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Some
scholars think that the word Malaika
is from the root a-l-k which means:
-to chew
-to act as a
messenger
-to convey
-to
communicate
There is no
doubt that 'to act as a messenger' is one of the functions
performed by Malaika [22:75]. But this is not their only
function as given in the Quran.
Some scholars
think that the word Malaika is from the root m-l-k,
which has the following meanings:
-to possess
-to own
-to have
power (to exercise command or authority)
-to have
dominion, sovereignty, ruling power
-to have
power, command, authority
A possible
definition of Malaika based upon the above meanings
is as follows:
Malaika
are entities whom Allah has empowered to exercise His
authority, commands, rules and laws in the universe OR
entities who possess power, given to them by Allah, to
execute or put into effect His Laws, Plans, programmes and
schemes in the universe.
Some consider
the 'entities' and 'the force' or 'the power' that these
entities possess as inseparable and they call Malaika
as 'the forces in the universe' or 'the universal forces'.
However, the Universal forces has distinct interpretation in
science. Science classifies universal forces as:
-Strong
nuclear forces
-Electromagnetic forces
-Weak nuclear
forces
-Gravitational forces
Some also
consider the 'entities' or 'laws' that these entities put
into effect inseparable. However, in the Quran Allah has
related Ar-Rooh with His Amr (17:85) but has
nowhere related malaika with His Amr (at least
according to my knowledge)
A possible
definition of Malaika based upon what the Quran says
about them is as follows:
Malaika
are the servants of (Almighty,) the Beneficent who obey Him
with humility and submissiveness (43:19) and never disobey
Him in what He commands them, and do as they are commanded
(66:6).
Various
verses of the Quran indicate multifarious role of
Malaika in this universe.
Malaika
are servants of Allah
43/19 And
they make the Malaika-- them who are the
servants of the Beneficent Allah-- female (divinities).
What! did they witness their creation? Their evidence shall
be written down and they shall be questioned.
Malaika
do what they are commanded
66/6 O you
who believe! save yourselves and your families from a fire
whose fuel are the commoners and the crafty ones alike; over
it are Malaika stern and strong, they do not
disobey Allah in what He commands them, and do as they are
commanded.
Malaika's
obeisance to Allah
16/49 And
whatever creature that is in the heavens and that is in the
earth makes obeisance to Allah (only), and Malaika
(too) and they do not show pride.
Malaika
as
Messengers of Allah
22/75 Allah
chooses messengers from among the Malaika and
from among the men; surely Allah is Hearing, Seeing.
35/1 All
Praise is due to Allah, the Originator of all Highs and
their Lows, Who appoints His Malaika as
message-bearers having wings two, three and four.
3/42 And when
the Malaika said: O Marium! surely Allah has
chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women
of of the world.
3/39 Then the
Malaika called to him as he stood praying in
the sanctuary: That Allah gives you the good news of Yahya
verifying a Word from Allah, and honourable and chaste and a
prophet from among the good ones.
3/45 When the
Malaika said: O Marium, surely Allah gives you
good news with a Word from Him (of one) whose name is the
'.Messiah, Isa son of Marium, worthy of regard in this world
and the hereafter and of those who are made near (to Allah).
16/2 He sends
down Malaika with the inspiration by His
commandment on whom He pleases of His servants, saying: Give
the warning that there is no god but Me, therefore be
careful (of your duty) to Me.
17/95 Say:
Had there been in the earth Malaika
walking about as settlers, We would certainly have sent down
to them from the heaven an angel as a messenger.
Malaika
strive to establish the glory of Allah and seek protection
for those on earth
13/13 And the
thunder strives to establish His glory , and Malaika
too, for awe of Him;
42/5 The
heavens may almost rend asunder from above them and
Malaika strive to establish the glory of their Lord
and seek protection for those on earth; now surely Allah is
the Forgiving, the Merciful.
Malaika
cause to die
16/28 Those
whom Malaika cause to die while they are
unjust to themselves. Then would they offer submission: We
used not to do any evil. Aye! surely Allah knows what you
did.
47/27 But how
will it be when Malaika cause them to die
smiting their backs.
4/97 Surely
(as for) those whom Malaika cause to die while
they are unjust to their souls, they shall say: In what
state were you? They shall say: We were weak in the earth.
They shall say: Was not Allah's earth spacious, so that you
should have migrated therein? So these it is whose abode is
hell, and it is an evil resort
8/50 And had
you seen when Malaika will cause to die those
who disbelieve, smiting their faces and their backs, and
(saying): Taste the punishment of burning.
16/32 Those
whom Malaika cause to die in a good state,
saying: Peace be on you: enter the garden for what you did.
Malaika
in
the Hereafter
21/103 The
great fearful event shall not grieve them, and Malaika
shall meet them: This is your day which you were promised.
25/22 On the
day when they shall see Malaika, there shall
be no joy on that day for the guilty, and they shall say:
Itis a forbidden thing totally prohibited.
39/75 And
Malaika will be surrounding Allah’s seat
of authority and will be active in making His system of
Rabubiyyat worthy of all Hamd and appreciation.
At that time all human affairs will be decided with
(perfect) justice and Allah's universal order of
Rabubiyyat will come into force in such an outstanding
manner that everyone will spontaneously cry out, "Most
certainly all 'Hamd' is for Allah the
Almighty, Who is the sustainer and Rabb of all the
worlds!"
Descending
of Malaika upon the believers
41/30 (As
for) those who say: Our Lord is Allah, then continue in the
right way, Malaika descend upon them, saying:
Fear not, nor be grieved, and receive good news of the
garden which you were promised.
Malaika's
help to the believers in this world
3/124 When
you said to the believers: Does it not suffice you that your
Lord should assist you with three thousand of Malaika
sent down?
3/125 Yea! if
you remain patient and are on your guard, and they come upon
you in a headlong manner, your Lord will assist you with
five thousand of the havoc-making Malaika.
8/9 When you
sought aid from your Lord, so He answered you: I will assist
you with a thousand of Malaika following one
another.
8/12 When
your Lord revealed to Malaika: I am with you,
therefore make firm those who believe. I will cast terror
into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike
off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.
Deprivation of (the help) of Malaika
2/161 Surely
those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers,
these it is who will be deprived of the beneficence of Allah
and the support of Malaika and men all;
3/87 (As for)
these, their recompense is that they will be deprived of the
grace of Allah and the support of Malaika and
of men, all together.
Malaika
as keepers of the fire
74/31 And We
have not made the keepers of the fire others than
Malaika,
Go to Part 2 of this article
02-06-2004
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