They Never Disobey Allah's (swt) Order

Almighty Allah (swt) has shown humans and jinn both ways, good and bad. Besides, He has given them the ability and the will to choose whatever they want from the two of them. In other words, jinn and humans can do both good and evil, thanks to the freedom of choice given to them. However, angels differ from humans and jinn in this respect. Because they are in charge of fulfilling Allah's (swt) command and they do not rebel against Him. As a matter of fact, in a verse, attention is drawn to this issue as follows: O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.” (Tahrim, 66/6)Likewise, it is stated in other verses that angels are responsible for fulfilling Allah's orders, they obey them to the letter and they fear being rebellious against Allah (swt). (Nahl, 16/50; Anbya, 21/27)

Angels are various symbols as well as being real beings. First, they are symbols of devotion, loyalty and submission to Allah (swt). They are another example of the submission of Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail to Almighty Allah (swt). Angels act only by the command of Allah (swt). They do not obey the orders of any person or entity other than Him. Perhaps as a result of their loyalty and submission, they are also a symbol of spiritual cleanliness, being free from all dirt and sins. Although they are intelligent and conscious beings, they do not engage in any words or behaviors that will lead them to rebel against Allah (swt). They are always ready to fulfill His command. With these aspects, they also remind the people who were sent to the world for servitude of their original duty.

Prophet Muhammad (saw) once asked Jibril (as) why he did not come to visit Him more often. Thereupon, Jibril (as) recites the following revelation of Almighty Allah (swt): “And we [angels] descend not except by the order of your Lord. To Him belongs that before us and that behind us and what is in between… ”(Maryam, 19/64; Bukhari,Bad'ul Halq, 6)

The meaning of the word "malak" is also "envoy, messenger". An envoy is only responsible for doing what he is ordered, that is, the task given to him. In this context, it is not possible for angels to disobey Allah's command and do anything without His permission. (Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya, Ighathat al-Lahfan, II, 127)Because they do not have the features (anger, lust, etc.) that will lead them to commit sins. (Güneş, Meleklere İman, p. 35)

Angels have various duties. They fulfill whatever duty they were created for. However, their main duty is to glorify Allah (swt). This does not mean that they are mindless beings. As a matter of fact, when Almighty Allah (swt) willed to create the Prophet Adam, the angels said to him. “Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood.” (Baqarah, 2/30). The angels did not say this word to rebel against Allah (swt). On the contrary, they said it in order to learn the subject and understand the wisdom behind the matter. (Cebeci, Kur’an’a Göre Melek, Cin, Şeytan, p. 58) Therefore, these statements are important in terms of showing that they are intelligent beings. Besides, they are prevented from committing a sin. The Qur'an presents an important argument that angels are sinless/innocent besides having reason and will. “Never would the Messiah disdain to be a servant of Allah, nor would the angels near [to Him].” (Nisa, 4/172) In this verse, Almighty Allah (swt) mentions the angels together with the Prophet Isa, (Güneş, Meleklere İman, p. 36) who was sinless because he was both intelligent and a prophet.

Angels are not mindless, irrational and weak beings. Although they are not responsible for the things that people are held responsible for, they have certain responsibilities of worship and obligations. According to the Qur'an, angels fear Allah (swt) and do not rebel against Him in any way. They do not disobey what Almighty Allah (swt) has commanded them. They are protected from sin. In this respect, angels are beings with intelligence, will and consciousness.