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Angels are beings that have been known throughout human history, and although they may not be visible, their existence has been acknowledged both by religious sources and by perspectives that are distant from religion.

Although there are differences and divergences in the expressions and descriptions regarding the existence and truth of angels, people of reason—those who reflect and contemplate—and people of transmission—those who refer to divine scriptures and prophets—have, knowingly or unknowingly, reached a consensus on their existence.

The philosophy of the Ishrāqiyyūn (Illuminationists), in their search for truth that fills the void of meaning and the interconnections of existence witnessed in this worldly life, did not deny the concept of angels found in divine sources but instead referred to them as the ‘Uqūl al-‘Ashara (Ten Intellects) or Arbāb al-Anwāʿ (Lords of Species).

On the other hand, the philosophies of Materialists and Naturalists (Maddiyyūn and Ṭabī‘iyyūn), though unable to observe such beings in the realm of existence, could not outright reject them either, and thus labeled these undeniable forces as Quwwā al-Sāriyya—meaning “pervasive forces whose existence cannot be denied.”

Angels are an undeniable reality!

The truth of religion, which began with the existence of humanity, has identified the meaning that emerges from the magnificent creation witnessed in human life—and from the relationships among the beings within that creation, as well as the resulting harmony and perfect order—with the name “angel” through knowledge revealed by divine revelation.

Whether we look at it through the lens of religion or through a perspective detached from religion, angels—though perhaps called by different names—appear before us as a truth that cannot be denied.

Thinking deeply about angels requires us to reflect on the undeniable truth of humanity’s religious stance and the concept that has been named in various ways throughout the history of thought. We must examine what this concept contributes to our lives, what it brings to us. Whether we accept angels within the framework of religion or in a thought system far removed from religion, if we don’t understand how the thing we accept touches our lives, its beneficial or harmful aspects, then our acceptance or rejection of it lacks a rational and human foundation. This belief—whether acceptance or rejection—becomes dogmatic, an unquestioned conviction defended without any experience or evidence. Therefore, the issue of angels should not be hastily passed over in a single article or treated as a truth that is accepted and comfortably placed in our belief or thought systems. This topic needs to be analyzed from multiple perspectives to ensure a deeper understanding.

Here, the issue must first be addressed through faith. After the belief in Allah, which is the primary tenet of Islam and other past religions, belief in angels comes second in importance. When a person uses the faculties granted to their humanity, especially their intellect, they realize that the universe and the beings it interacts with have an existence that points to a creator who is not part of the realm of created beings. Anyone with intellect understands that a village cannot exist without a mayor, a needle cannot be without a master, and an ownerless thing cannot exist. A letter cannot exist without a scribe, we know this. How can it be that this perfectly organized universe exists without a ruler?

Truths About Angels

Through this reasoning system, we deduce the existence of the Creator from the world we constantly observe through the beings around us, which is the equivalent of the concept of faith. Faith is used for entities and truths that we are certain of their existence, even though we cannot observe them physically or materially, and that we do not reject with our humanity. If the things we have faith in were observable in the material realm through our five senses, we would call it knowledge, not faith. For instance, if someone were to show a pen and ask, “Do you believe that I have a pen in my hand?” our answer would be: “Yes.” We wouldn’t say, “We believe.” If the same person were to do something under a table with their hand and show us a paper with some writing and drawings on it, and then ask, “Do you believe that I have a pen in my hand?” our response would be “Yes, we believe,” and the writing on the paper would be what makes us give this answer.” “Seeing the existence of the pen in hand and rejecting it is knowledge, while not seeing the pen and suddenly seeing writings on a blank sheet leads to the conclusion of faith. Therefore, knowledge and faith are not the same concept. Not every piece of knowledge is faith, and knowing certain religious concepts and expressions is not faith either. Belief in the Creator can be rationally grounded, and similarly, belief in angels and other such matters is a truth that should also be rationally established.”

Invisible Guides: The Silent Presence of Angels

After attributing existence and being to a Creator, I see the perfect harmony in existence itself, and the meanings that every being, flower, mountain, and bird individually carries, both systemically and individually. This existence is not and cannot be a chaotic mass of meaningless atoms and molecules created randomly. My humanity rejects this, and this truth cannot be denied by anyone. In fact, it is a widely accepted belief that the individual form, color, scent, and even the number of roses carry meaning in existence. To give a few examples: pink roses symbolize romance, red roses represent love and passion, white roses symbolize innocence, yellow roses stand for friendship, a single rose represents distinction and uniqueness, and a bouquet of roses carries the meaning of depth and richness. The rose, with its existence, teaches me about the One who created it. This truth, which my humanity cannot reject, is affirmed by revelation, namely the Qur’an, through the lesson given by existence itself. The angels are the means that carry the endless meanings of the Creator’s will, and through the existence of creation, they convey these meanings to my consciousness and save me from meaninglessness. Thus, the book in which the divine speaks to me through creation, with its words, and the angels, who reveal the infinite meanings with the Creator’s will, are the ways in which the divine’s message reaches my awareness.

When we look at a rose and disregard its dimension of meaning, assuming that we could do so — which, as humans, we cannot — the rose becomes a state devoid of meaning. It transforms into an existence where its movements are explained by forces, and it is without any clear purpose, origin, or destination, even though it has taught angels.

Angels are the beings with whom we are constantly in contact in our lives. We confirm their existence through our humanity, as they are validated through the book and the prophet, with God’s speech (the divine word) resonating with us. They are the instruments through which the Creator’s will is manifested upon creation and existence. The angels carry meanings that are conveyed to me and brought into my consciousness. Though angels are not visible, they are confirmed by our humanity and intellectually recognized. Angels are not far from us; they are always in our consciousness, existing in the unseen, though never lost.