8.2 Angels: Their Nature and Duties

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Main Content

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1. Belief in Angels — Its Place in Islam

Belief in angels is the second article of faith in Islam, coming right after belief in Allah SWT. It is a fundamental requirement — without it, a Muslim's faith is incomplete.

Allah SWT makes this clear in the Quran:

Context: In this verse, Allah SWT lists the essential beliefs a Muslim must hold. Rejecting any one of them — including belief in angels — is described as going far astray from the right path. This shows that belief in angels is not optional; it is obligatory.

Allah SWT also mentions this belief as a sign of true righteousness:

Context: Here, Allah SWT explains that true righteousness (Al-Birr) is not merely about the direction of prayer. Rather, it is about holding firm and sincere belief in Allah SWT, the Last Day, the angels, the Books, and the Prophets AS. Belief in angels is therefore listed as one of the pillars of righteous faith.

Furthermore, the Quran confirms the belief of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH and all believers:

Context: This verse confirms that the Prophet Muhammad PBUH himself, and every true believer, believes in Allah SWT, His angels, His Books, and His Messengers. It unites the entire Muslim community in this shared and essential belief.

When the angel Jibril AS visited Prophet Muhammad PBUH in the form of a man and asked him about Iman (faith), the Prophet PBUH replied:

Context: This famous exchange, known as the Hadith of Jibril AS, gives Muslims the clearest and most complete definition of Iman. Belief in angels is listed as one of its six pillars, confirming how central it is to a Muslim's faith.