In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

By Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen may Allah have mercy on him

The Shaykh mentions this point of benefit in his explanation of “Aqeedatul Wasatiyyah” under Ibn Taymiyyah’s statement, “…and it is to believe in Allah and His angels…”

The angels are an unseen creation that were created by Allah from light. Allah made them to be obedient and submissive to Him, and each of them are in charge of [different] affairs. We know from their jobs are:

First: Jibreel. He is in charge of revelation. He descends with revelation from Allah [and reveals it] to the messengers.

Second: Israafeel. He is in charge of blowing the trumpet, and he is also one of the angels who are holding the Throne [‘Arsh].

Third: Mikaa’eel. He is in charge of the rain and vegetation.

All of these three angels are in charge of giving [some aspect] of life. Jibreel is in charge of revelation and in that is giving life to the hearts. Mikaa’eel is in charge of rain and vegetation and in that is giving life to the earth. And Israafeel is in charge of blowing the horn that gives life to the bodies on the Day of Resurrection. Because of this the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, besought Allah’s Lordship of these angels in the beginning supplication opening the night prayer. He would say,

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ جِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ وَإِسْرَافِيلَ فَاطِرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ أَنْتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي لِمَا اخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ إِنَّكَ تَهْدِي مَنْ تَشَاءُ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ ‏

“O Allah, Lord of Jibreel, Mikaa’eel and Israafeel, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, You judge between Your slaves concerning wherein they differ. O Allah, guide me to the disputed matters of truth for You are the One Who guides to the Straight Path.” (an-Nisaa’i)

This is the supplication he would say in his night prayers beseeching Allah’s Lordship of these angels.

Translated by: Abu Awzaa’ee AbdusSalaam

الفقير الى الله