Title of the Sermon: "We Are Your Allies in This World and the Hereafter"
Elements of the Sermon:
Who are the angels?
The meaning of the angels’ alliance with the believers.
Manifestations of the alliance.
Belief in the angels.
All praise is due to Allah, the Almighty and Oft-Forgiving, who says:
هُوَ الَّذِي يُصَلِّي عَلَيْكُمْ وَمَلَائِكَتُهُ لِيُخْرِجَكُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ
“It is He who sends blessings upon you, and His angels [ask Him to do so] that He may bring you out from darknesses into the light.”
I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, with no partner, the Lord of Jibreel, Mika’eel, and Israfeel. I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. May Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and his companions in abundance.
To proceed: Fear Allah, O servants of Allah, as He should be feared, and be mindful of Him both in private and public. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ
“O you who believe, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims.”
نَحْنُ أَوْلِيَاؤُكُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا
“We are your allies in the worldly life.”
How beautiful are these words of reassurance in times of fear! When the angels of mercy descend with glad tidings upon those who believe in Allah and remain steadfast upon His obedience. Allah says:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنْتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ * نَحْنُ أَوْلِيَاؤُكُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ
“Indeed, those who have said, ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then remained steadfast, the angels will descend upon them, [saying], ‘Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised. We are your allies in the worldly life and in the Hereafter.’” [Fussilat: 30-31].
“We are your allies” – We are your protectors, your supporters, your companions, and your helpers. This is how we were in this world, and this is how we will remain with you in the Hereafter until you enter Paradise. Indeed, the bond of loyalty between the angels and the believers in both this world and the Hereafter is unbroken.
Who are the angels? What is this loyalty? And why does it exist between the angels of Allah and the believers?
The angels are a radiant creation of Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The angels were created from light.” [Muslim]
Allah created them to be devoted worshippers and obedient soldiers, constantly glorifying Him without weariness. They do not disobey Allah in what He commands them and carry out all His orders. Allah created them with great forms. He says:
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ فَاطِرِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ جَاعِلِ الْمَلَائِكَةِ رُسُلًا أُولِي أَجْنِحَةٍ مَثْنَى وَثُلَاثَ وَرُبَاعَ
“[All] praise is [due] to Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, [who] made the angels messengers having wings, two, three, or four.” [Fatir: 1].
Some of them have been created with extraordinary attributes. The Prophet ﷺ saw Jibreel, peace be upon him, with “six hundred wings.” [Bukhari and Muslim] He ﷺ also said: “I saw him, and pearls and rubies were falling from his feathers.” [Ahmad]
The Prophet ﷺ further said: “I was permitted to speak about one of the angels of Allah, a carrier of the Throne. The distance between the lobe of his ear and his shoulder is a journey of seven hundred years.” [Abu Dawood]
Their numbers are immense, known only to Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The heavens creak, and they have every right to creak. There is not a space of four fingers except that there is an angel placing his forehead in prostration to Allah.” [Tirmidhi]
Despite their immense obedience to Allah, they are filled with awe and reverence for Him. Allah says:
وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِنْ دَابَّةٍ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ * يَخَافُونَ رَبَّهُمْ مِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ
“And to Allah prostrates whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth of creatures, and the angels [as well], and they are not arrogant. They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.” [An-Nahl: 49-50].
Even Jibreel, with his magnificent form, was seen by the Prophet ﷺ on the Night of Ascension, appearing like “a worn-out mat” out of fear of Allah. [Tabarani]
These are the angels. What is the secret behind their words to the believer at the time of death: “We are your allies in the worldly life”?
It is because when the believers have faith in Allah and obey Him, a bond of loyalty, love, support, assistance, and intercession develops between them and the angels.
When a believer is loved by Allah, Jibreel and the angels of Allah also love him. The Prophet ﷺ said: “When Allah loves a servant, He calls Jibreel and says: ‘Indeed, Allah loves so-and-so, so love him.’ Then Jibreel loves him, and he announces among the inhabitants of the heavens: ‘Indeed, Allah loves so-and-so, so love him.’ So the inhabitants of the heavens love him, and acceptance is placed for him on the earth.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
The angels descend by the command of Allah to the earth, accompanying the people of faith—in their prayers, in their mosques, and in their remembrance of Allah. They ascend to Allah with the deeds of the believers and praise them in the presence of the Lord of the worlds. The Prophet ﷺ said: “No group gathers to remember Allah, the Almighty, except that the angels surround them.” [Muslim]
Some angels roam the pathways searching for gatherings of remembrance and obedience to Allah. When they find such gatherings, they envelop the people with their wings. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, Allah has angels who roam the roads, seeking out the people of remembrance. When they find a group remembering Allah, they call out to one another: ‘Come to what you have been seeking!’ They then encircle them with their wings up to the lowest heaven.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
On Fridays, the angels stand at the doors of the mosques, recording those who arrive early, one after another, and then listen to the sermon. The Prophet ﷺ said: “On the day of Friday, the angels stand at the doors of the mosques, recording the first to arrive and then the next. When the imam comes out, they roll up their scrolls and listen to the remembrance.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
Each morning, angels call out to the inhabitants of the earth, inviting them to Allah's pleasure and obedience. The Prophet ﷺ said: “No sun rises except that there are two angels beside it calling out, and their call is heard by all of creation except humans and jinn: ‘O people, hasten to your Lord, for what is little but sufficient is better than what is abundant and distracts.’” [Ahmad]
When a believer stands for Allah to uphold His religion, Allah sends angels to support, aid, and strengthen him. Have you not heard of the angels who fought alongside the believers in the Battle of Badr? Allah, the Protector, says:
إِذْ يُوحِي رَبُّكَ إِلَى الْمَلَائِكَةِ أَنِّي مَعَكُمْ فَثَبِّتُوا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا سَأُلْقِي فِي قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا الرُّعْبَ فَاضْرِبُوا فَوْقَ الْأَعْنَاقِ وَاضْرِبُوا مِنْهُمْ كُلَّ بَنَانٍ
“[Remember] when your Lord inspired to the angels, ‘I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved; so strike [them] upon the necks and strike from them every fingertip.’” [Al-Anfal: 12]
When a Muslim goes to the mosque to perform prayer, the angels supplicate for his forgiveness and mercy as long as he remains in his prayer place in a state of purity. They say: “O Allah, forgive him. O Allah, have mercy on him.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
If a believer's heart becomes attached to the mosques, making him one of its regular attendants, the angels become his companions and helpers. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, for the mosques are anchors, and their frequent visitors are accompanied by the angels. If they are absent, the angels miss them; if they are ill, the angels visit them; and if they are in need, the angels assist them.” [Ahmad]
If a Muslim visits his fellow Muslim who is ill, seventy thousand angels seek forgiveness for him. The Prophet ﷺ said: “When a man visits his Muslim brother, he walks amidst the gardens of Paradise until he sits. When he sits, mercy envelops him. If he visits in the morning, seventy thousand angels pray for him until the evening, and if he visits in the evening, seventy thousand angels pray for him until the morning.” [Ahmad]
When a believer sins and then repents to Allah, the carriers of the Throne and those around it seek forgiveness for him. Allah says:
الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَاتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ
“Those [angels] who carry the Throne and those around it exalt [Allah] with praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask forgiveness for those who have believed, [saying], ‘Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire.’” [Ghafir: 7]
This is the guardianship, love, support, and assistance of the angels for the believers. It continues throughout life until the moment of death, when they come to the believers, strengthening and bringing glad tidings, saying: “Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise.”
They come with white silk to shroud the believer and ascend with his pure soul to the heavens. The Prophet ﷺ said: “When the believer is nearing death, the angels of mercy come to him with a white silk cloth, saying, ‘Come out, content and pleasing, to the mercy of Allah, fragrance, and a Lord who is not angry.’ It [the soul] then comes out as the best scent of musk, and they pass it to one another.” [An-Nasai]
Then on the Day of Resurrection, the angels will meet them with glad tidings and peace, escorting them to the gates of Paradise. Allah says:
جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا وَمَنْ صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ يَدْخُلُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ بَابٍ * سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَى الدَّارِ
“[They will enter] the Gardens of Perpetual Residence, along with whoever was righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their descendants. And the angels will enter upon them from every gate, [saying], ‘Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final home.’” [Ar-Ra’d: 23-24]
May Allah bless me and you with the great Qur’an, and benefit us from its verses and wise reminders. I seek forgiveness from Allah for myself and for you, so seek His forgiveness, for He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
The Second Sermon
All praise is due to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, and companions, and all who follow him. To proceed:
O servants of Allah,
Belief in the angels is one of the pillars of faith, without which faith cannot be valid. Allah says:
آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ كُلٌّ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ
“The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers.” [Al-Baqarah: 285].
Whoever denies their existence, hates them, or opposes them has disbelieved in Allah, the Lord of the worlds, as the Jews do—may the curses of Allah be upon them. Allah says about them:
مَنْ كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِلَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَجِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَالَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَدُوٌّ لِلْكَافِرِينَ
“Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and His messengers and Jibreel and Mika’eel, then indeed, Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers.” [Al-Baqarah: 98].
The angels are the servants of Allah. They are not daughters of Allah, nor are they deities, as the deluded polytheists claim. Rather, they are as their Lord described them:
عِبَادٌ مُكْرَمُونَ * لَا يَسْبِقُونَهُ بِالْقَوْلِ وَهُمْ بِأَمْرِهِ يَعْمَلُونَ * يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يَشْفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ارْتَضَى وَهُمْ مِنْ خَشْيَتِهِ مُشْفِقُونَ
“Honored servants. They cannot precede Him in word, and they act by His command. He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves, and they, out of fear of Him, are apprehensive.” [Al-Anbiya: 26-28].
Allah also said:
وَلَا يَأْمُرَكُمْ أَنْ تَتَّخِذُوا الْمَلَائِكَةَ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ أَرْبَابًا أَيَأْمُرُكُمْ بِالْكُفْرِ بَعْدَ إِذْ أَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ
“Nor would He order you to take the angels and the prophets as lords. Would He order you to disbelief after you had been Muslims?” [Aal ‘Imran: 80].
May Allah make us among those whom the angels greet on the Day of Resurrection with: “Peace be upon you; you have done well, so enter it [Paradise], to abide eternally.”
O Allah, grant victory to Your oppressed servants in Gaza and every place. Relieve the distress of the afflicted believers and grant triumph to Your monotheistic servants over the criminal Zionists.
O Allah, grant us security in our homelands, rectify our leaders and those in authority over us, and make our leadership among those who fear You, follow Your commands, and seek Your pleasure.
Our Lord, grant us in this world good and in the Hereafter good, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
