Angels Taking the Shape of Human Beings: It Does Not Mean That They Lie

22-11-2021 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalamualikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu, in the story of the leper, bald and the blind. The angel pretended to be a human. Is this proof that angels can lie with the permission of Allah subhana watala.
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

Allah has given the angels the ability to take the shape of human beings, as Jibreel (Gabriel) may Allaah exalt his mention used to come to the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) in the form of a man.

‘Aa’ishah may Allaah be pleased with him narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said to Al-Haarith ibn Hisham, describing the coming of the revelation:

“The angel comes to me sometimes in the form of a man and speaks to me, and I understand what he says.”

Ibn Hajar may Allaah have mercy upon him said: “This Hadeeth is evidence that the angel takes the shape of a human being ...The truth is that the angel taking the shape of a man does not mean that his essence is turned into a man, but it means that he appeared in that image so that the addressee will not be scared and frightened of him…It is also apparent that the original creation of the angel exists but it is hidden from the beholder only.” [End of quote]

What happened in the Hadeeth of the bald, leper, and blind man is the same. Therefore, it cannot be said that the angel lied with the Will of Allah, but he took the shape of this image [human form] so that the addressee will not be scared and frightened of him and so that the test will take place properly, and this is not lying at all.

As for the angels saying to him: ‘I am poor, I am a wayfarer, etc, then this is Tawriyyah and not a lie either as stated by the interpreters of the Hadeeth.

Hence, it is not said as you mentioned that the angels lie with the Will of Allah, but they are as Allah described them in His Saying (which means): {They do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.} [Quran 66:6]

For more benefit on Angels taking the form of human-beings, please refer to Fatawa 426166, 354220, 86160 and 82159.

For more benefit on the definition of Tawriyyah, please refer to Fatawa 367429 and 351313.

Allah knows best.

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