The Angels are among the best and most important of Allah’s creation. Allah gives them essential duties, and Allah allows many of them to be close to Him. The Angels usually stay in Heaven and only come down to earth when Allah orders them to do so and take things up to the heavens, such as the good deeds of the people and the souls of the dead.
On the Night of Qadr, the Angels come down to earth in large numbers. In Surah Al Qadr ayah 4, Allah says (with Engish translations): ‘The Angels and the Spirit (Jibreel) descend during it (Night of Qadr) with all sorts of orders, by their Lord’s permission.
Whatever they are doing is with orders and permissions from Allah. They continually worship Allah. They stand in prayer, make rukoo (bowing), and also sujood to Allah. ‘Those (Angels) near Him are never too proud to worship Him, nor do they become tired (of the worship). They exalt Him night and day without reducing their worship’. [1] The Angels are Allah’s creations that obey Him and always worship Him.
They also pray in rows with straight lines. Once Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessing be upon him) told his companions. ‘Don’t you like to line up like the Angels before their Lord? They complete the first row, then the next.’ [2].
Don’t you like to follow the example of the Angels?
As for how the Angels continually worship Allah, praying in rows, we are encouraged to do the same. How beautiful could it be to see people standing in rows with straight lines filling the gaps, praying to Allah?
The Angels have shown us a great example. From ”Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessing be upon him) said, “Indeed Allah and His Angels always pray for those who continue the row.” [3] In another related hadith, ”Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessing be upon him) said, “Indeed Allah and His Angels always pray for those who continue the row (in the prayer). Whoever fills a gap, Allah raises him one level because of it.” [4] MashaAllah, just as simple as that. By following the example of the Angels and continuing rows in prayer, we can get many benefits. We may get the dua of Allah and His Angels, and Allah raises our level and status.
Let us take the opportunity to practice one thing that Allah and his Angels like. We should start practicing standing in a straight line, filling up the gaps in rows during our congregational fard prayer. Let us begin today!
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Please click here to download free worksheets and notes on Learning about the Angels part 1 and 2.
[1] Surah al Anbiyaa 21:19-20
[2] Recorded by Muslim and others, Jaabir bin Samurah
[3] (Classed Sahih by Sheikh Al Albani in his work, “Shahih At Targhib wat Tarhib” I/272)
[4] Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and others. Verified to be Hasan by Sheikh Al Albani.
References:
- Knowing the Angels 2nd Edition by Sheikh Muhammad al Jibaly.