Not much to report. I had a test so I have no history notes or anything today.
In tafseer we discussed Surah Naza'at 79. We spent pretty much all of class talking about the place of the angels in existence and what they do for God. Its funny, most of the ideas the Qur'an has about angels is in Christianity too. Sr. A kept asking me if Christians had this idea (guardian angels, Gabriel, Azarael etc) and I would say yes they have these concepts too. Angels have a huge legacy in Christianity, it was very interesting to hear the Qur'an speak of them. They are basically those that are created to only serve Allah, that they must in fact obey and carry out Allah's commands. There are angels for everything and if a person is a firm believer in God and does good deeds they will have a special one looking out for them (guardian angel).
Then we had prayer and Br. Bil talked about how we should always repent for our sins and praise God for His blessings upon us.
Then test, then home.
Sorry I'm not in a writing mood. Back is mad again.
Salaam
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As far as I know, the Bible teaches that every true believer has at least one angel looking out for them at all times. So it's not a matter of luck - just a matter of faith.
ReplyDeleteWell yeah thats what I meant. I just used a different word.
ReplyDeleteI thought that each person had two angels with them all the time; one is on our right shoulder writing down our good deeds, and one is on our left shoulder writing down our bad deeds. When we say the final salaams at the end of salah, we are actually saying salaam to these angels. Is this what Shi'as believe as well? I've also never heard of a "guardian angel" concept in Islam. Do you have any more information about that?
ReplyDeleteActually, when I first heard about Islam (in sixth grade), one of the things that struck me was that the Qur'an was revealed to Muhammad (saw) through the angel Gabriel. I was like, "hey, that's the same angel who talked to Mary! Maybe Christianity and Islam are more similar than I thought!" :D
Also, I apologize for always asking "Is this what Shi'as believe?" Unfortunately my knowledge of the Shi'a school is extremely lacking, and I really ought to fix that soon Insha'Allah.
ReplyDeleteAnne: Yes actually you have your two angels who write everything down for you in your life and then you can also have one guardian angel. I have heard of Christians speak of the two angels before as well but I do not think that is as big of a concept as everyone having a gardian angel. In Islam, your guardian angel is the one that prays for you and comes to help you.
ReplyDeleteI did the same thing! You have no idea how excited I was when I realized Islam still had the angels and Gabriel was one of them. He is my favorite.
Ask away. Its ok, I understand. If it has to do with the Qur'an it will most likely be the same. The differences really lie in practice and a couple of concepts. And of course the Imams. If you want to learn more go to al-islam.org
I personally have a deep love for angels. Kind of an obsession, I'll admit. Might also explain my...let's go with deep interest in demons - they're fallen angels after all.
ReplyDeleteSo, is it true that angels are seen as having no free will in Islam? They're just sort of divine robots? Like the Centurian Cylons? (I'm not being funny, that's the best descriptive I could think of.)
'There are angels for everything and if a person is very lucky they will have a special one looking out for them (guardian angel).'
I actually had the same issue caraboska did. I think it's just a matter of the phrase you used. It reads, to me, like you're saying if a person is lucky they get a guardian angel. I get from your follow up that that's not what you're saying, I just wanted to say I understand where the confusion came from. :)
Amber: Well not everyone gets a guardian angel, you have to be a good person who worships God. Only then do you get the privilage of having one.
ReplyDeleteIll change the wording.
Well we discussed that. Angels have imagination and intellect but not free will in the sense that we do. They cannot chose whether or not to serve God. They must serve God. But they still have personalities, relationships with others etc. So yeah I guess they don't really have free will in the sense that we do because they MUST serve God where we Choose to serve God. In Islam, Lucifer is able to deny God because he is a Jinn which is sorta like a demon made of fire. Some are good, some are not. But they seem to have free will where angels do not necessarily. I have a large amount of notes from this class I will try to post them tonight since you all are so very interested.
I also recommend the "Dictionary of Angels" its fabulous.
Huh. That's different. Of course, I believe that everyone has a guardian angel. Good or bad - it's like a standard feature that comes with life.
ReplyDelete*reads* That's what I thought Islam taught. I knew the whole, 'Iblis wasn't an angel' thing. Of course that entire set up is different in Christianity as well. It was explained to me once like...angels can make choices, but once they decide on a path, they can't/don't change their minds.
I have the 'Dictionary of Angels'. Excellent reference.
Amber: Hmmm that could work too. Like, once they find their path they are committed to it forever. That is similar. I think Islam just didn't want Iblis to be an angel because that meant there could be other evil angels. I think its attempting to make a separation between the two. Although, they could match up as Lucifer becomes king of the demons and demons are often associated with Jinns. So maybe they are linked somehow?
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that book :)
I was under the impression that demons, in Islam were just jinns who weren't Muslim. So they run around and wreak havoc where ever they can. So, I say demon, a Muslim would say it was an evil jinn. But then there are good jinn too...those that are Muslim, of course. Christians just accept that there are other evil angels - 1/3 of heaven followed Lucifer's rebellion - but that only works if you don't believe that angels are automatons.
ReplyDeleteAmber: I have never heard of Jinns or angels being "muslim". That term seems to only apply to people. They will say that the good Jinns are those that submit to God and the bad ones do not. Since that is what the word muslim means I suppose you could say that.
ReplyDeleteIm not sure about the war in heaven in terms of Islam. Michael is mentioned as a warrior so maybe they have this idea as well? I'm not sure but I can try and ask my teacher or check around. In Islam, angels do not have any choice but to follow God's will.
I wish I could remember where I heard that from. I just remember being informed that jinn, since they had free will like humans, could choose to be Muslim or Shaitaan. *shrug* And a good, Muslim jinn would be helpful to good, Muslim peope, while the Shaitaan jinn would do everything they could to mess you up.
ReplyDeletemakes sense LOL
ReplyDeleteIf you like Jinns pick up Ciaro by G. Willow Wilson. Amazing short graphic novel
ReplyDeleteOooh nice topic!
ReplyDeleteI think angels do have free will at some level..just that they also have a lot of intellect (more than us) so they choose the path of Allah SWT much more firmly than us, altho we humans have the potential and capacity to be actually *better* than Angels...
i say they have some sorts free will cuz of this verse where Allah says to the angels, "And submit to Us willingly or unwillingly, they (Angels) replied, We submit to thee willingly..." Not verbatim and i dont know the reference :P
Maybe i just complicated it further! LOL
Also, to know correct info abt Jinns, i suggest reading the Tafsir of Al-Mizan (Allama Tabatabai) of Surah Jinn! might just be helpful!