(Angels Series – Introduction)
In this world there are things which we can see, and things which we cannot see, yet both have an effect and impact upon our lives. We can see water, and we also perceive its effect through its wetness, coolness and hydrating properties. On the other hand, we cannot see air, yet its impact on our lives is undeniable, as is witnessed with every breath that we take.
In the very same way, those who help us, support us, encourage us, protect us and make du‘aa for us also fall into the above two categories – those whom we can see, and those who are veiled from our sight. Friends, family, fellow Muslims and well-wishers are among our helpers, protectors and supporters whom we can see, while our helpers, protectors and supporters whom we cannot see are the angels of Allah Ta‘ala.
In the Quraan Majeed, Allah Ta‘ala explains that when a believer is steadfast upon Deen, by striving to please Allah Ta‘ala at all times and refraining from His displeasure at all times, then he is befriended by the angels. These angels are not only his friends in this world, but even comfort him at the time of his death and give him company and solace in the Hereafter as well. Allah Ta‘ala says:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ ﴿٣٠﴾ نَحْنُ أَوْلِيَاؤُكُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ ۖ
“Indeed, those who said, ‘Our Rabb is Allah!’, and thereafter they remained steadfast (upon the sharee‘ah), the angels descend upon them (at the time of their death saying), ‘Do not fear (the coming stages of the Hereafter), and do not grieve (over your family and friends whom you are leaving behind), and receive glad tidings of the Jannah which you were promised! We were your friends in the worldly life and (we will remain your friends) in the Hereafter.’” (Surah Fussilat v30-31)
Among the angels of Allah Ta‘ala are those who are appointed by Allah Ta‘ala to safeguard and protect a person from various types of physical and spiritual harm (e.g. the harm of the evil shayaateen and jinn). These ‘guardian angels’ have been mentioned in the following verse of the Quraan Majeed,
لَهُ مُعَقِّبَاتٌ مِّن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ يَحْفَظُونَهُ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ ۗ
“For every one (from among you) there are angels replacing one another, in front of him and behind him, who guard him by the command of Allah.” (Surah Ra‘d v11)
Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) has also made mention of these guardian angels saying, “Every servant (of Allah Ta‘ala) has a group of guardian angels protecting him, so that a wall does not collapse on him, or he does not fall into a well, or an animal does not harm him, until the time when that decreed calamity which was preordained for him comes, then the guardian angels move away from him, after which whatever Allah Ta‘ala wishes to afflict him then afflicts him.” (Makaa-idush Shaitaan – Ibnu Abid Dunya #76)
Furthermore, these angels not only provide a believer with physical protection. Rather, they also motivate and encourage him towards righteousness and dissuade and discourage him from falling into sin. Thereafter, if despite the warnings of the angels, he still falls into sin, then they encourage him to repent to Allah Ta‘ala and make amends. Hence, these guardian angels assist us in both our Deen and our dunya. (Ma‘aariful Quraan vol. 5. pg. 182)
It should be borne in mind that there are certain actions which ‘attract’ the angels and cause them to make du‘aa for us, and there are also certain actions which repel the angels and cause us to be deprived of their blessed company.
Insha-Allah, in the coming parts, we will discuss some of the actions which cause us to gain the company, du‘aa and protection of the angels so that we can bring these actions into our lives, and we will also mention some of the actions which repel the angels so that we can avoid them, thus not depriving ourselves of their company.