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Al-mala'ikah wal-ghayb

Angels & the unseen

Believing in angels is part of iman itself — the Prophet ﷺ listed it when Jibril asked him what faith is. Children are naturally curious about the unseen, and if we do not teach it from the Qur'an and Sunnah they fill the gap with cartoons. These five lessons stay strictly with what is narrated: what angels are made of, what they do, who brought the Qur'an, and why Shaytan is a whisperer and not a monster.

A soft glowing cream clay feather resting on a sage clay surface with gold clay light rays
A large soft cream clay feather glowing on a sage clay surface with thin gold clay rays around it

Lesson 1 · What angels are · ages 5-7

Made of light

Angels are creatures of light who never disobey Allah. They are not babies with bows, and they are not scary.

  1. Created from light

    The Prophet ﷺ said the angels were created from light, the jinn from smokeless fire, and Adam from clay.

  2. They always obey

    Allah describes them as servants who do not disobey what He commands and do exactly what they are ordered.

  3. Believing in them is iman

    Faith includes belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers and the Last Day.

  4. They have jobs

    Some carry revelation, some record deeds, some guard, some take souls — each has a task from Allah.

  5. They are many

    The Prophet ﷺ described enormous numbers of angels; we know only what we were told about them.

Surah At-Tahrim · 66:6

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًۭا وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَٰٓئِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌۭ شِدَادٌۭ لَّا يَعْصُونَ ٱللَّهَ مَآ أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ

Yaaa ayyuhal lazeena samanoo qooo anfusakum wa ahleekum naaranw waqoodu han naasu wal hijaaratu 'alaihaa malaaa'ikatun ghilaazun shidaadul laa ya'soonal laaha maa amarahum wa yaf'aloona maa yu'maroon

“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.”

Surah Al-Anbiyaa · 21:19

وَلَهُۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَمَنْ عِندَهُۥ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِۦ وَلَا يَسْتَحْسِرُونَ

Wa lahoo man fis samaawaati wal ard; wa man 'indahoo laa yastakbiroona 'an 'ibaada tihee wa laa yastahsiroon

“To Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those near Him are not prevented by arrogance from His worship, nor do they tire.”

Surah Al-Anbiyaa · 21:20

يُسَبِّحُونَ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ لَا يَفْتُرُونَ

Yusabbihoona laila wannahaara laa yafturoon

“They exalt [Him] night and day [and] do not slacken.”

Surah Al-Baqara · 2:177

۞ لَّيْسَ ٱلْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ ٱلْمَشْرِقِ وَٱلْمَغْرِبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلْبِرَّ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّۦنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَٰهَدُوا۟ ۖ وَٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ فِى ٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَحِينَ ٱلْبَأْسِ ۗ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ ۖ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ

Laisal birra an tuwalloo wujoohakum qibalal mashriqi walmaghribi wa laakinnal birra man aamana billaahi wal yawmil aakhiri wal malaaa 'ikati wal kitaabi wan nabiyyeena wa aatalmaala 'alaa hubbihee zawilqurbaa walyataa maa walmasaakeena wabnas sabeeli wassaaa'ileena wa firriqaabi wa aqaamas salaata wa aataz zakaata walmoofoona bi ahdihim izaa 'aahadoo wasaabireena fil baasaaa'i waddarraaa'i wa heenal baas; ulaaa'ikal lazeena sadaqoo wa ulaaa 'ika humul muttaqoon

“Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.”

“The angels were created from light, the jinn were created from smokeless fire, and Adam was created from that which has been described to you.”

Sahih Muslim 2996

Do this before next time

Say the six things a Muslim believes in out loud, counting them on your fingers.

A clay cave opening in a sage clay mountain with a gold clay light beam falling on a cream clay open book

Lesson 2 · How the Qur'an arrived · ages 8-11

Jibril and the first revelation

The Qur'an did not appear in a shop. It was carried by the angel Jibril to the Prophet ﷺ, starting in a cave.

  1. The first word was 'read'

    In the cave of Hira, Jibril came to the Prophet ﷺ and the first revelation began: Read, in the name of your Lord who created.

  2. The trustworthy spirit

    Allah says the Qur'an was brought down by the trustworthy Spirit upon the Prophet's heart in clear Arabic.

  3. Twenty-three years

    Revelation came in pieces over about twenty-three years, answering real situations as they happened.

  4. Jibril taught the prayer

    Jibril also came to teach the Prophet ﷺ the times of the prayers and to ask him about faith in front of the companions.

  5. Guarded, not changed

    Allah promises He sent down the reminder and He Himself is its guardian.

Surah Al-Alaq · 96:1

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ

Iqra bismi rab bikal lazee khalaq

“Recite in the name of your Lord who created -”

Surah Al-Alaq · 96:2

خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ

Khalaqal insaana min 'alaq

“Created man from a clinging substance.”

Surah Ash-Shu'araa · 26:192

وَإِنَّهُۥ لَتَنزِيلُ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

Wa innahoo latanzeelu Rabbil 'aalameen

“And indeed, the Qur'an is the revelation of the Lord of the worlds.”

Surah Ash-Shu'araa · 26:193

نَزَلَ بِهِ ٱلرُّوحُ ٱلْأَمِينُ

Nazala bihir Roohul Ameen

“The Trustworthy Spirit has brought it down”

Surah Ash-Shu'araa · 26:194

عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُنذِرِينَ

'Alaa qalbika litakoona minal munzireen

“Upon your heart, [O Muhammad] - that you may be of the warners -”

Surah Al-Hijr · 15:9

إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا ٱلذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَٰفِظُونَ

Innaa Nahnu nazalnaz Zikra wa Innaa lahoo lahaa fizoon

“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian.”

“The angel came to him and asked him to read, and the Prophet replied: I do not know how to read.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 3

Do this before next time

Recite Surah al-'Alaq's first two ayahs and remember they were the very first words revealed.

Two small cream clay scrolls and a gold clay pen resting on a sage clay desk with clay stars above

Lesson 3 · Kiraman katibin · ages 8-11

The two who write everything down

Two noble angels record what you do. And the way Allah counts is far kinder than you would expect.

  1. Noble recorders

    Allah says there are honourable scribes over you who write, and they know what you do.

  2. One on each side

    Allah mentions two receivers seated on the right and the left, and not a word is said without being recorded.

  3. Intending good already counts

    The Prophet ﷺ narrated that whoever intends a good deed gets a reward even before doing it, and doing it multiplies it many times.

  4. Intending bad does not

    Whoever intends a bad deed and does not do it has a good deed written for him instead.

  5. So the record leans to mercy

    Understanding this stops a child living in fear while still taking their deeds seriously.

Surah Al-Infitaar · 82:10

وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ لَحَٰفِظِينَ

Wa inna 'alaikum lahaa fizeen

“And indeed, [appointed] over you are keepers,”

Surah Al-Infitaar · 82:11

كِرَامًۭا كَٰتِبِينَ

Kiraaman kaatibeen

“Noble and recording;”

Surah Al-Infitaar · 82:12

يَعْلَمُونَ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ

Ya'lamoona ma taf'aloon

“They know whatever you do.”

Surah Qaaf · 50:17

إِذْ يَتَلَقَّى ٱلْمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ ٱلْيَمِينِ وَعَنِ ٱلشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٌۭ

'Iz yatalaqqal mutalaqqi yaani 'anil yameeni wa 'anish shimaali qa'eed

“When the two receivers receive, seated on the right and on the left.”

Surah Qaaf · 50:18

مَّا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌۭ

Maa yalfizu min qawlin illaa ladaihi raqeebun 'ateed

“Man does not utter any word except that with him is an observer prepared [to record].”

“Whoever intends to do a good deed and does not do it, Allah records for him one good deed; and if he does it, Allah records for him ten to seven hundred times.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 6491

Do this before next time

Before one small good deed today, say to yourself out loud that you intend it for Allah.

A sage clay minaret at dawn with a gold clay sun low behind it and two cream clay clouds

Lesson 4 · Fajr and Asr · ages 8-11

The angels who change shift

Angels swap over at Fajr and Asr, and they report to Allah what they found you doing.

  1. Two shifts a day

    The Prophet ﷺ said angels take turns watching over you, gathering at Fajr and Asr.

  2. The best report

    When they go up, Allah asks how they left His servants, and they say: we left them praying, and we found them praying.

  3. Guard those two prayers

    This is one reason Fajr and Asr carry special emphasis in the Sunnah.

  4. Angels sit with dhikr

    The Prophet ﷺ said angels surround gatherings where Allah is remembered.

  5. You are never alone

    There is always company for a child who worships, even when the house is empty.

Surah Al-Israa · 17:78

أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِدُلُوكِ ٱلشَّمْسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَقُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ ۖ إِنَّ قُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًۭا

Aqimis Salaata liduloo kish shamsi ilaa ghasaqil laili wa quraanal Fajri inna quraa nal Fajri kaana mashhoodaa

“Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur'an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.”

Surah An-Noor · 24:36

فِى بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ ٱللَّهُ أَن تُرْفَعَ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا ٱسْمُهُۥ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ فِيهَا بِٱلْغُدُوِّ وَٱلْءَاصَالِ

Fee buyootin azinal laahu an turfa'a wa yuzkara feehasmuhoo yusabbihu lahoo feehaa bilghuduwwi wal aasaal

“[Such niches are] in mosques which Allah has ordered to be raised and that His name be mentioned therein; exalting Him within them in the morning and the evenings”

Surah An-Noor · 24:37

رِجَالٌۭ لَّا تُلْهِيهِمْ تِجَٰرَةٌۭ وَلَا بَيْعٌ عَن ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَإِقَامِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَإِيتَآءِ ٱلزَّكَوٰةِ ۙ يَخَافُونَ يَوْمًۭا تَتَقَلَّبُ فِيهِ ٱلْقُلُوبُ وَٱلْأَبْصَٰرُ

Rinjaalul laa tulheehim tijaaratunw wa laa bai'un 'an zikril laahi wa iqaamis Salaati wa eetaaa'iz Zakaati yakkhaafoona Yawman tataqallabu feehil quloobu wal absaar

“[Are] men whom neither commerce nor sale distracts from the remembrance of Allah and performance of prayer and giving of zakah. They fear a Day in which the hearts and eyes will [fearfully] turn about -”

“Angels come to you in succession by night and day, and all of them get together at the time of the Fajr and Asr prayers.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 555

Do this before next time

Set an alarm for Fajr this week and pray it on time at least three days.

A cream clay shield with a gold clay eight-point star at its centre standing in front of grey clay smoke wisps

Lesson 5 · Waswasah · ages 8-11

Shaytan is only a whisperer

Shaytan cannot force you to do anything. He suggests — and there are simple things that make him leave.

  1. He has no power over you

    Allah quotes Shaytan admitting he only invited people, and they answered him — so they should blame themselves.

  2. Made of fire, not myth

    Iblis is from the jinn, created from fire, and he refused to obey out of arrogance.

  3. He flees from the adhan

    The Prophet ﷺ said when the adhan is called Shaytan takes to his heels.

  4. Seek refuge and move on

    Allah instructs that when a whisper comes from Shaytan, seek refuge in Allah — do not argue with the thought.

  5. Ayat al-Kursi at night

    The Prophet ﷺ taught that reciting Ayat al-Kursi before sleep keeps a guard over you until morning.

Surah Ibrahim · 14:22

وَقَالَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ لَمَّا قُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَعَدَكُمْ وَعْدَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَوَعَدتُّكُمْ فَأَخْلَفْتُكُمْ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ لِىَ عَلَيْكُم مِّن سُلْطَٰنٍ إِلَّآ أَن دَعَوْتُكُمْ فَٱسْتَجَبْتُمْ لِى ۖ فَلَا تَلُومُونِى وَلُومُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُم ۖ مَّآ أَنَا۠ بِمُصْرِخِكُمْ وَمَآ أَنتُم بِمُصْرِخِىَّ ۖ إِنِّى كَفَرْتُ بِمَآ أَشْرَكْتُمُونِ مِن قَبْلُ ۗ إِنَّ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ

Wa qaalash Shaitaanu lammaa qudiyal amru innal laaha wa'adakum wa'dal haqqi wa wa'attukum faakhlaftukum wa maa kaana liya 'alaikum min sultaanin illaaa an da'awtukum fastajabtum lee falaa taloomoonee wa loomooo anfusakum maaa ana bimusrikhikum wa maaa antum bimusrikhiyya innee kafartu bimaaa ashraktumooni min qabl; innaz zaalimeena lahum azaabun aleem

“And Satan will say when the matter has been concluded, "Indeed, Allah had promised you the promise of truth. And I promised you, but I betrayed you. But I had no authority over you except that I invited you, and you responded to me. So do not blame me; but blame yourselves. I cannot be called to your aid, nor can you be called to my aid. Indeed, I deny your association of me [with Allah] before. Indeed, for the wrongdoers is a painful punishment."”

Surah Al-A'raaf · 7:12

قَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَلَّا تَسْجُدَ إِذْ أَمَرْتُكَ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا۠ خَيْرٌۭ مِّنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِى مِن نَّارٍۢ وَخَلَقْتَهُۥ مِن طِينٍۢ

Qaala maa mana'aka allaa tasjuda iz amartuka qaala ana khairum minhu khalaqtanee min naarinw wa khalaqtahoo min teen

“[Allah] said, "What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?" [Satan] said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay."”

Surah Al-A'raaf · 7:200

وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ نَزْغٌۭ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

Wa immaa yanzaghannaka minash Shaitaani nazghun fasta'iz billaah; innahoo Samee'un Aleem

“And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Satan, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing.”

Surah Al-Baqara · 2:255

ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٌۭ وَلَا نَوْمٌۭ ۚ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ

Allahu laaa ilaaha illaa Huwal Haiyul Qaiyoom; laa taakhuzuhoo sinatunw wa laa nawm; lahoo maa fissamaawaati wa maa fil ard; man zal lazee yashfa'u indahooo illaa bi-iznih; ya'lamu maa baina aydeehim wa mww khalfahum wa laa yuheetoona bishai'im min 'ilmihee illaa bimaa shaaa'; wasi'a Kursiyyuhus samaawaati wal arda wa laa ya'ooduho hifzuhumaa; wa Huwal Aliyyul 'Azeem

“Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.”

Surah Al-Kahf · 18:50

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِءَادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِۦٓ ۗ أَفَتَتَّخِذُونَهُۥ وَذُرِّيَّتَهُۥٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِى وَهُمْ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۢ ۚ بِئْسَ لِلظَّٰلِمِينَ بَدَلًۭا

Wa iz qulnaa lilma laaa'ikatis judoo li Aadama fasajadooo illaaa Ibleesa kaana minal jinni fafasaqa 'an amri Rabbih; afatattakhizoonahoo wa zurriyatahooo awliyaaa'a min doonee wa hum lakum 'aduww; bi'sa lizzaalimeena badalaa

“And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," and they prostrated, except for Iblees. He was of the jinn and departed from the command of his Lord. Then will you take him and his descendants as allies other than Me while they are enemies to you? Wretched it is for the wrongdoers as an exchange.”

“When the call to prayer is pronounced, Satan takes to his heels and passes wind with noise.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 608

“Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi when he goes to bed, Allah appoints a guardian over him who stays with him until morning.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 2311

Memorise this

أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

A'oodhu billahi min ash-Shaytan ir-rajeem

I seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan, the accursed.

Wording taught in the Qur'an, 16:98

Do this before next time

Next time an unkind thought comes, say A'oodhu billahi min ash-Shaytan ir-rajeem and change what you are doing.

Every ayah on this page comes from the Tanzil Uthmani text of the Qur'an with the Sahih International translation, and every hadith carries its collection and number so you can check it yourself. Back to the learning path

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