Foundations · The Six Pillars of Iman

Exploring Islamic Angelology and Faith Beliefs

Test your knowledge of angels' roles and beliefs in Islam.

7 questions · Easy · about 4 minutes

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7 questions, about 4 minutes.

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Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 7 questions.

1. What is the proper stance on whether angels see Allah in this world?

  • Do not affirm or deny it without evidence. (correct answer)
  • Say with certainty that every angel sees Allah.
  • Say with certainty that no angel can ever see Allah.
  • Treat it as a matter known by ordinary observation.

Why

Whether angels see Allah is a matter of the unseen. Such matters should only be affirmed or denied on the basis of evidence.

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2. Can people other than Prophets see angels in human form?

  • Yes, this is proven in reports about the Companions and earlier nations. (correct answer)
  • No, only Prophets can ever see angels in any form.
  • No, angels can never appear in human form.
  • Yes, but only babies can see them.

Why

Angels may appear in forms other than their true form. Reports mention Companions seeing angels in human form, but there is no evidence for claiming that only children can see them.

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3. How may angels know what is in a person’s heart?

  • Allah may inform them or grant them a way to know. (correct answer)
  • They know independently of Allah.
  • They only guess from outward appearance.
  • They learn it from the person’s family.

Why

Angels do not have independent knowledge apart from Allah. They may know what is in a person’s heart because Allah informs them or gives them a means by which they can know.

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4. What were angels created from?

  • Light. (correct answer)
  • Fire.
  • Clay.
  • Smoke.

Why

Angels belong to the unseen world and were created by Allah from light.

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5. Why was Iblis not an angel?

  • He was one of the jinn, and jinn have free will. (correct answer)
  • Angels can disobey Allah whenever they choose.
  • Angels and jinn are the same creation.
  • Iblis was created from light like the angels.

Why

Iblis was from the jinn, not the angels. Angels do not disobey Allah, while jinn have free will and include both Muslims and disbelievers.

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6. Which statement is true about the size and status of angels?

  • Angels vary in size and status. (correct answer)
  • All angels are identical in size.
  • Angels have no differences in virtue.
  • Angels are all small and weak.

Why

Angels are not all the same in size or rank. The source mentions differences among them and gives examples of great angels such as Jibreel and the angels who carry the Throne.

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7. What is the role of the recording angels?

  • To record a person’s good and bad deeds. (correct answer)
  • To create people’s actions.
  • To decide who enters Paradise.
  • To replace Allah’s knowledge of people.

Why

Recording angels are appointed to record what people do, both good and bad. Allah already knows everything, but He appoints witnesses by His perfect justice.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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