(Attracting the Angels Series – Part Six)
In the previous parts, the great importance and immense benefit of acquiring the assistance, du‘aa and protection of the angels was discussed, together with various actions and recitations which are a means of attracting the angels.
Below we will discuss some of those actions which are a means of repelling the angels due to which one is deprived of their presence, or worse – those actions that are a means of earning the curse of the angels.
Woman’s Hair or Satr Being Exposed
In the initial days after Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was bestowed with nubuwwah by Allah Ta‘ala and Sayyiduna Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) began to come to him with wahi (divine revelation) from Allah Ta‘ala, the respected and most honoured wife of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), decided to verify that the one who was coming to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was indeed an angel of Allah Ta‘ala, and not an evil shaitaan.1 Hence, she requested Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to inform her when the angel comes to him again.
Accordingly, the next time Sayyiduna Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) came, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) informed her of his arrival. Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “Can you see him?” and he replied in the affirmative. Thereafter, she removed her scarf, exposing her hair, and opened the upper portion of her chest (near her neck) as well. She then asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “Can you now see him?” This time, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied in the negative, as Sayyiduna Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) had departed as soon as the hair and satr of Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) had become exposed.
Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) then said, “Glad tidings unto you! By Allah, this is indeed an angel, and not a shaitaan (as angels will not remain in a place where a woman’s hair and satr is exposed).” (Tabraani – Majma‘uz Zawaaid #13956, Seerah Ibni Hishaam vol. 1, pg. 239, and Al-Istee‘aab vol. 4, pg. 381)
Foul Odours
The angels of mercy are inconvenienced by foul odours and hence they depart when foul odours are present. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who eats onion, garlic or leek, then he should certainly not come close to our masjid (without first removing the foul odour and stench from his mouth), as the angels are inconvenienced by those things which cause man to be inconvenienced.” (Saheeh Muslim #1254)
Therefore, together with ensuring that our mouth is clean and free of foul odours, we should also ensure that our bodies, homes, etc. are clean and free of foul stenches, as these are a means of repelling the angels of mercy.
Pictures of Animate Objects or a Dog
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The angels (of mercy) do not enter that home in which there is a dog or there is a picture (of an animate object).” (Saheeh Bukhaari #4002)
Unfortunately, the second reason mentioned in the above hadeeth is one of the primary reasons for most homes being devoid of the presence of angels. Be it in the form of the TV, photos or clips on the phone or tablet screen, newspapers and magazines, or children’s toys and pictures on their clothing – many homes have some form of haraam picture in them (picture of an animate object) due to which the angels are distant and the evil shayaateen are close. Therefore, precaution must be exercised in this regard.
Speaking Lies
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “When the servant (of Allah Ta‘ala) speaks a lie, the angel (of mercy) goes away from him to the distance of one mile on account of the foul stench which he causes (i.e. on account of speaking a lie, a foul stench is emitted from his mouth which is perceived by the angel, causing him to depart).” (Sunan Tirmizi #1972)
Delaying Fardh Ghusl and Being Intoxicated
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Three people are such that the angels (of mercy) do not come close to them; (1) the ‘corpse’ of a disbeliever (i.e. the body of a disbeliever, whether dead or alive, however he is referred to as a ‘corpse’ on account of the filth of disbelief), (2) the male who is stained with khalooq (a type of perfume containing yellow dye which is for women, and thus prohibited for men as it is impermissible for men to emulate women), and (3) the one who is in the state of janaabah (in need of a fardh ghusl – whether due to intercourse or haidh, and he delays the ghusl without a valid excuse), except that he performs wudhu (i.e. if he does not wish to make ghusl, then he should make wudhu).” (Sunan Abi Dawood #4180)
In another similar narration, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) also mentioned that the angels of mercy do not come close to the one who is in the state of intoxication. (Bazzaar – Majma‘uz Zawaaid #8265)
[1] It should be borne in mind that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had full conviction that the one coming to him was the angel, Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam), sent to him by Allah Ta‘ala. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) did not have any doubts in this regard, as it is not possible for a Nabi to doubt any aspect of his nubuwwah. However, Sayyidah Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) wished to verify this aspect for her own benefit.