In many religious doctrines, the concept of guardian angels provides comfort, assuring that divine beings watch over human beings. But, does Islam believe in guardian angels?
The answer is yes, Islam affirms the existence of angels tasked with protecting and recording human deeds by the will of God (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). However, Muslims are not allowed to pray to angels. Additionally, angels don’t intervene with human’s free will, and have no power themselves, but only obey Allah’s commands.
Angels Are obedient beings Created By God:
In Islam, angels are creations of Allah made from light. They are pure, obedient beings who carry out divine commands without free will. Unlike humans, Angels do not eat, sleep, or commit sins.
Allah says in Surah Ash-shuraa, verse 5:
The heavens almost break from above them, and the angels exalt [Allah] with praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth. Unquestionably, it is Allah who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
(Sahih International)
The Quran and Hadith mention various types of angels, each assigned for specific duties, some are responsible for natural phenomena, while others interact directly with humans, protecting them by the will of God and recording their good and bad deeds.
This article explores the Islamic belief on guardian angels, their roles, and what the Quran and Prophetic Hadith say about these guardian angels.
Does Islam Believe in Guardian Angels?
Yes, Islam teaches that Allah assigns angels to every individual for protection and record-keeping. Two types of angels serve as “guardians” of Muslim believers:
1- Kiraman Katibin, The Honorable Recorders
These are the two angels assigned to every person (on the right and on the left) to document their good and bad deeds. The Quran mentions:
“Indeed, over you are keepers, noble and recording. They know whatever you do.”
These angels note every action, which will be presented on the Day of Judgment.
The hadith of prophet Mohammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him) says:
At-Tabaraani in Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabeer and Al-Bayhaqi in Shu’ab Al-Eemaan reported from Abu Umamah that the Prophet (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him) said: “The angel on the left-hand side (who records sins) holds up his pen (refrains from writing down) for six hours after a Muslim commits a sin. If the person regrets it and asks Allah for forgiveness, he casts it aside (does not write it down); otherwise, it is written down as one (bad deed).”
(Shaykh Al-Albaani classified it as Hasan in Saheeh Al-Jaami’ As-Sagheer, and he quoted it in As-Silsilah As-Saheehah.)
2- Al-Hafazah, The Guardian Angels
In addition to the record-keepers, other angels accompany believers from in front and behind to protect them from harm, by Allah’s will. Allah says in the Quran:
“For each one, there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the command of Allah.”
This verse confirms that angels surround humans, offering them protection from unseen dangers.
The Role of Guardian Angels in a Muslim’s Life
Guardian angels in Islam serve several purposes, such as:
1- Recording Deeds
The *Kiraman Katibin* note every action, ensuring accountability in the afterlife.
2- Physical Protection
Angels shield believers from accidents, illnesses, and evil forces unless decreed otherwise by Allah.
3- Spiritual Support
Some Hadith suggest angels pray for righteous individuals and assist them during worship.
Allah says in Surah Ghafir, verse 7:
Those (angels) who bear the Throne (of Allah) and those around it glorify the praises of their Lord, and believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah) (saying): “Our Lord! You comprehend all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who repent and follow Your Way, and save them from the torment of the blazing Fire!
Do Guardian Angels Alternate Among Us?
Yes, Guardian angels roam the streets seeking remembrance, and witnessing gatherings, they alternate among us, one group comes while another group goes. They gather for the Fajr prayer and the Asr prayer.
In the authentic Hadiths of Bukhari and Muslim narrated by Abu Huraira may Allah be pleased with him, the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said:
Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “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. Those who have passed the night with you (or stayed with you) ascend (to the Heaven) and Allah asks them, though He knows everything about you, well, “In what state did you leave my slaves?” The angels reply: “When we left them they were praying and when we reached them, they were praying.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 555)
And perhaps these angels are the ones who raise the deeds of humans to their Lord. In Sahih Muslim narrated by Abu Musa al-Ash’ari may Allah be pleased with him, he said: The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him addressed us with five words, saying:
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was standing amongst us and he told us five things. He said: Verily the Exalted and Mighty God does not sleep, and it does not befit Him to sleep. He lowers the scale and lifts it. The deeds in the night are taken up to Him before the deeds of the day, and the deeds of the day before the deeds of the night. His veil is the light. In the hadith narrated by Abu Bakr (instead of the word “light” ) it is fire. If he withdraws it (the veil), the splendour of His countenance would consume His creation so far as His sight reaches.
(Sahih Muslim 179a).
When Do Guardian Angels Pray For Us?
Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) mentioned several acts of worship that cause the angels to pray to believers. Below are some examples of these worships:
1- Angels Pray For Those Who Spread knowledge
Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “The superiority of the learned over the devout worshipper is like my superiority over the most inferior amongst you (in good deeds).” He went on to say, “Allah, His angels, the dwellers of the heaven and the earth, and even the ant in its hole and the fish (in water) supplicate in favour of those who teach people knowledge.”
[At-Tirmidhi].
2- Angels Accompany The One Who Visits a Sick Person
It was narrated that ‘Abdullah bin Nafi’ said:
Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari visited al-Hasan bin ‘Ali when he was sick. ‘Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) said to him: Are you visiting him because he is sick, or is this a social visit? Abu Moosa said: Rather I have come to visit him because he is sick. `Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: “Whoever visits a sick person in the morning, seventy thousand angels will go out with him, all of them praying for forgiveness for him, until evening comes, and he will have a garden in Paradise. And whoever visits a sick person in the evening, seventy thousand angels will go out with him, all of them praying for forgiveness for him until morning comes, and he will have a garden in Paradise.(Musnad Ahmad 975)
3- Angels Pray For Muslims Who Wait For Congregational Prayers
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “The angels supplicate in favour of one of you so long as he remains in the place where he has performed Salat (prayer) in a state of Wudu’. They (the angels) say: ‘O Allah! Forgive him, O Allah! Have mercy on him.”‘
[Al- Bukhari].
Can We Pray to Our Guardian Angel In Islam?
No, in Islam, it is forbidden to pray to any one except Allah. So, praying to guardian angels is considered ‘Shirk” which contradicts monotheism (Tawheed). Muslims believe that angels have no power of their own, they only do what Allah (Subhanahu-Wa -Ta’ala) commands them to do.
Do Angels Intervene in Human Life?
While angels guard and record, they do not interfere with human free will. Their role is to observe and protect within Allah’s divine plan. Muslims believe that ultimate protection comes from Allah, while angels act as His agents.
Conclusion
Many people ask, does Islam believe in guardian angels? The short answer to this question is, yes, Islam believes in the existence of guardian angels who protect and record human actions.
While unseen, the presence of guardian angels is a reminder of Allah’s mercy of believers. By living righteously, Muslims can benefit from their angelic guardians who pray for them, protect them, by Allah’s will and record their good deeds to be rewarded on the day of judgment.
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