Belief in Angels

Delivered by: AD

Delivered on: July 13, 2018

Delivered at: ICCM 1st Khutbah

Delivered by: AD

Delivered on: July 20, 2018

Delivered at: Milton Lion's Club

Khutbah Outline

First Khutbah

1) Reason for choosing this topic:
   a) One of six pillars of Iman - Hadith of Jibreel.
   b) Not a separate species, but rather connected to us even though we don't see them.

2) Background of Angels:
   a) Ilm al ghayb - so we only use Quran/Sunnah for understanding of Angels.
   b) Created from light, and created much before humans.
   c) Powerful - can travel, don't eat, drink, sleep, procreate.
   d) Constantly worship Allah and don't get tired (Reference: Quran 21:19-20, Quran 16:49-50).
   e) Quantity is huge (Reference: Hadith of Bayt-al-Ma'moor, and Hadith of even 4-fingers space occupied in heavens by Angels standing, bowing and prostrating).

3) How and when to Angels interact with humankind:
   a) Greatest Interaction - revelation brought down by Jibreel to all the messengers.
   b) Kiraman Katibeen - 2 Angels on our left & right writing our deeds (Reference: Quran 50:17-18 and Quran 82:10-12).
   c) Guardian Angels in front of us and behind us (Reference: Quran 13:11).
   d) Angels holding the throne of Allah make du'a for believers and those who are on the straight path (Reference: Quran 40:7-9).

4) Specific good deeds that get angels to make du'a for us or send Allah's mercy upon us:
   a) Those who give charity (Reference: Hadith of 2 angels coming down every day asking Allah to bless the one who gave charity and deprive the one who was stingy).
   b) Those who teach good (Reference: Hadith of Allah, Angels, and all creation in the heavens and earth, even ants in their holes and fish in the sea making du'a for those who teach good).
   c) Those who come to Masjid (Reference: Hadith of Allah & Angels bless the first row; Hadith of Angels making du'a for those who keep sitting after prayer is complete; Hadith of Angels making du'a for those who come early and are waiting for prayer).
   d) Those who visit the sick (Reference: Hadith of 70,000 Angels accompanying and asking Allah's forgiveness for those who visit the sick from morning to evening).
   e) Those who make du'a for others in their absence (Reference: Hadith of Angels saying "Ameen and may it be for you" to those who make du'a for others in their absence).
   f) Those who gather for knowledge (Reference: Hadith of Angels surround gatherings of knowledge and Allah boasts about them to Angels near Him).

Many more interactions with Angels can be mentioned if time permits --> Examples: i) saying Ameen after al-fatihah co-inciding with Ameen of Angels; ii) Suhoor; iii) Sending Salat on Prophet Muhammad (SA); iv) Visiting someone for sake of Allah. 

Second Khutbah

5) Angels so perfect, have been worshiping Allah since beginning of time.  But on the day of judgement they will say they didn't worship Allah as He deserved to be worshipped.

(Reference: The Messenger of Allah (SA) said, “The Balance will be set up on the Day of Resurrection, and even if the heavens and the earth were to be weighed in it, they would fit. The angels will say, ‘O Lord! Who will be weighed in this?’ Allah will say, ‘Whoever I will among My creation.’ The angels will say, ‘Glory be to You. We did not worship You as You deserved to be worshipped.'" [Al-Hakim - Classed as Sahih by Sh al-Albaani].

How about us?  Despite that we're higher than Angels in sight of Allah.  Proof: Allah asked Angels to bow down to Adam out of respect.  Condition to become higher than Angels - be righteous.

Hope that Angels will greet us when we enter Jannah (Reference: Quran 13:24)

6) Hadith of when Allah loves a person he calls out to Jibreel who loves him and then all Angels love him and acceptance is put in hearts of people.
How do we get Allah's love?  By being muttaqeen, sabireen, muhsineen, etc.  But most importantly, by being tawwabeen (Quran 2:222).  By default that means that those constantly commit sins but constantly repent, Allah loves them.  Emphasis on: turn back to Allah in repentance no matter how many sins we've done, and we will inshaAllah get Allah to love us, and the Angels and the humankind.