Discussion of the two angels assigned to recording the deeds of the children of Adam
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The Shaykh : These are among the angels. As for their duties, we know that Allah has angels assigned to the deeds of man, recording them. Allah the Mighty and Majestic said: [Al-Infitar 82:9-12] And He the Exalted and Majestic said: [Qaf 50:16-18] O Allah, preserve us. Whatever word he speaks, it is with Him , meaning a watcher , present, not leaving him. These are two angels assigned to preserving the servant's deeds. [Qaf 50:18] Who counts the words he utters with his tongue? Who? Say it, everyone.
The student: Allah
The Shaykh : Allah, without doubt, is a Witness over everything. I am asking: who counts, which one of you counts his words?
The student: No one.
The Shaykh : No one. So, great are the words. This is indicated by the fact that if you sit and deliver a lecture, and then it is transcribed from the recording to paper, you will find that the lecture which took an hour of time comes out as many pages, many pages. So you do not utter a word except that it is written. It is mentioned that Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) fell ill, and some of his companions entered upon him while he was groaning from the illness. He said, "O Abu 'Abd Allah, Tawus, who is one of the scholars and jurists of the Tabi'un, says: 'The groaning of the sick person is written.'" Allahu Akbar. The groaning of the sick person is written, because the groaning is a word. So Abu 'Abd Allah, Imam Ahmad, held back. He held back from groaning for fear that it would be written against him. And this is the height of scrupulousness. So there are angels whose deeds we know: they are assigned to recording the verbal deeds of the servant, and the second is the physical deeds.
(9) No! But you deny the Recompense. (10) And indeed, [appointed] over you are keepers, (11) Noble and recording; (12) They know whatever you do.
كلا بل تكذبون بالدين وإن عليكم لحافظين كراماً كاتبين يعلمون ما تفعلون(16) And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein (17) When the two receivers receive, seated on the right and on the left. (18) Man does not utter any word except that with him is an observer prepared [to record].
ولقد خلقنا الإنسان ونعلم ما توسوس به نفسُه ونحن أقرب إليه من حبل الوريد إذ يتلقى المتلقيان عن اليمين وعن الشمال قعيد ما يَلفظ من قول إلا لديه رقيب عتيدA watcher
رقيبA ready one
عتيدMan does not utter any word
ما يلفظ من قولThe student: Allah
The Shaykh : Allah, without doubt, is a Witness over everything. I am asking: who counts, which one of you counts his words?
The student: No one.
The Shaykh : No one. So, great are the words. This is indicated by the fact that if you sit and deliver a lecture, and then it is transcribed from the recording to paper, you will find that the lecture which took an hour of time comes out as many pages, many pages. So you do not utter a word except that it is written. It is mentioned that Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) fell ill, and some of his companions entered upon him while he was groaning from the illness. He said, "O Abu 'Abd Allah, Tawus, who is one of the scholars and jurists of the Tabi'un, says: 'The groaning of the sick person is written.'" Allahu Akbar. The groaning of the sick person is written, because the groaning is a word. So Abu 'Abd Allah, Imam Ahmad, held back. He held back from groaning for fear that it would be written against him. And this is the height of scrupulousness. So there are angels whose deeds we know: they are assigned to recording the verbal deeds of the servant, and the second is the physical deeds.