Belief in Angels

Dear Readers,

The second pillar of faith is belief in Angels. Angels belong to The Amr Alam (The Command World or The Angelic World), which is one of the two big worlds which was created by Allah (swt). It is an unseen world, which is also called as world of spirits. It is not possible to perceive this world with the equipment and possibilities of the material world. Believers can understand, accept and approve the unseen world only by their hearts. The heart is the window which is opened to the spiritual world. However, if Allah (swt) allows, the ones in this world can see them.

Gabriel (a.s.) appeared to Maryam the Virgin as a man, as it is stated in the meaning of verse of Qur'an "We sent her Our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects." [Maryam, 17].

"Gabriel appeared in front of Rasulullah (s.a.w) as a man generally as one of his companions called Dihyah. Some of the companions of Rasulullah also saw Gabriel as a man." ^[1]

# The companions of Rasulullah (s.a.w) saw Gabriel

The famous "faith, Islam, beneficence" hadith is the most important evidence of it. Abu Huraira (r.a.) states:

One day Rasulullah (s.a.w) was sitting outside. Someone came and asked: "What is Faith?" Rasulullah (s.a.w) answered:

"Faith is believing in Allah, His Angels, His Messengers, returning to Allah (swt) again and also resurrection." 

He asked "What is Islam?" and Rasulullah (s.a.w) ordered:

"Islam is worshipping Allah (swt), not setting partners to Him, performing salat, paying Zakat, and fasting in Ramadan."

He asked "What does beneficence mean?"

Rasulullah ordered, "Worshipping Allah (swt) as if you are seeing Him. If you cannot see Allah (swt), He will see you without doubt." 

He asked, "When is the doomsday?"  

He ordered that: "The person who is asked is not wiser on the subject than the person who asks the question."

After Rasulullah stated something about doomsday, the man walked away.

Rasulullah (s.a.w) ordered that: "Stop him." but they could not find the man.  Rasulullah said

"This is Gabriel (a.s). He is here to teach religion to the people."  [Bukhari]

On the other hand, the verses of Qur'an state that Gabriel read Qur'an for Rasulullah (s.a.w) and Rasulullah (s.a.w) tried to read Qur'an with him not to forget and Allah (swt) warned him not to hurry but listen:

"Move not thy tongue concerning the (Qur'an) to make haste therewith." [Qiyamah, 16]

"It is for Us to collect it and to recite it" [Qiyamah, 17]

# Another story

Dear Readers, there are also other stories, which represent that the angels especially Gabriel was seen by Rasulullah and some of his companions:

"Rasulullah met a group from his companions in Savreyn, which is close to Medina on the fifth year of Hijra before he traveled to Benu Qurayza.

- Didn't you meet anyone?

- Ya Rasulullah we met Dihyah al-Kalbi. He was riding a white and saddled mule. There was a satin velvet on the mule.

When Rasulullah heard it, he said:

- He is Gabriel. He was sent to Benu Qurayza to shake their castles and fear them." ^[2]

There are also other stories in the hadith books.

The information, which are from clear verses of Qur'an and quotations from the trustworthy people clearly show that angels, especially Gabriel sometimes appeared to Maryam, Messengers, Rasulullah and some of the companions of Rasulullah as a man.

# The ones who are responsible from the works of world and Hereafter

Dear Readers,

Allah (swt) created all the visible and invisible worlds. He also enables the movement and dynamism of them. Allah (swt) is alive and His aliveness is by Himself. His aliveness as His knowledge, strength and power is forever, eternal, perfect and absolute.

The energies of all created and alive things are from Allah (Swt) within the order and arrangement of Allah (swt). Aliveness and power of the created creatures do not resemble the aliveness of Allah (swt). The dynamism of them is enabled with some special physical and chemical mechanisms, which are created by Allah (swt). This aliveness and dynamism has a limited, temporary and relative structure, which is different for each living thing. The created living things get tired in time and need rest. If the mechanisms which supply energy do not work due to any reason, the living things die. The aliveness mechanism in the material world is significantly clarified by modern science. How is the aliveness provided in the spiritual world? What are the real states of the angels? How can they be visible for the human in the material world? Unfortunately, human do not have much knowledge on metaphysical subjects. However, as I stated above, it is constant that angels can appear as men with Qur'an and the testimony of trustworthy people.

# Angels are alive, wise and luminous creatures

As it can be clearly understood from the statements of Qur'an and Hadiths, angels are alive, wise and luminous creatures.

Angels are precious and honorable servants of Allah (swt). They are neither His partners nor children.

"And they say: "The Most Gracious has taken a son!" Glory to Him! They are (but) servants raised to honor." [Anbiyaa, 26]

Angels obey the orders of Allah (swt). They never rebel against Him. They never commit sins. They perform the orders of Allah and celebrate His praises.

"They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command." [Anbiyaa, 27]

"They all fear their Lord, high above them, and they do all that they are commanded." [Nahl, 50]

 "To Him belong all (creatures) in the heavens and on earth: even those who are with Him are not too proud to serve Him, nor are they (ever) weary (of His service). They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit." [Anbiyaa, 19-20]

Angels are not male or female. They do not marry, give birth, breed, eat or drink.

It is ordered in the verse from the Qur'an that:

"And they make into females angels who themselves serve Allah. Did they witness their creation?" [Zukhruf, 19]

The angels have wings but the formation of them is not known. Some of the scholars interpreted the wings as the duties which are assigned to them. Allah (swt) knows the truth. It is ordered in the verses from the Qur'an that:

"Praise be to Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth, Who made the angels, messengers with wings,- two, or three, or four (pairs)." [Fatir, 1] 

# Four angels govern the works of world

Rasulullah (s.a.w) ordered that four archangels govern the works of world.

"Four angels govern the works of world, Gabriel, Michael, Raphael and death angel Azrael." [Kurtubi]

Gabriel is the angel which is responsible from revealing Qur'an. Gabriel revealed Qur'an in the heart of Rasulullah.

"With it came down the Truthful Spirit To thy heart, that thou mayest admonish. In the perspicuous Arabic tongue."  [Shuaraa, 193-194-195]

"Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and messengers, to Gabriel and Michael, Lo! Allah is an enemy to those who reject Faith."  [Baqarah, 98]

Michael's duty is managing the events on the earth whilst Raphael is responsible from blowing a trumpet. The duty of Azrael is to receive the spirits of the dead.

"Say: The Angel of Death, put in charge of you, will (duly) take your souls: then shall ye be brought back to your Lord."  [Sajdah, 11]

 Be entrusted to Allah.

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[1] http://www.dinimizislam.com/detay.asp?Aid=1711
[2] http://www.dinimizislam.com/detay.asp?Aid=3664

Science does not deny the existence of Allah (swt)

Dear Readers,

I would like to explain another important subject within believing in Allah. Some of the scientists think that religion is a "dogma" and the most important obstacle of science. This is certainly a big mistake.

It is obvious that the judgments of the religion are not scientific judgments, but value judgments. Like all value judgments, they are “dogma”s.

"Scientific judgments" are verified and proven by experiments. "Value judgments" are the judgments, which are considered as true and real by many people, and assigned a value to them by the religion, government or a society. 100 $ in your pocket is in fact nothing but a piece of paper scientifically. However the government assigned a value of 100 $ to it. You can exchange any good or service of 100 $ with this piece of paper. A flag equals to a value of 50-100 grams of cotton or wool with paint on it when we consider it scientifically. When we consider it from the perspective of the nation it represents an inestimable value.

# Universal truths of all time

Let's consider the judgments of religion now. It is clear that Islam, which is conveyed to people via messengers of Allah (swt) from the first human, is the sole religion in the sight of Allah (swt). The judgments of the religion are certainly value judgments. However, these value judgments are significantly different from the ones (as the value of the money) that people assigned to objects and events. There are no conflicts between basic values of religion with scientific judgments as the both values are assigned by Allah (swt), who also assigns the values of material world. Both of them present the universal truths of all time in different areas (science in material world; religion in human behavior area). Contrary to what some of the scientists believe, judgments of Islam never conflict with scientific judgments. Each finding of science experimentally presents how Islam is right, true and realistic in its judgments.

# Science and religion assist each other

Islam is the most important complementary of science because scientific study mostly needs scientific mentality. Scientific mentality requires an objective approach apart from personal feelings, opinions and thoughts. It can only be achieved by an objective perspective by getting rid of will and desires of the nafs (ego). The most effective life style for scientific mentality is Islam.

Whilst Islam is the most important assistance of science, science also helps Islam strongly because science provides opportunities for us to understand the universe better each day. The universe organized and managed by Allah, is a great world which was created by Allah (swt) in which we can see the results of the actional attributes of Allah. Science never denies the existence of Allah (swt). Each new data, finding and discovery of science helps us understand the greatness of the divine order,  increases our love, passion and worship to the owner of the divine order, thereby strengthens our faith.

A person, who denies the owner of the order even he sees, investigates and perceives everything in the order, is like a person, who does not realize that a wonderful painting has an artist.

# The unseen world beyond the substance

Dear Readers,

Faith is not related to mind, but it is related to heart. The verses of Qur'an highlight as follows:

"Say, 'Ye have no faith; but ye (only) say, We have submitted our wills to Allah'; For not yet has Faith entered your hearts." [Hujurat, 14]

"For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with a spirit from Himself." [Mujadala, 22] 

 It is natural because "mind" is a mental mechanism, which works on the material world with the data of the material world making interpretations and evaluations on objects, situations, events, places and times. People comprehend and adapt the environment they live in by way of mind. Their behaviors become complete and consistent. They take precautions for the future problems. Mind is also the basis of religion. It is ordered in the Hadiths that:

"The mind is a part of faith." [Bayhaqi] 

"The faith of the person depends on his mind." [Abu’sh-Shayh]

"A person without mind doesn't have faith." [Tirmidhi] 

But people cannot understand all the existence with mind.

# Faith is believing in the unseen

The human mind understands the divine order and comprehends the owner of it. He realizes that Allah (swt) is the owner of His works. As Allah (swt) highlighted in the above verses of Qur'an; faith depends on heart not mind. The great world, which is composed of all of the created things, is not limited to what we can see. There is also a spiritual organization and an unseen spiritual world which can be known by orders of Allah, beyond this material world. The material world is called as the Khalq Alam (The Creatures World) and this spiritual world is called as the Amr Alam (The Command World or The Angelic World). That is an unknown "the unseen realm" for the human. Actually people have small knowledge on the past and future. Therefore, after stating that Qur'an is a guiding book for those who care it, Allah (swt) ordered at the very beginning of Qur'an that:

"Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them;" [Baqarah, 3] 

# What does Unseen mean?

The following verses of Qur'an describe the meaning of Unseen:

"But it is righteousness to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers;"  [Baqarah, 177]

"O ye who believe! Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and the scripture which He hath sent to His Messenger and the scripture which He sent to those before (him). Any who denieth Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messenger, and the Day of Judgment, hath gone far, far astray."  [Nisaa, 136]

The issues, which are known as six pillars of faith together with fate, are the Unseen information which Allah (swt) wishes us to believe. Therefore, a believer must believe everything that He ordered us via His messengers as well as he believes in Allah (swt), the creator and owner of the order which he lives in. He must leave the issues such as "how they are" or "what is their true nature" to Allah (swt) rather than his mind. As the poet stated, the scale of mind do not weigh such a load.

Be entrusted to Allah.

Muhkam and mutashabih verses of Qur'an

Dear Readers,

Allah is excluded from space and time. In other words, He exists without a location and as timeless. Time and space concepts are the concepts belong to the material world. On the other hand, the material world is created in image level. For this reason, there is a mental necessity in explaining giving another meaning the statements, which seem to assign some organs or locations to Allah. Allah (swt) clearly stated in the verses of Qur'an that "There is nothing whatever like unto Him," (Shura, 11) and "And there is none like unto Him." (Ikhlas, 4). The scientists who are followers of sunnah had to interpret (explain metaphorically) some statements of Qur'an and Hadiths as to make them clear for the Muslims.

The basic is understanding the statements in their real meanings rather than metaphors. Explaining by giving different meaning is an exception. If giving clear meanings of a statement in a verse of Qur'an is not appropriate to logic and religion then competent scholars interpret them. Interpreting the verses of Qur'an requires great responsibility. Rasulullah (s.a.w) ordered that:

"Whoever interprets the Qur'an by his own opinion shall take his place in fire."  [Tirmidhi]

# Muhkam and mutashabih verses of Qur'an

The verses of Qur'an, with clear and understandable meaning, which give the provisions about the regulation of the legal relations between people are called "Muhkam" verses (a provision stating verses). Muhkam verses of Qur'an are clear, explicit verses which have a single meanings. There are also "mutashabih" (similar) verses of Qur'an which have more than one meaning with metaphorical, implicit and allegorical meanings. These verses, which can be understood differently by people of different faith, knowledge and culture levels, are similar and repeated. It was ordered about mutashabih verses of Qur'an that:

"Allah has revealed (from time to time) the most beautiful Message in the form of a Book, consistent with itself, (yet) repeating (its teaching in various aspects)"  [Zumar, 23]

Allah (swt) ordered about muhkam verses with clear meanings and mutashabih verses with different meanings that;

"He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book: In it are verses basic or fundamental (of established, clear meaning); they are the foundation of the Book: others are not entirely clear. But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is not clear, seeking discord, and searching for hidden meanings in it, but no one knows its interpretation except Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in the Book; the whole of it is from our Lord:" and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding."  [Al-i Imran, 7]

Therefore, the companions of Rasulullah and scholar in the first centuries of Islam, who were known as Salaf-i salihin, abstained from expressing their opinions on the mutashabih verses of Qur'an and stated "Allah (swt) knows the state of the subjects that are stated within the verses".

"The previous scholars, who were known as Salaf-i salihin did not need to interpret the words such as istiva, yed [hand] because the meaning of the words were already known. When we state (Iraq is in the hands of the governor), there is no need for explanation because it is clear that the word hand is not the real hand. They understood that Allah (swt) is ruling the arsh upon saying (Allah settled Himself on the Arsh). However, when the wrong party, which was called as Mushabbihe, wrongly interpreted as (Allah has hand like us. Allah sits on the arsh), the following scholars had to explain these words. There are many verses in the Qur'an which must be interpreted. If the real meanings are considered, awkward meanings can cause blasphemy. Therefore, even Wahhabis, who did not accept interpretations, had to comment on some verses of Qur'an." ^[1]

As it can be understood from the statements, to explain by giving convenient meaning is a necessity to prevent misunderstanding of the religion.

# Some statements require to explain by giving different meaning

Dear Readers,

I stated above that Islam scholars had to interpret the statements in the verses of Qur'an which seem to assign locations and organs to Allah (Swt) in order to prevent misunderstandings. I would like to give you a few examples for a better understanding of the subject.

It is ordered in the verse from the Qur'an that:

"Do ye feel secure that He Who is in Heaven will not cause you to be swallowed up by the earth when it shakes ."  [Mulk, 16]

When this verse of Qur'an is considered, it is understood as Allah (swt) is in the sky. However, Tabari interpreted the verse of Qur'an as "Are you sure that the ones in the skies will not cause you to be swallowed up with the order of Allah?" and Imam-i Baydawi commented as "Are you sure about the angel assigned for the administration of the universe, which Allah has made him proxy to be swallowed up you by the earth?"

It is ordered in 10. verses of Fath in the Qur'an that:

"The Hand of Allah is over their hands."

Elmalili H. Yazir stated that Ibni Djarir assigned two meanings in his comment as "They bay'ah Allah by bay'ah to Allah's messenger" and "Allah's power is over their power".

# What must we understand from settling Himself on the Arsh?

It is ordered in the verses from the Qur'an that:

"Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then He settled Himself on the Arsh."  [Araf, 54; Yunus, 3; Hadid, 4]

The word "settled" in these verses of Qur'an were interpreted as "He dominated the arsh. He surrounded the arsh. He ruled over the arsh. He became the ruler of the arsh."

Elmalili interpreted the word "settle" as "Considering Allah (swt) as sitting, standing or lying on a throne in the arsh because the word settle is used as sitting, standing or protecting will be a serious ignorance both in terms of logic and religion. Even the glossary allows such a meaning; the logic and religion do not allow it.

Therefore, the real meaning of settling is higher than our cognition level. The comment which will be appropriate is as follows: Allah (swt) created the heavens and earth in special times and then He settled on the Arsh without the direction and location, in the meaning He intended."

The approach of Mutasawwif Imam-i Rabbani hazrats is different. He states that heart covers both realms as a passage between the khalq (material) and amr (spiritual) worlds, in the Human who is a small kingdom. In the same way, Arsh also covers both realms as a passage between the material and spiritual worlds, in the great kingdom. It is the rising point of hazrat Allah's divine lights, who has gathered over himself all the perfect attributes. (Mektubat-i Rabbani, Mektup: 323-324)

# The power of Allah (swt) crushed the mountain

Dear Readers,

In another verse, it is ordered that:

"When Moses came to the place appointed by Us, and his Lord addressed him, He said: "O my Lord! show (Thyself) to me, that I may look upon Thee." Allah said: "By no means canst thou see Me (direct); But look upon the mount; if it abide in its place, then shalt thou see Me." When his Lord manifested Himself to the Mount, He made it as dust. And Moses fell down in a swoon." [Araf, 143]

The statement of  "manifesting Himself to the mount" was expressed in the interpretation of Elmalili as follows:

"...It is a relative manifest rather than His power and strength. He made the mountain a dust with a piece of His order and will."

It is ordered in the verse from the Qur'an that:

"To Allah belong the East and the West: whithersoever ye turn, there is Allah's face. For Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing."  [Baqarah, 115]

Elmalili interpreted this verse of Qur'an as follows:

"Not only the mosques but also entire globe with all its directions and locations and entire earth from West to East belong to Allah. Therefore, wherever you turn, there is a direction to Allah (swt). Allah is excluded from direction and location but all the directions and locations belong to Him. It is not necessary to be in a mosque to perform prayer. It is clear that, in case of necessity, prayer can be performed  in any direction or location all over the world for the sake of Allah (swt)."

Tabari interpreted the statement "the face of Allah" as "the will of Allah".

It is ordered in the verse from the Qur'an that:

"On the Day of Judgment the whole of the earth will be but His handful, and the heavens will be rolled up in His right hand:"  [Zumar, 67]

Tabari quoted from Abu Huraira that Rasulullah ordered:

"Allah will take the whole earth (in His Hand) and will roll up the Heaven in His right Hand, and then He will say, "I am King! Where are the kings of the earth?"  [Buhari, Muslim]

and noted at the end of the interpretation of the verse of Qur'an that:

# The hand means the power of Allah (swt)

Salaf-i Salihin accepted the hadith as they are and did not interpret about them. The following scholars explained them by giving convenient meaning in order to prevent the misunderstandings. For example: They stated that "hand" in the statement of "the hand of Allah" means "the power of Allah. Therefore, the explanation of the verse of the Qur'an is as follows:

"They could not appreciate Allah (swt) properly. However, all the earth and Day of Judgment are under His power and dominance. The skies will be convoluted under His power."

In addition to verses of Qur'an, some hadiths have statements, which require comment: It is ordered in the Hadiths that:

"...Don't you trust me? I am the trustworthy of the one in the sky. I am informed about the sky in the morning and evening." [Buhari, Muslim]

"Allah is in the sky but His knowledge is everywhere. Nothing is kept secret from Him." [Ebu Davud]

Mawlana Halid Baghdadi hazrats stated for the verses of Qur'an and hadiths that:

"Allah has no direction or opposition. He is not a material nor an object. He is not limited in number. He cannot be measured. He does not change. He does not have a location. He is not in a single place. He is not limited to time. Before, after, back, front, up, down, right, left concepts can not be used for Him. Therefore, human thought, knowledge and mind can understand nothing about Him. Human cannot perceive how He can be seen. Illicit words to be used for Allah (swt) such as hand, foot, direction, location are stated in the verses of Qur'an and Hadiths but their meanings are different from the real meanings. These verses and hadiths are named as mutashabihat. They are interpreted. Other meanings that are appropriate to Allah (swt) are given. We must say that we believed in as it is wished for the mutashabih verses of Qur'an". (Itikadname) ^[2]

In Hadith it is also ordered that:

"Seven things are ordered in Qur'an: Prohibitions, orders, unlawful and lawful things, muhkam, mutashabih and examples. Be aware of the lawful and unlawful things and obey the orders! Beware the forbidden! Draw lessons from the examples and stories! Obey the muhkam ones! Believe in the mutashabih ones!" [Hakim]

Be entrusted to Allah.

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[2] http://www.dinimizislam.com/detay.asp?Aid=477