10 Proofs for Belief in the External Existence of Angels
Compiled by: Tawheed.com
Īmān bil-Malā’ikah (Belief in Angels) is one of the fundamental pillars of Islamic faith. Numerous verses of the Qur’an clearly state that angels are an external creation with individual identities. They are an unseen creation, brought into existence by Allah ﷻ from light.
According to an authentic narration in Sahih Muslim:
Sayyidah ‘Aishah (رضي الله عنها) reported that angels were created from light.
Thus, believing in angels is part of Īmān bil-Ghayb (belief in the unseen).
◈ All angels remain engaged in the worship of Allah ﷻ.
◈ They do not possess divine attributes.
◈ They were created solely for the obedience and servitude of Allah ﷻ.
◈ They are honored servants of Allah ﷻ.
◈ They never disobey His commands and always comply with His will.
◈ Angels descend from the heavens to the earth and ascend back again.
◈ Jibrīl (عليه السلام) and Mīkā’īl (عليه السلام) are among these angels.
◈ Some angels have two, three, or four wings.
◈ In the Battle of Badr, by the command of Allah ﷻ, angels descended to aid the Muslims.
These facts prove that angels have a real, external existence. However, since they are beyond human senses and perception, some deny their reality.
Denying the independent existence of angels, Mr. Parwez wrote:
“The angels are our own internal forces, meaning the effects of our deeds that continue to act upon us.”
(Iblees wa Adam, p. 162)
According to Parwez, angels are not a separate creation from humans, but rather refer to human emotions, inner forces, and psychological energies.
Contrary to Parwez’s claim, the Qur’an presents angels as a separate and distinct creation from humans:
﴿اِنَّ اللّٰہَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّوْنَ عَلَى النَّبِىِّ يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا صَلُّوْا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوْا تَسْلِيْمًا﴾ (Al-Ahzab: 56)
“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe! Send blessings upon him and salute him with a worthy salutation.”
If angels were merely human internal forces, as Parwez claims, why would the Qur’an mention them separately from the believers? In the command for the believers to send salat upon the Prophet ﷺ, their internal forces would automatically be included if his claim were true. The separate mention of angels proves that they are not mental or psychological forces but an independent, luminous creation.
Parwez’s mind was rooted in materialism, making him unwilling to acknowledge any being beyond physical perception. His thought process extended so far that he even attempted to define Allah ﷻ in material terms, writing:
“Allah refers to that society which is formed to enforce the divine law.”
(Nizam-e-Rububiyyat, p. 158)
It is not surprising, then, that someone who could not safeguard the sanctity of belief in Allah ﷻ would reject angels as a spiritual creation. Thus, he wrote:
“Angels, meaning the cosmic forces from which sustenance is produced, are subservient to humans.”
(Iblees wa Adam, p. 52)
These proofs and explanations confirm that angels are not psychological states or internal human forces. Rather, they are an external, luminous, and independent creation of Allah ﷻ, wholly devoted to carrying out His commands.
Compiled by: Tawheed.com
Belief in Angels – A Fundamental Islamic Creed
Īmān bil-Malā’ikah (Belief in Angels) is one of the fundamental pillars of Islamic faith. Numerous verses of the Qur’an clearly state that angels are an external creation with individual identities. They are an unseen creation, brought into existence by Allah ﷻ from light.
Creation and Attributes of Angels
According to an authentic narration in Sahih Muslim:
Sayyidah ‘Aishah (رضي الله عنها) reported that angels were created from light.
Thus, believing in angels is part of Īmān bil-Ghayb (belief in the unseen).
◈ All angels remain engaged in the worship of Allah ﷻ.
◈ They do not possess divine attributes.
◈ They were created solely for the obedience and servitude of Allah ﷻ.
◈ They are honored servants of Allah ﷻ.
◈ They never disobey His commands and always comply with His will.
Functions and Roles of Angels
◈ Angels descend from the heavens to the earth and ascend back again.
◈ Jibrīl (عليه السلام) and Mīkā’īl (عليه السلام) are among these angels.
◈ Some angels have two, three, or four wings.
◈ In the Battle of Badr, by the command of Allah ﷻ, angels descended to aid the Muslims.
These facts prove that angels have a real, external existence. However, since they are beyond human senses and perception, some deny their reality.
Parwez’s Denial of the External Existence of Angels
Denying the independent existence of angels, Mr. Parwez wrote:
“The angels are our own internal forces, meaning the effects of our deeds that continue to act upon us.”
(Iblees wa Adam, p. 162)
According to Parwez, angels are not a separate creation from humans, but rather refer to human emotions, inner forces, and psychological energies.
The Qur’anic Position
Contrary to Parwez’s claim, the Qur’an presents angels as a separate and distinct creation from humans:
﴿اِنَّ اللّٰہَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّوْنَ عَلَى النَّبِىِّ يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا صَلُّوْا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوْا تَسْلِيْمًا﴾ (Al-Ahzab: 56)
“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe! Send blessings upon him and salute him with a worthy salutation.”
If angels were merely human internal forces, as Parwez claims, why would the Qur’an mention them separately from the believers? In the command for the believers to send salat upon the Prophet ﷺ, their internal forces would automatically be included if his claim were true. The separate mention of angels proves that they are not mental or psychological forces but an independent, luminous creation.
Parwez’s Materialistic Outlook
Parwez’s mind was rooted in materialism, making him unwilling to acknowledge any being beyond physical perception. His thought process extended so far that he even attempted to define Allah ﷻ in material terms, writing:
“Allah refers to that society which is formed to enforce the divine law.”
(Nizam-e-Rububiyyat, p. 158)
It is not surprising, then, that someone who could not safeguard the sanctity of belief in Allah ﷻ would reject angels as a spiritual creation. Thus, he wrote:
“Angels, meaning the cosmic forces from which sustenance is produced, are subservient to humans.”
(Iblees wa Adam, p. 52)
Conclusion
These proofs and explanations confirm that angels are not psychological states or internal human forces. Rather, they are an external, luminous, and independent creation of Allah ﷻ, wholly devoted to carrying out His commands.
