Discussion of Malik, the Keeper of the Fire
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The Shaykh : And among those whose names we have been taught is an angel who is in charge
The student: Malik, the Keeper of the Fire
The Shaykh : Well done. The angel in charge of the Fire is Malik. Allah the Exalted mentioned him in the Noble Qur'an in His saying: And they said, meaning the people of the Fire,[Az-Zukhruf 43:77] Look, [Az-Zukhruf 43:77] meaning, why should He destroy us? When they saw the severity of the punishment, and as if, due to their disgrace and humiliation, they were too ashamed to call upon Allah themselves. For when they called upon Allah, [Al-Mu'minun 23:107] what did Allah say to them? He said: [Al-Mu'minun 23:108] So they asked Malik to be an intercessor for them with Allah, and they said: [Az-Zukhruf 43:77] There is no way out. And more than that, they said, meaning the people of the Fire, to the keepers of Hell: [Ghafir 40:49] When they despaired of going out, they despaired of being killed so that they would die. [Ghafir 40:49] Allah is the Greatest. They did not say, "Lighten the punishment for us" or "Cut off the punishment from us," but rather they said, "Lighten it for us for just one day." And what did the angels say to them? [Ghafir 40:50] Allah the Exalted said: [Ar-Ra'd 13:14] O Allah, save us from the Fire. O Allah, save us from the Fire. O Allah, save us from the Fire. O Allah, we are in this world in a time of respite and ability, so guide us to a deed by which we will be saved from the Fire. The Fire of Hell is more scorching. When it was said to the hypocrites to go out for jihad in the Battle of Tabuk, some of them said to others, "Do not go out in the heat." So Allah the Exalted said to His Prophet: [At-Tawbah 9:81]
So we have learned from the names of the angels the name of Malik, who is in charge of the Fire. We have also learned other names of the angels.
The student: Malik, the Keeper of the Fire
The Shaykh : Well done. The angel in charge of the Fire is Malik. Allah the Exalted mentioned him in the Noble Qur'an in His saying: And they said, meaning the people of the Fire,
O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us!
يا مالك ليقضِ علينا ربكAnd they will call, "O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us!"
ونادوا يا مالك ليقض علينا ربكOur Lord, remove us from it, and if we were to return [to evil], we would indeed be wrongdoers."
وقالوا ربنا أخرجنا منها فإن عدنا فإنا ظالمونHe will say, "Remain despised therein and do not speak to Me.
اخسئوا فيها ولا تكلمونAnd they will call, "O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us!" He will say, "Indeed, you will remain."
ونادوا يا مالك ليقض علينا ربك قال إنكم ماكثونSupplicate your Lord to lighten for us a day from the punishment."
ادعوا ربكم يخفف عنا يوماً من العذابSupplicate your Lord to lighten for us a day from the punishment."
قالوا ادعوا ربكم يخفف عنا يوماً من العذابThey will say, "Did there not come to you your messengers with clear proofs?" They will say, "Yes." They will reply, "Then supplicate
قالوا أولم تك تأتيكم رسلكم بالبينات قالوا بلى قالوا فادعواAnd the supplication of the disbelievers is not but in error [i.e. futility].
وما دعاء الكافرين إلا في ضلالSay, "The fire of Hell is more intensive in heat"
قل نار جهنم أشد حراًSo we have learned from the names of the angels the name of Malik, who is in charge of the Fire. We have also learned other names of the angels.