Verse 286 of Surah Al-Baqarah, akin to a radiant gem within the constellation of Quranic knowledge, delineates the faith of the Messenger and the believers in God, angels, heavenly scriptures, and divine messengers. This verse, holding a central position in explicating the epistemic system of faith, situates the angels at an exalted rankafter belief in God yet prior to scriptures and messengersemphasising their ontological and epistemological grandeur. Angels, as divine agents and administrators of the cosmos, assume an unparalleled role in governing the existential order, ranging from escorting the Lord to distributing blessings, sustenance, and even cursing and torment.
This treatise, relying on the four tiers of faith, affirmation, divine grace, and utilisation of angels, undertakes an analytical exploration of the verse within a scientific and mystical framework, whilst assessing the responsibility of religious academic systems in deepening angelic knowledge and reforming educational approaches. Employing refined metaphors and allegories, this text endeavours to present profound Quranic concepts in an academic and engaging manner for specialist audiences.
آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۚ كُلٌّ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ
The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and so have the believers. All of them have believed in God, His angels, His books, and His messengers.
This verse, with a coherent structure, portrays the faith of the Messenger and the believers in four fundamental pillarsGod, angels, scriptures, and messengers. The phrase وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ, featuring the conjunction و for emphasis, the definite article ال for inclusivity, and the term كل for comprehensiveness, signifies the universality and collective nature of the believers. This structure considers faith not as an individual and isolated affair but as a social and communal flow.
Key point: Angels are mentioned in the verse after God and before scriptures and messengers, indicating their ontological and epistemological magnitude within the faith system. Belief in angels surpasses belief in scriptures and messengers and even precedes eschatological matters.
The precedence of angels over scriptures and messengers, like a firm pillar in the edifice of faith, emphasises their central role in the cosmic system. Angels, as divine intermediaries, form the bridge connecting the Absolute Truth and creation, performing unique functions in managing the universe, from distributing sustenance to executing divine ordinances.
Key point: Angels are referenced more than ninety times in the Holy Quran and thousands of times in traditions, possessing over three to four hundred specialised duties, ranging from escorting the Lord to managing cosmic causes, from blessings and sustenance to cursing and torment.
Angels, like grand governmental agents, constitute the divine administration active in all realms of existence, from this world to the hereafter, from paradise to hell. This variety of dutiesfrom soul extraction to announcing glad tidings to the saintsdemonstrates the comprehensiveness and complexity of the angelic system. For instance, the Quranic verse states:
فَنَادَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي فِي الْمِحْرَابِ
The angels called to him while he was standing in prayer in the sanctuary.
This verse depicts the call to Zechariah (peace be upon him) during worship, illustrating the direct connection of angels with the friends of God.
Key point: The universe is based on a system of causes, and angels, as wise administrators, govern these causes. Without angels, the cycle of existence would be disrupted.
Angels, as engineers of the creation system, organise sustenance, blessings, torment, and curses. This role indicates divine order and stability in managing the cosmos. Any notion of God or angels acting whimsically is erroneous, as the universe is founded upon a solid and established system.
Key point: Faith in angels is a necessary condition of faith, and denial thereof equates to disbelief in the Almighty. This faith is obligatory for every Muslim, even without precise knowledge.
Conceptual faith is like a seed planted in the heart of every believer, from illiterate to literate, from urban to rural. This level constitutes the minimal obligatory faith without which the vessel of faith is broken.
Key point: Affirmation of angels requires a precise conception of them. Affirmation without conception is impossible, and this level is exclusive to scholars and specialists who engage in deep understanding of angels.
Affirmation serves as a bridge guiding from conceptual faith to certainty. Faith may be superficial or accompanied by conjecture, but affirmation is the confirmation of truth and certainty. This level requires precise knowledge of angels as administrators of the universe, a responsibility borne by religious academic systems.
Key point: Divine grace upon angels and angelic grace upon existence highlight their pivotal role in cosmic administration. This grace makes life and cosmic order possible.
Angels, as gardeners of existence, by divine grace, bestow sustenance, blessings, and order upon the world. This level emphasises the dependence of existence on angels, demonstrating that without them, life and cosmic order would be disrupted.
Key point: The saints and godly scholars, through interaction and discourse with angels, enlist them in service and direct them towards fulfilling divine objectives.
This level represents the pinnacle of knowledge and mysticism, positioning the saints as governors of the angels. Through companionship and dialogue with angels, they guide the cosmic system along the divine path. This role is specific to pious believers and religious academic systems.
Key point: Religious academic systems must pursue angelic knowledge, affirmation, and utilisation. Sole focus on sermons and prayers is insufficient, and divine sciences must replace obsolete texts.
Religious academic systems, as bearers of knowledges torch, are obliged to promote divine sciences such as angelic knowledge. Concentration on routine activities like sermons and prayers, which are learned in a short period, cannot fulfil the core mission of these systems. Antiquated texts, such as Kifayah, outdated due to their complex and inefficient linguistic structure, must be replaced with modern divine sciences.
Key point: Students lifetimes are wasted studying obsolete texts. Religious academic systems must bring about a fundamental transformation focusing on divine sciences and angelic knowledge.
Studying religious sciences, unlike worldly sciences which can culminate in a doctorate within a few years, may take decades. This difference indicates the depth and gravity of divine sciences; however, unnecessary suspensions and focus on obsolete texts hinder the fulfilment of this mission. Religious academic systems must accomplish their mission by promoting angelic knowledge and validating religious epistemologies in the world.
إِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَاكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ
When the angels said: O Mary, indeed God has chosen you and purified you.
This verse reveals the angels glad tidings to Mary (peace be upon her), demonstrating the guiding role of angels with regard to the friends of God.
أَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَكُمْ أَنْ يُمِدَّكُمْ رَبُّكُمْ بِثَلَاثَةِ آلَافٍ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ مُنْزَلِينَ
Was it not sufficient for you that your Lord reinforced you with three thousand angels sent down?
This verse illustrates the aid of angels to the believers, emphasising divine support through angels.
Traditions mention thousands of titles for angels, from mercy and intercession to torment and soul extraction, underscoring their diversity and specialisation. For example, a tradition states: "The angels are severe and strong; they do not disobey God in what He commands them, and they do what they are commanded." This tradition highlights the authority and obedience of angels.
Verse 286 of Surah Al-Baqarah, like a blazing torch, illuminates the path of knowledge and faith. Angels, as cosmic administrators and divine agents, play a pivotal role in the system of existence and faith through four levels: faith, affirmation, grace, and utilisation. Conceptual faith represents the minimal obligation for every believer; however, affirmation, grace, and the employment of angels constitute the mission of religious academic systems and godly scholars. Critiques of deficiencies within religious educational systemsfrom overemphasis on obsolete texts to unnecessary suspensionsunderscore the necessity for reform. Quranic and traditional evidences, from the call to Zechariah and Mary to the aid granted to believers and the torment of disbelievers, provide compelling documentation of the angels role. Religious academic systems must fulfil their mission by promoting divine sciences, engaging in angelic interaction, and substantiating religious knowledge globally, thereby paving the way for spiritual and scholarly advancement.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
