The Reality of Seeing the Angels in This World
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
Since the angels descend upon the righteous on earth and say to them: [Surah al-Zukhruf: 68], without anyone seeing them except the one upon whom they descended?
Answer:
We have not heard of this, but a believer may see them, just as the believers saw Jibril when he came to ask the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the form of a Bedouin man, in the form of Dhihyyah ibn Khalifah al-Kilabi. The believers may see the angel when he descends upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and some of them may see him. This is not impossible; the believers and others may see him. But after the death of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), this is not known by evidence. The one who thinks that what he sees is an angel may be mistaken; it may be other than the angels, it may be a human, or it may be a jinn.
So the conclusion : The point is that there is no clear evidence that the angels descend upon anyone, or walk with anyone, or address anyone, except by established evidence from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). As for during the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the life of the prophets, the angels may be seen when they descend, address the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and bring him the revelation, just as the Muslims saw Jibril when he descended and asked the Prophet about Islam, faith, and excellence in worship, while the people were looking. He said:Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 24:120 And he came in other times as well. Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas saw two angels to the right and left of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) fighting for him on the day of Uhud.
The intention is that this may occur during the time of the prophets. As for after the departure of the prophets and the death of the prophets, even if this may occur—meaning they descend—ruling that this is an angel and that is not an angel requires evidence. Otherwise, they do descend; angels succeed one another among us by night and day, and they gather in the Fajr prayer and the 'Asr prayer, then they return to Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He). This is a reality that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explained. But for a person to know them, or stand upon them, or for them to greet him, or the like, requires evidence.
Question: Now, what is the meaning of the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Surah Fussilat: 30]?
Answer: It means at the time of the soul's departure; it is not necessary that they see them.
Since the angels descend upon the righteous on earth and say to them:
[To whom Allah will say], "O My servants, no fear will there be concerning you this Day, nor will you grieve,
يَا عِبَادِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ وَلَا أَنْتُمْ تَحْزَنُونَAnswer:
We have not heard of this, but a believer may see them, just as the believers saw Jibril when he came to ask the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the form of a Bedouin man, in the form of Dhihyyah ibn Khalifah al-Kilabi. The believers may see the angel when he descends upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and some of them may see him. This is not impossible; the believers and others may see him. But after the death of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), this is not known by evidence. The one who thinks that what he sees is an angel may be mistaken; it may be other than the angels, it may be a human, or it may be a jinn.
So the conclusion : The point is that there is no clear evidence that the angels descend upon anyone, or walk with anyone, or address anyone, except by established evidence from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). As for during the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the life of the prophets, the angels may be seen when they descend, address the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and bring him the revelation, just as the Muslims saw Jibril when he descended and asked the Prophet about Islam, faith, and excellence in worship, while the people were looking. He said:
This is Jibril who has come to you to teach you your religion.
هذا جبريل أتاكم يعلمكم دينكمThe intention is that this may occur during the time of the prophets. As for after the departure of the prophets and the death of the prophets, even if this may occur—meaning they descend—ruling that this is an angel and that is not an angel requires evidence. Otherwise, they do descend; angels succeed one another among us by night and day, and they gather in the Fajr prayer and the 'Asr prayer, then they return to Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He). This is a reality that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explained. But for a person to know them, or stand upon them, or for them to greet him, or the like, requires evidence.
Question: Now, what is the meaning of the saying of Allah the Exalted:
the angels will descend upon them, [saying], "Do not fear and do not grieve
تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُواAnswer: It means at the time of the soul's departure; it is not necessary that they see them.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.