Belief in Angels: The Second Pillar of Iman
In Islam, belief in the Angels (Al-Mala'ikah) is a fundamental requirement of faith. It is the second of the Six Pillars of Iman (Faith), immediately following the belief in Allah. Denying the existence of angels is equivalent to denying the Quran itself, as they are mentioned extensively throughout the holy text.
What Are Angels Made Of?
According to an authentic Hadith narrated by Aisha (RA), the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: "The angels were created from light (Nur), the jinn were created from a smokeless flame of fire, and Adam was created from that which has been described to you (clay)." (Sahih Muslim).
Unlike humans and Jinn, angels do not possess free will. They are incapable of committing sins and exist solely to execute the commands of Allah and to worship Him constantly without ever experiencing fatigue.
Can Angels Take Human Form?
Yes. The Quran and Sunnah provide several instances where angels took the form of men. The Archangel Jibril (Gabriel) appeared as a perfectly formed man to Maryam (Mary) to announce the miraculous birth of Prophet Isa (Jesus). Additionally, in the famous "Hadith of Jibril," he appeared before the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Sahaba as a man dressed in exceedingly white clothes to teach them about Islam, Iman, and Ihsan.
The Concept of Guardian Angels (Al-Mu'aqqibat)
Islam teaches that every human being has angels assigned to protect them. The Quran states: "For each one are successive [angels] before and behind him who protect him by the decree of Allah." (Surah Ar-Ra'd 13:11). These angels guard a person from harm until the exact moment of their decreed death arrives, at which point they step aside.