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The Nature and Hierarchy of the Great Angels: Cosmic Executors of the Divine Will
1. The Bearers of the Throne (Hamalat al-Arsh)
The sheer scale of the celestial hierarchy is indicated by the magnitude of the Angels bearing the Divine Throne (al-Arsh):
It is narrated on the authority of Jabir ibn Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "I have been given permission to speak about one of the Angels of Allah who are the Bearers of the Throne: the distance between his earlobe and his shoulder is the distance of seven hundred years of travel." (Authentic Hadith)
2. Jibril (Gabriel): The Arch-Messenger (Shadid al-Quwa)
Jibril is the supreme messenger, known for his immense power and lofty status:
The Power of Manifestation: Allah says: "(He was) taught by one mighty in power (Shadid al-Quwa)." The scholars explained that his immense strength was demonstrated when he lifted the seven cities of the people of Lut (Lot), including nearly 400,000 inhabitants, their livestock, lands, and structures. He raised them on the tip of his wing until they reached the canopy of the sky—where the angels could hear the barking of the dogs and the crowing of the roosters—before flipping them over. This is "the mighty in power."
Beauty and Eminence (Dhu Mirrah): The Quran also describes him as "(Dhu Mirrah) Possessor of beauty and elevated splendour." He is further described as "(a noble messenger) Possessing great strength, and holding a rank of high distinction (Makin) with the Lord of the Throne (Dhil-Arsh al-Majid)." He is 'Obeyed' in the highest heavenly assembly, and 'Trustworthy'—hence his role as the Ambassador between God and His Prophets, descending with Revelation (al-Wahy).
The Cosmic Form: It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saw Jibril in his true form, and "He had six hundred wings, each wing filling the horizon. From his wings fell radiant jewels (tahawil) of pearls and rubies, the knowledge of which is with Allah alone."
Two True Sightings: Aisha reported that she was the first in the Ummah to ask the Messenger of Allah about the verse "And he certainly saw him in the clear horizon... And he certainly saw him in a second descent." The Prophet replied: "That was Jibril. I did not see him in the form in which he was created except twice. I saw him descending from the sky to the earth, his magnificent form blocking the space between the heaven and the earth."
3. Israfil: The Herald of Resurrection
Israfil is one of the Bearers of the Throne and is singularly entrusted with the Cosmic Horn (al-Sur):
The Three Blasts (Nafakhat): He is responsible for three critical blasts upon the Horn:
The Blast of Terror (Nafkhat al-Faza').
The Blast of Stunning/Death (Nafkhat al-Sa'q).
The Blast of Resurrection (Nafkhat al-Ba'th).
The Horn (al-Sur): It is described as a horn, "each circle of which is the distance between the heavens and the earth." It contains the receptacles for the souls of all human beings. When God commands the third blast, "By My Might and Majesty, every soul shall return to the body it inhabited in the world." The souls surge out and enter the corpses in their graves, spreading life like a poison antidote, resurrecting the bodies, which then swiftly emerge towards the Plain of Gathering (al-Mahshar).
Cosmic Vigilance: The Prophet said: "How can I be at ease when the owner of the Horn (Israfil) has taken the Horn to his mouth, tilted his forehead, and waits for the command to blow?" When asked what to say, he instructed: "Say: 'Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs. Upon Allah we rely.'"
4. Mikail (Michael): The Distributor of Sustenance
Mikail is assigned the pivotal role of distributing rain (al-Qatr) and vegetation (al-Nabat), underscoring the spiritual link between the Archangels and the material sustainment of life:
Mikail holds a distinguished status with the Lord, being one of the most noble, close Angels (al-Muqarrabun).
The three Archangels' functions are summarized: "Jibril (Gabriel) brings the Guidance (al-Huda), Mikail brings the Sustenance (al-Rizq), and Israfil brings the Victory and Recompense (al-Nasr wal-Jaza')."
5. The Angelic Hierarchy and Functions
The Angels are organized into distinct divisions based on the cosmic roles assigned by God:
The Elite of Creation: This includes the Bearers of the Throne and the Cherubim (al-Karubiyyun) who circle the Throne; these are the 'Angels Brought Near' (al-Mala’ikah al-Muqarrabun).
Intercession for Believers: Jibril and Mikail are among those who seek forgiveness for the believers in their absence, saying: "Our Lord, You encompass all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way..."
Continuous Worship: The inhabitants of the Seven Heavens are in unfailing, continuous worship, day and night, where some are always bowing, always standing, or always prostrating. Seventy thousand Angels visit the Inhabited House (al-Bayt al-Ma'mur) daily, never to return again.
The Guardians of the Realms:
Paradise (Jannah): Angels are dedicated to preparing the eternal provisions, garments, dwellings, and feasts. The guardian of Paradise is named Ridwan.
Hellfire (Nar): The guardians are the Zabaniyah, led by nineteen chiefs, with Malik as the foremost keeper.
The Protectors of Humanity (Hafizat): Angels are appointed to guard humans (al-Hafizun) from God's command (or until God's decree arrives), protecting them in their wake and sleep. "For him (man) are successive (angels) before him and behind him who protect him by the command of Allah." (Ar-Ra'd: 10-11)
The Recorders of Deeds (Al-Katibun): Two noble scribes sit on the right and left, recording every word spoken and every deed done. "Indeed, (appointed) over you are guardians, noble and recording, who know (and record) whatever you do."
Shift Changes and Congregation: Angels of the Night and Angels of the Day alternate shifts, meeting during the Fajr (Dawn) and Asr (Afternoon) prayers. They ascend to report the state of the servants.
The Constant Companions: Every human is assigned a Qarin (companion) from the Jinn and a Qarin from the Angels.
Angels of Gathering: Angels patrol the earth, beyond those who record deeds, seeking assemblies where people remember God (Dhikr). They call out: "Come to what you seek!" And God grants forgiveness to those gathered, saying: "They are the people whose companion shall not be miserable."
1. The Bearers of the Throne (Hamalat al-Arsh)
The sheer scale of the celestial hierarchy is indicated by the magnitude of the Angels bearing the Divine Throne (al-Arsh):
It is narrated on the authority of Jabir ibn Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "I have been given permission to speak about one of the Angels of Allah who are the Bearers of the Throne: the distance between his earlobe and his shoulder is the distance of seven hundred years of travel." (Authentic Hadith)
2. Jibril (Gabriel): The Arch-Messenger (Shadid al-Quwa)
Jibril is the supreme messenger, known for his immense power and lofty status:
The Power of Manifestation: Allah says: "(He was) taught by one mighty in power (Shadid al-Quwa)." The scholars explained that his immense strength was demonstrated when he lifted the seven cities of the people of Lut (Lot), including nearly 400,000 inhabitants, their livestock, lands, and structures. He raised them on the tip of his wing until they reached the canopy of the sky—where the angels could hear the barking of the dogs and the crowing of the roosters—before flipping them over. This is "the mighty in power."
Beauty and Eminence (Dhu Mirrah): The Quran also describes him as "(Dhu Mirrah) Possessor of beauty and elevated splendour." He is further described as "(a noble messenger) Possessing great strength, and holding a rank of high distinction (Makin) with the Lord of the Throne (Dhil-Arsh al-Majid)." He is 'Obeyed' in the highest heavenly assembly, and 'Trustworthy'—hence his role as the Ambassador between God and His Prophets, descending with Revelation (al-Wahy).
The Cosmic Form: It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saw Jibril in his true form, and "He had six hundred wings, each wing filling the horizon. From his wings fell radiant jewels (tahawil) of pearls and rubies, the knowledge of which is with Allah alone."
Two True Sightings: Aisha reported that she was the first in the Ummah to ask the Messenger of Allah about the verse "And he certainly saw him in the clear horizon... And he certainly saw him in a second descent." The Prophet replied: "That was Jibril. I did not see him in the form in which he was created except twice. I saw him descending from the sky to the earth, his magnificent form blocking the space between the heaven and the earth."
3. Israfil: The Herald of Resurrection
Israfil is one of the Bearers of the Throne and is singularly entrusted with the Cosmic Horn (al-Sur):
The Three Blasts (Nafakhat): He is responsible for three critical blasts upon the Horn:
The Blast of Terror (Nafkhat al-Faza').
The Blast of Stunning/Death (Nafkhat al-Sa'q).
The Blast of Resurrection (Nafkhat al-Ba'th).
The Horn (al-Sur): It is described as a horn, "each circle of which is the distance between the heavens and the earth." It contains the receptacles for the souls of all human beings. When God commands the third blast, "By My Might and Majesty, every soul shall return to the body it inhabited in the world." The souls surge out and enter the corpses in their graves, spreading life like a poison antidote, resurrecting the bodies, which then swiftly emerge towards the Plain of Gathering (al-Mahshar).
Cosmic Vigilance: The Prophet said: "How can I be at ease when the owner of the Horn (Israfil) has taken the Horn to his mouth, tilted his forehead, and waits for the command to blow?" When asked what to say, he instructed: "Say: 'Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs. Upon Allah we rely.'"
4. Mikail (Michael): The Distributor of Sustenance
Mikail is assigned the pivotal role of distributing rain (al-Qatr) and vegetation (al-Nabat), underscoring the spiritual link between the Archangels and the material sustainment of life:
Mikail holds a distinguished status with the Lord, being one of the most noble, close Angels (al-Muqarrabun).
The three Archangels' functions are summarized: "Jibril (Gabriel) brings the Guidance (al-Huda), Mikail brings the Sustenance (al-Rizq), and Israfil brings the Victory and Recompense (al-Nasr wal-Jaza')."
5. The Angelic Hierarchy and Functions
The Angels are organized into distinct divisions based on the cosmic roles assigned by God:
The Elite of Creation: This includes the Bearers of the Throne and the Cherubim (al-Karubiyyun) who circle the Throne; these are the 'Angels Brought Near' (al-Mala’ikah al-Muqarrabun).
Intercession for Believers: Jibril and Mikail are among those who seek forgiveness for the believers in their absence, saying: "Our Lord, You encompass all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way..."
Continuous Worship: The inhabitants of the Seven Heavens are in unfailing, continuous worship, day and night, where some are always bowing, always standing, or always prostrating. Seventy thousand Angels visit the Inhabited House (al-Bayt al-Ma'mur) daily, never to return again.
The Guardians of the Realms:
Paradise (Jannah): Angels are dedicated to preparing the eternal provisions, garments, dwellings, and feasts. The guardian of Paradise is named Ridwan.
Hellfire (Nar): The guardians are the Zabaniyah, led by nineteen chiefs, with Malik as the foremost keeper.
The Protectors of Humanity (Hafizat): Angels are appointed to guard humans (al-Hafizun) from God's command (or until God's decree arrives), protecting them in their wake and sleep. "For him (man) are successive (angels) before him and behind him who protect him by the command of Allah." (Ar-Ra'd: 10-11)
The Recorders of Deeds (Al-Katibun): Two noble scribes sit on the right and left, recording every word spoken and every deed done. "Indeed, (appointed) over you are guardians, noble and recording, who know (and record) whatever you do."
Shift Changes and Congregation: Angels of the Night and Angels of the Day alternate shifts, meeting during the Fajr (Dawn) and Asr (Afternoon) prayers. They ascend to report the state of the servants.
The Constant Companions: Every human is assigned a Qarin (companion) from the Jinn and a Qarin from the Angels.
Angels of Gathering: Angels patrol the earth, beyond those who record deeds, seeking assemblies where people remember God (Dhikr). They call out: "Come to what you seek!" And God grants forgiveness to those gathered, saying: "They are the people whose companion shall not be miserable."