Juz 24: Az-Zumar 32 to Fuṣṣilat 46
Section 8 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
8. Angels Who Carry Allah's Throne Making Dua for Believers
Among the most beautiful and encouraging passages in Surah Ghafir is the revelation about the angels who bear Allah's Throne and those surrounding it. These exalted angels, closest to Allah (swt), continuously engage in a remarkable act of devotion that directly benefits the believers:
ٱلَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ ٱلْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُۥ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟
“Those who bear the Throne and those around it pronounce the purity of their Lord along with His praise, and believe in Him, and seek forgiveness for those who believe.”
This verse reveals that the most honored angels in creation are engaged in three continuous acts of worship: glorifying Allah with His praise, affirming their belief in Him, and seeking forgiveness for the believers on earth. This last action is particularly comforting for the believers to know that such noble creatures are interceding for them with Allah.
The supplication of these angels is then elaborated in beautiful detail:
رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍۢ رَّحْمَةًۭ وَعِلْمًۭا فَٱغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
“Our Lord! Your mercy and knowledge comprehend all things; so forgive those who repent and follow Your way, and save them from the punishment of the Fire.”
The angels begin by acknowledging Allah's all-encompassing mercy and knowledge before requesting forgiveness specifically for those who have taken two essential steps: repenting from their sins and following Allah's path. This implies that sincere repentance must be accompanied by righteous conduct and adherence to divine guidance.
The angels then continue their supplication:
رَبَّنَا وَأَدْخِلْهُمْ جَنَّـٰتِ عَدْنٍ ٱلَّتِى وَعَدتَّهُمْ وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنْ ءَابَآئِهِمْ وَأَزْوَٰجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
“Our Lord! Admit them to the Gardens of Eternity that You have promised them, and (admit) those as well who are righteous from their fathers and their spouses and their progeny. Surely You are the Mighty, the Wise.”
What is remarkable here is that the angels do not limit their prayers to individual believers, but extend them to include the righteous members of believers' families across generations. This highlights the importance of family in Islam and suggests that the righteousness of one person can become a source of blessing for their entire family. The specification that these family members must themselves be "righteous" (ṣalaḥa) indicates that while family connections are important, individual accountability remains paramount.
The angels conclude their supplication by asking for protection from all evils:
وَقِهِمُ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ ۚ وَمَن تَقِ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ يَوْمَئ
“and save them from evils (of punishment). And whomsoever you save from evils that day, it is surely because you bless him with mercy. And that is the great achievement indeed.”” (40:9)