conveyed by] a noble messenger [i.e.
Jibreel]. [Who is] possessed of power and with the Owner of the
Throne, secure [in position]" [Quran 81.19-20]
This means that he (Jibreel) has a high status and important rank before Allaah.
The best of the angels are those who were present at the battle of
Badr. Rafaa'ah Ibn Raafi' narrated that Jibreel came to the Prophet
and said: "What do you think of the people of Badr among you (i.e.,
who were present at Badr)?" He said, "They are the best of the
Muslims" or similar words. Jibreelsaid: "The same is true regarding
the angels who were present at Badr." [Al-Bukhaari]

Physical characteristics ofAngels- I

What they were created from andwhen
The substance from which Allaah,the Most Exalted, created angels is
light. It is narrated on the authority of `Aa'ishah that the Messenger
of Allaah said: "The angels were created from light, the jinn were
created from smokeless fire, and Aadam was created from that which has
been described to you (i.e. in the Quran, which is clay)." [Muslim]
Prophet Muhammad did not explain what light this is that they were
created from. Hence we cannot indulge in trying to say more about this
matter, because it is the matter of the unseen concerning which no
further clarification has been narrated, apart from this
Hadeeth(narration).
We do not know when the angelswere created, for Allaah has not
informed us about that. But we do know that they were created before
Aadam the father of mankind. Allaah has told us that He informed the
angels that He was going to create a Khaleefah (vicegerent) on earth.
Almighty Allaah Says in the Noble Quran (what means):
{And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels,
'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority.} [Quran
2:30]
Allaah also Says (what means): {And when I have proportioned him and
breathed into him of My soul, then fall down to him in prostration.}
[Quran 15:29]
Seeing the angels
Because the angels have bodies of light which are of low density,
mankind cannot see them, especially since Allaah has not given our
eyes the ability to see them.
No one has seen the angels in their true form apart from Prophet
Muhammad . He saw Jibreel (angel Gabriel) twice in the form in which
Allaah created him.
On the other hand, different textsindicate that human beings were able
to see the angels in human form. An example for this is the long
Hadeeth (narration), 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab said: "One day while we
were sitting with the Messenger of Allaah thereappeared before us a
man whoseclothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly
black; no signs of journeying were to be seen on him and noneof us
knew him. He walked up and sat down by the Prophet ( ). Resting his
knees against his and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs, he
said: 'O Muhammad, tell me about Islam…..'"
After asking the Prophet other questions, the visitor left and the
Prophet said to 'Umar : "O 'Umar, do you know who the questioner was?"
'Umar said: 'Allaah and His Messenger know best' . He said: 'He was
Jibreel (Gabriel); he came to teachyou your religion.'" [Muslim]
(2) Their great physical size
Allaah, the Most Exalted, Says concerning the angels of Hell (what means):
"O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a
Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed]
angels, harsh andsevere; they do not disobey Allaah in what He
commands them but do what they are commanded." [Quran 66:6]
It will be sufficient in this regard to quote the narrations which
speak of two noble angels.
The great size of Jibreel
The Messenger of Allaah saw Jibreel twice in the angelic form in which
Allaah created him. These two occasions are mentioned in the verse
(which means):
"And he [i.e. Muhammad] has already seen him [i.e. Jibreel] in the
clear horizon." [Quran 81:23]
And the verse (which means):
"And he certainly saw him in another descent. At the Lote Treeof the
Utmost Boundary. Near it is the Garden of Refuge [i.e. Paradise]."
[Quran 53:13-15]
That was when he was taken up to the highest heaven during his
miraculous ascension to heaven.
It is narrated that `Aa'ishah said: "I asked the Messenger of Allaah
about these two verses. He said, "That is Jibreel; I never saw him in
the form in which Allaah created him except on these two occasions. I
saw him descending from the heavens, with his huge size fillingthe
horizon between the heaven and the earth." [Muslim]
`Aa'ishah was asked about the verse (which means): "Then he [Jibreel]
approached and descended." [Quran 53:8]
She said, "That is Jibreel. He used to come to him (the Prophet ) in
human form, but on this occasion he came in his real form, and he
filled the horizons of the sky." [Muslim]
It is narrated that 'Abdullaah Ibn Mas'ood said: "Muhammad saw Jibreel
with six hundred wings." [Al-Bukhaari]
He (Ibn Mas'ood) said concerning the verse (which means):
{He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.} [Quran 53:18]
"This means green cushions, filling the horizons." [Al-Bukhaari]
These cushions that filled the horizons were what Jibreel was seated
upon. Ibn Mas'ood also said, "The Prophet of Allaah saw Jibreel with
his own eyes, on a cushion which filled the space between heaven and
earth."
'Abdullaah Ibn Mas'ood said: "The Messenger of Allaah sawJibreel in
his true form. He had sixhundred wings, each of which filled the
horizon, and there weremulti-coloured pearls and rubies falling from
his wings." [Ahmad]
Almighty Allaah Says, describing Jibreel (what means):
"…Indeed, it [i.e. the Quran] is a word [conveyed by] a noble
messenger [i.e. Jibreel]. [Who is] possessed of power and with
theOwner of the Throne, secure [in position]. Obeyed there [in the
heavens] and trustworthy." [Quran 81:19-21]
What is meant by the "most honourable messenger" here is Jibreel, and
the Lord of the Throne is the Lord of Glory, may He be glorified.

--

- - - - -

And Allah Knows the Best!

- - - - -

Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

Dought & clear - , There is no stipulation that Jumu‘ah prayer should be offeredin a masjid or jaami‘.

One of my acquaintence comented that, Juma is only valid in a place where all five daily prayers are being offered in congregation. Praise be to Allaah. There is no stipulation that Jumu‘ah prayer should be offered in a masjid or jaami‘ according to the majority of fuqaha’ of the Hanafi, Shaafa‘i and Hanbali madhhabs, unlike the Maalikis. It says in al-Bahr al-Raa’iq (2/162), which is a Hanafi book: The words “and general permission” mean: The condition of it being valid is that it should be done in the usual manner. So, for example,if a ruler were to close the gates of the fortress and lead his family and troops in offering Jumu‘ah prayer, that is not valid. This is what it says in al-Khulaasah. In al-Muheet it says that if he opens the gate of his palace and gives the people permission to enter, it is valid althoughit is makrooh, because he did not fulfil the rightof the Jaami‘ mosque. End quote. It says in Tarh al-Tathreeb (3/190): Our view (i.e., the Shaafa‘i madhhab) is that establishing Jumu‘ah is not only to be done in the mosque; rather it may be performed in an ordinary building. If they do it in a place other than a mosque, the one who enters that place should not pray during the khutbah, because there is no “greeting” (2-rak‘ah prayer upon entering) for it. End quote. It says in al-Insaaf (2/378), which is a Hanbali book: With regard to the words “it is permissible to performit in various buildings or buildings that are on theedge of the wilderness”, this is the view of our madhhab and it is the view of most of the scholars of the madhhab, many of whom stated it definitively. And it was said that it is not permissible to perform itanywhere except in the jaami‘. End quote. With regard to the Maalikis, they stipulated that it must be performed in the jaami‘, as stated above. Khaleel al-Maaliki said concerning the conditions of Jumu‘ah: [It should be] in a jaami‘ that is built separately. In al-Taaj wa’l-Ikleel (2/520) it says: “In the jaami‘.” Ibn Basheer said: The jaami ‘ is one of the conditions of offering this prayer. Ibn Rushd said: It is not validto establish Jumu‘ah except in a designated mosque. Al-Baaji said: One of the conditions is a mosque that is built specifically for that purpose in the usual style of mosques. End quote. To sum up: Jumu‘ah prayer in the place mentioned is valid according to the majority of scholars, if it is not possible to allocate a specific place for the Muslims to pray and if they cannot go to the nearest mosque or Islamic centre in which Jumu‘ah prayer is offered. And Allah knows best.

Dought & clear - , If there is snow or rain, does that make it permissible to miss Jumu‘ah?.

Did the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) ever miss the Jummaa prayer because of bad weather.the weather which is meant is about 20cm of snow. Praise be to Allaah. Firstly: There is no report in the Sunnah that the Prophet(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did not pray Jumu‘ah because of rain or snow;rather he did not pray it when travelling. Secondly: It is permissible to not pray Jumu‘ah and prayers in congregation in the event of heavy rain, cold wind or snow which is bothersome to people and makes it difficult for them to go to Jumu‘ah, because of the report narrated by al-Bukhaari (901) and Muslim, according to which Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) said to his muezzin on a rainy day: When you say Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasool-Allaah, do not say, Hayya ‘ala al-salaah (come to prayer); rather say, Sallu fi buyootikum (pray in your houses). It was as if the people found that objectionable. He said: One who is better than me did that. Jumu‘ah is obligatory, but I did not want to force you to walk in the mud and on slippery ground. [al-Nawawi] said: This hadeeth indicates that Jumu‘ah may be waived because of rain and the like. This is our view andthe view of others. Something different wasnarrated from Maalik (may Allah have mercy on him). And Allaah knows best which is correct. End quote. The Hanbalis regarded snow as one of the reasons that make it permissible not to go to Jumu‘ah or prayers in congregation. Its says in Kashshaaf al-Qinaa‘ (1/495): Attendance at Jumu‘ah or prayers in congregation may be waived in the event of rain, mud, snow, ice or acold wind on a dark night, because of the words of Ibn ‘Umar: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) would ask his callerto call out on a cold or rainy night when travelling: Pray where you are. Agreed upon. It was also narrated from Ibn Maajah with a saheeh isnaad, but he did not say “when travelling.” In al-Saheehayn it was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas that he said to his muezzin on a rainy day -- Muslim added thatit was a Friday -- … and he narrated the hadeethquoted above. And the same applies to snow, ice and cold. This confirms that cold wind on a dark night is an excuse, because it is likely that it will rain. End quote. It is well known that many people are not bothered by snow and itdoes not prevent them from going to work and meeting other needs. For these people, snow is no excuse for them not to attend Jumu‘ah. But if it bothers them and makes it very hard for them to get to the mosque, then it is an excuse. And Allah knows best.