I shall not make him who has been fashioned by My Power, and in whom I have bequeathed the spirit and then Commanded, “Be!” and he became.  

From this Hadith, one important fact emerges. While the creation of man was effected through a gradual and systematic process, namely, the stage of dust, which was then shaped into a human form, and finally, the bequeathing of the soul in him. Looking at it from another angle, first the stage of sperm, then a speck of blood which changed to a piece of meat, then the formation of limbs, which then took human shape, and finally, the soul been bequeathed.
 
Angels, on the other hand, are created by the Supreme Command “Be” and they become, or they come into existence.
 
1.2 Sayyeduna Rasoolullah (peace be upon him) has stated:

 

Angels are created from light. The Jinn’s from fire containing smoke, and Sayyeduna Nabi Adam ( Alehis salam ) from that already mentioned to you.

(Namely black, white and red sand according to Sayyeduna Ibne- Sa’ad (Radi Allah Unho) who narrates from Sayyeduna Abu-Zar (Radi Allah unho), who narrates from Sayyeduna Rasoolullah (peace be upon him). Imam Ahmed bin Hambal (Radi Allah Unho), and Imam Muslim (Radi Allah Unho), narrate from Ummul-Mo’mineen Sayyadah Ayesha Siddiqah (Radi Allah Unha ).

1.3 Sayyeduna Imam Abdur-Raz’zaq ( Radi Allah Unho ), (Ustaaz of Imam Bukhari) in his Musannaf narrates another Hadith Shareef from Sayyeduna Jabir bin Abdullah ( Radi Allah Unho ), in which Sayyeduna Rasoolullah (Peace be upon him) is reported to have stated:

O Jabir! Most certainly Almighty Allah Created the Noor (Light) of your Nabi before anything else. Then, when He decided to create the world, He divided the Noor (Light) of your Nabi into four portions. From the first portion, He created the Qalam of destiny, from the second, the Lohe-Mahfooz, from the third, the Divine portions. From the first portion, He created those Angels who are the bearers of the Arsh, from the second, the Divine Chair and from the third, the rest of the Angels.

1.4 Allama Faasi (Radi Allah Unho), in his book “Mutaali-ul-Musarrat” under the discussion of Dala’il has recorded the following Hadith from Imam Ash’ari (Radi Allah Unho), who narrates,

Verily, the Almighty Allah is an Incomparable Light, the soul of Sayyeduna Rasoolullah (Peace be Upon Him) is the splendid glow of that light. Almighty Allah first created my Noor (light) and from this Noor He created everything else.

1.5 Sayyeduna Abu Sheikh (Radi Allah Unho), narrates the following Hadith from Sayyeduna Akramah (Radi Allah Unho), who reports that Sayyeduna Rasoolullah (Peace be upon him) has stated:

Most certainly, Angels are created from the Divine Noor (light) of Almighty Allah.

1.6 It is also narrated by Sayyeduna Yazeed bin Romaan (Radi Allah Unho), that he received the following information:

Indeed the Angels are created from Divinely Blessed light.

I (Imam Ahmed Raza) say that a commentary of Imam Badruddin Mahmood Ai’nee (Radi Allah Unho), of a similar Hadith is found in his book Umdatul Qaari Sharah Sahi-ul-Bukhari (Radi Allah Unho), carrying an interesting observation of Sayyeduna Ali (Radi Allah Unho) where in he mentions:

There is an Angel named Rooh, who has seventy thousand heads, Each head has seventy thousand faces, and face contains seventy thousand mouths. Each mouth is made up of seventy thousand tongues and each tongue is blessed with seventy thousand tongues and each tongue is blessed with seventy thousand languages.


 
“By means of these languages, this Angel is constantly reciting the Tasbeeh of Almighty Allah. From each Tasbeeh, one Angel is being Created. This angel soars into the Heavens with the rest of the three Angels until the Day of Judgment”. (i.e. the number of different languages in which the Angels Glorify Almighty Allah will be 1 680 700 000 000 000 000 000 000)

All Praise is due to Almighty Allah Who is Infinite and so are His Attributes and Glory!

1.7 Sayyeduna Tha’alb (Radi Allah Unho), has reported a Hadith from Sayyeduna Abdullah ibne Mas’ood (Radi Allah Unho), who mentions that the Beloved Habeeb (Peace be upon him) has stated:

“There is an Angel named Rooh who is of greater magnitude than the Heavens and the Earth, as well as the mountains and the other Angels. Its station is the Fourth Sky”.

Daily, he recites twelve thousand Tasbeeh. From each Tasbeeh, one Angel is created.
On the Day of Judgment, this Angel will form one complete row himself, while the
 rest of the Angels will form another row.

Referring to this Hadith, several Scholars have made interesting comments. Imam Al Baghawi (Radi Allah Unho) in his book Al-Mua'allim quotes that the verse, “Rooh and the other Angels will stand in rows on the Day of Judgment”, refers to the above Hadith. Imam Badruddin Mahmood Ai'nee (Radi Allah Unho) in his book Umdatul Qari Sharah Sahi-ul-Bukhari says that the verse, “And they shall question you regarding Rooh” refers to this Hadith.

In the book Mawahib-ul-Ladunnia, Imam Ibne Hajr Qastalani (Radi Allah Unho) states : “There is a celestial world found in the Heaven (made from water and smoke), wherein are Angles created from water and air. The leader of these Angels is Ra’ad, who is responsible for the clouds and rain”.

1.8 Sheikh Akber Muhiuddin ibne arabi (Radi Allah Unho), states in his book Al Futuhaate Makkiyah (Radi Allah Unho), that :   “Almighty Allah first sparked a bright refulgence from light. Then, He created darkness. On the darkness, the image of this light shone, which revealed the light of the morning, but included the darkness of the night, Almighty Allah Created those Angels which are found within the precincts of the Divine Throne (Arsh) and the Divine Chair (Kursi). These Angels also reflect the material of the Divine Chair.”

The above is recorded by Sheikh-e-Akbar (Radi Allah Unho), in the thirteenth chapter of Futahaate-Makkiyah and also quoted by Imam Abdul-Wah’ab Sharani (Radi Allah Unho), in his Al-Yuwaqeet-wal-Jawahir.

1.9  Sayyeduna Abu Saeed (Radi Allah Unho) narrates the following Hadith of Sayyeduna Rasoolullah (Peace be upon him) in which he has stated:

Verily, there is a river in Heaven, in which whenever Jibra'il ( Alehis salam ) submerges his wings and shakes it, small droplets of water drip from it. From each droplet, an Angel is created.

Indeed, one cannot estimate the droplets of water that drips from the wing of Sayyeduna Jibra'il (Alehis salam ). Why, simply because Sayyeduna Jibra'il (Alehis salam ) has six hundred wings and each wings is so huge that when he spreads it, it casts a shadow over the entire sky.

1.10 It has been reported from Sayyeduna ibne Abi Hatim Imam Aqueeli (Radi Allah Unho), and Sayyeduna Abu Hurairah (Radi Allah Unho), that Sayyeduna Rasoolullah (Peace be upon him) has stated:

In the fourth Heaven, there is a river called Haywaan (River of Life). Each day Jibra'il ( Alehis salam) dips in it and shakes his wings letting of seventy thousand drops. From each of these droplets Almighty Allah Creates one Angel, These Angels are commanded to perform Salah, they come out from the Bait-ul- Ma’moor never to return . One Angel from this groups is appointed their leader and he is delegated
the duty of taking these angels to one spot in the Heaven where they will stand reciting the Tasbeeh of Almighty Allah till the Day of Judgment.

1.11  Imam Ata Imam Maqaatil (Radi Allah Unho), and Imam Dhahaq (Radi Allah Unho), report a Hadith as narrated By Sayyeduna Abdullah ibne Abbas (Radi Allah Unho), in which Sayyeduna Rasoolullah (Peace be upon him) has stated :

On the right-hand side of the Divine Throne is found a River of Light, which in magnitude is equal to the seven Heavens, the seven crusts of the earth and the seven oceans. In it Jibra'il (Alehis salam) bathes each morning, where by his brightness and beauty is constantly increased. When Jibra'il ( Alehis salam ) comes out of this water, he flutters his wings. From each drop that fall from his wings, a thousand Angels
are created and from these multitude of Angels seventy thousand are commanded to enter the Bait-ul-Ma’moor, none of whom will get another chance to enter this illustrious place until the Day of Judgment.

In the above Hadith Shareef, Imam Fakruddin Raazi (Radi Allah Unho), has quoted a Hadith in his treatise Tafseer in support of the commentary of the verse: “And He creates that which you will not perceive."

1.12 Imam Abu-Naeem (Radi Allah Unho), Imam Khateem Ibne Asakar (Radi Allah Unho), and Imam Bahiqi (Radi Allah Unho), narrate in Kitabur-Roh’ya that Imam ibne Hajr (Radi Allah Unho), Ali bin Abi Urtahtah (Radi Allah Unho), reports a Hadith that has been narrated by several Shaba, in which Sayyeduna Rasoolullah (Peace be upon him) has stated:

There are some Angel Almighty Allah who every limb Trembles from the constant fear of Almighty Allah Whichever of these Angels shads a tear, it is immediately transformed into an Angel before that tear can
even reach the ground.

1.13 It has been reported that Sayyeduna Abush Sheikh (Radi Allah Unho), narrates from Sayyeduna Ka’ab-ul-Ahbaar (Radi Allah Unho) that:

Whichever of these Angels sheds a tear, it change Into an Angel and  flies away with the Fear of Almighty Allah.

1.14 Imam ibne Bashk’waal (Radi Allah Unho), reports a Hadith from Sayyeduna Anas (Radi Allah Unho), in which Sayyeduna Rasoolullah (Peace be upon him) has stated:

Whosoever sends a Darood Shareef upon me with the intention of honoring me, Almighty Allah will transform that Darood Shareef ( Salawat ) into an Angel, whose one wing spreads to the East and one to the West. Almighty Allah commands this Angel: “O My Angel! Send Darood upon my servant as he has sent Darood upon My Beloved Habeeb (Peace be upon him).

In response to this Divine Command, the Angel will continues to send Darood upon the person till the Day of Judgment. Similarly, my illustrious father, Khatim-ul-Muhaqqiqeen Arif-e-Billah Moulana Naqi Ali Khan (Radi Allah Unho), in this famous book Al Kalam-ul- Awdah fi Tafseer-e-Sura Alam-Nashrah reports a Hadith from Imam Sakhawi (Radi Allah Unho), in which Sayyeduna Rasoolullah (Peace be upon him) has stated: “There is one Angel of Almighty Allah whose one side is in the East and one (side) is in the west, When anyone sends Darood  Shareef upon me out of love and devotion, this Angel dives into the Heavenly water and flutters his wing. From each drop that falls from his wing, Almighty Allah Creates one Angel who will be reciting Istagfaar (seeking pardon) for this person until the Day of Judgment.”

1.15 In the book Mawahib-ul-Ladunnia, it is reported that:

There are some Angels who are constantly engaged in reciting the Tasbeeh of Almighty Allah For every Tasbeeh they recite, Almighty Allah Creates one Angel.

1.16 Sheikh-e-Akbar Sayyeduna Muhiuddin ibne Arabi (Radi Allah Unho), in his famous treatise Al Futuhaa-tul- Makkiyah states: “Pious deeds and words take the form of an Angel, which elevates the Heaven.” In his esteemed opinion, this is in accordance with the divine verse, which means, “Unto Him soars good words and pious deeds elevate it.”

1.17 Imam Qurtabi (Radi Allah Unho), in his book Tazkirah, narrates on the authority of great Scholars who maintain that, “Angels will intercede on behalf of the reciter on the Day of Judgment.”

1.18 Imam Arif Billah Abdul Wahab Sharani (Radi Allah Unho), states in his famous treatise Meezanush Share’a-tul-Kubra that, “Angels are created from the breath of pious people. Those that are created from the breath of pious women acquire greater beauty and chastity than those created from the breaths of men.”

From the above mentioned eighteen Ahadith and quotations of great Scholars of Islam we can ascertain about the different ways in which Angels are created. These prove beyond a shadow of doubt that Angels are created daily in large numbers. Only their Creator and what He has revealed to His beloved servants who know their true numbers.

THE DEATH OF ANGELS

When Imam Waliuddin Iraqi (Radi Allah Unho), was questioned regarding the death of Angels, he replied:

In my opinion, no concrete proof is on hand regarding this matter. However, mere conjecture in respect of this subject is unwise, as it leaver no room for me personal opinions and conjectures.

Contrary to this belief, the majority of the Ulama of the Ahle Sunnat are of the opinion that Angels are created from light delicate bodies. It is categorically proven from authentic sources that Angels will experience death without any doubt. Such a belief is in accordance with the Quranic verse, which proclaims:

Every soul shall taste death.

Sayyeduna Abdullah ibne Abbas (Radi Allah Unho), states that when the verse, “Every thing upon it (earth) shall perish” was revealed, the Angels proclaimed, “All dwellers upon the earth will die” meaning that they (the Angels) are safe from death. Yet, when the verse “Every soul shall taste death” was reveled, they proclaimed, “Now, we too will die” (Imam Raazi (Radi Allah Unho), records this in Mafaatiul Ghaib and Imam Ibne Jareer (Radi Allah Unho), narrates this from him.)

Sayyeduna Imam ibne Jareer (Radi Allah Unho), also reports from Sayyeduna Abdullah ibne Abbas (Radi Allah Unho), who states: 

The Angel of Death is appointed to capture the souls
of Muslims and Angels alike.

Imam ibne Jareer (Radi Allah Unho), Imam Ibnus-Sheikh (Radi Allah Unho), and others also narrate another lengthy Hadith Shareef from Sayyeduna Abu Hurairah (Radi Allah Unho), that the Beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) of Almighty Allah said:

“The last Angel to die will be the Angel of Death”.

Imam Bahiqi (Radi Allah Unho), and Imam Faryaabi (Radi Allah Unho), record that Sayyeduna Anas (Radi Allah Unho), has narrated the following detailed Hadith from Sayyeduna Rasoolullah (Peace be upon him), Which proves comprehensively that Angels too will also experience death.

Sayyeduna Rasoolullah (Peace be upon him) stated: “When everything will begin to perish only Jibra’il, Meka’il, and the Angel of Death will remain. Then Almighty Allah will State, ‘O Angel of Death! Who else is still spared?’ The reply will be, ‘None but Thy Graceful Self, Who is Eternal, as well as Thy servants Jibra’il and Meka’il and the Angel of Death’. "At this a Divine Command will be issued, ‘Capture the souls of Meka’il’ at which Meka’il will fall like a great and mighty Mountain." “Once again Almighty Allah the All-Knowing, will Ask, ‘Who is spared? The reply will be, ‘None but Thy Graceful Self, Jibra’il and the Angel of Death.’ Again the Command will be given, ‘Capture the soul of Jibra’il’, at which Jibra’il will flutter his wings, fall into prostration and pass away. “Finally, when the Angel of Death himself will pass away. The All-Wise, and Great Creator will proclaim, ‘In the beginning, I brought the creations into existence and I will once more bring it to life. Where are those rulers that laid claim to kingship?’ There will be no answer. The Almighty Allah Himself will Reply, ‘Today, kingship belongs to Almighty Allah Alone, the sole Controller’.”

From this Hadith we learn that even Almighty Allah’s closest Angels will not live beyond the Day of Judgment. The crux of the matter is that daily numerous Angels are created, who engage themselves in the constant Tasbeeh of Almighty Allah and who live only until the of Judgment. These include Angels, which are created from the recitation of Darood Shareef. In fact, it is not substantiated from any Hadith that Angels will not be subjected to death. In fact, Sayyeduna ibne Abbas (Radi Allah Unho), makes it clear that before the revelation the verse, “Every soul shall taste death” Angels were not aware of themselves experiencing death.

With regards to the two Angels, Kiraman Katibeen, who accompany every Muslim, Sayyeduna Rasoolullah (Peace be upon him) has stated:

“After the death of the Muslim, they soar to the heaven and seek permission to live there, but Almighty Allah turns down their request saying, ‘My Heavens are full of Angels who are constantly engaged in Glorifying Me’. Then they will Reply, ‘My creation has filled the earth, constantly glorifying Me.’ Thereafter, Almighty Allah Will Command them to stand at the graveside of the Muslims and the servants of Almighty Allah to recite the Tasbeeh of Almighty Allah, and the Thawaab of which is then bestowed upon the deceased person”.

Sayyeduna Abdullah ibne Abbas (Radi Allah Unho), narrates that Sayyeduna Rasoolullah (Peace be upon him )has stated:

Angels will die at the time when the first Trumpet will be sounded on the Day of Judgment. The Angel of Death will capture their souls. There after, the Angel of Death him self will succumb to death.

CONCLUSION

After the completion of this work, I came across one Fatwa regarding the Angels found in Allama ibne Hajr Makki’s (Radi Allah Unho) Fatawah Hadithiyah, in which the learned Imam affirms that Angels will experience death when the first Trumpet will be sounded, but the Carriers of the Divine Throne and the four exalted Angels will be the last to pass away. Regarding the birth of Angels too, he states:

Angels are not created at one time Rather, this is an ongoing process.

Thereafter, Imam ibne Hajr (Radi Allah Unho), has narrated seven Ahadith, five of which I have already mentioned, while the other two are now added to the original eighteen.

1.19 Imam Abush-Sheikh (Radi Allah Unho), narrates from Imam Wahab bin Mambah (Radi Allah Unho):

There is a fountain of Almighty Allah found in space, which is so huge that seven layers of earth can fit into it seven times. In it, one Angel from Heaven, whose size completely fills the fountain, descends. He bathes in this fountain and when he emerges from it, drops of light, drip from his wings. From each droplet, Almighty Allah creates one Angel who, like all Angels, constantly engages in the Tasbeeh
of Almighty Allah.

1.20 He further narrates another Hadith from Sayyeduna Ula bin Haroon (Radi Allah Unho), who mentions that Sayyeduna Rasoolullah (Peace be upon him) stated:

Jibra'il (Alehis salam ) daily dives into the Fountain of Kauther and shakes his wings. From each droplet, Almighty Allah creates one Angel.

By the Grace of the Almighty Allah and His Beloved Habeeb (Peace be upon him), I recall another Hadith on this subject, which can be further including in this list.
In the book Kitabus Thawaab, Sayyeduna ibne Abid Duniya (Radi Allah Unho), and Sayyeduna Abush Sheikh (Radi Allah Unho) have recorded a Hadith of Sayyeduna  Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (Radi Allah Unho), in which Sayyeduna Rasoolullah (Peace be upon him) has stated:

Whosoever makes a Muslim happy, Almighty Allah will create one Angel out of this happiness who immediately engages himself in the worship of Almighty Allah and in exalting His Oneness. When this person passes away and enters the grave, this Angel will appear in front of him and ask, “ Do you remember me? I am the same happiness with which you gladden the heart of a certain Muslim. Today , I will comfort you in your hour of fear, teach you the answers to the questions that will prove you a Believer and will show you your place in heaven”.

N.B. The above Hadith Shareef is translated with full explanation for the reader to understand the concept and meaning of the context. We humbly supplicate in the Court of the Almighty Allah that this explanation will have taught you about the life and existence of the Angels. Aameen.

In conclusion, Most Exalted is the King of the Mighty Throne, Lord of the Angels, who has distinguished Sayyeduna Muhammadur-Rasoolullah (Peace be upon him) from the entire creation. May the Almighty Allah in His Infinite Mercy bestow the strength upon those who are misled on the straight Path and bestow upon those who are on the Straight Path to remain on this path.

Ameen Allahuma Ameen.

Written and Signed by ;
The humble servant of Almighty Allah Almighty
Ahmed Raza Barelwi
(May the Merciful Lord forgive him)

The ink of a scholar is more Holier than the blood of a Martyr. ( Hadith Shareef )