(Someone sent this to me which I thought was worth sharing, feel free to add to it)
Angels are beings created from light.
A'isha رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said:
"Angels were created from light, Jinn were created from smokeless fire, and Adam was created from that which has been described to you (in the Qur'an and Sunnah)..."(Muslim)
The belief in Angels (al-Mala'kah) is the second article of faith in Islam. Allah says:
"The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. All believe in Allah, His Angels and His Messengers." (Qur'an 2:285)
It is obligatory, and infact an essential part of faith to respect all of the Angels. Therefore, it is unthinkable for Muslims to have any animosity towards any of the Angels, let alone cursing them. Any such action is considered an act of Kaffir (disbelief).
Some Jews once came to the Prophet (PBUH) and told him that they had five questions for him. If He could answer the questions satisfactorily, they would be his followers.
The Prophet (PBUH) answered the first four to their satisfaction, and then they asked him the final question; "There is not any Prophet, except that he has an angel assigned to him as a companion, who brings him news from Allah. So tell us who is your companion ?" The Prophet (PBUH) replied, "Jibreel, (as)." They said, "That is the one who brings down war, fighting and punishment - our enemy. If only you had said Mika'el, who brings down mercy, rain and vegetation, it would have been that we follow you!" Then Allah revealed the reply:
"Say: Who is an enemy to Jibreel? For, it is he who brought it (this Qur'an) down to your hearts, by Allah's permission, confirming that which was before it, and as a guidance and a mercy to the believers. Whoever is an enemy to Allah, and to His Angels, and to His Messengers, and (in particular to) Jibreel and Mika'el, then let him know that Allah is an enemy to the disbeliever."(Qur'an :Al Baqarah 2:97-98)
Related by Ahmad, Al-Timidhi and Al-Nasa'i
The Nature of Angels
Angels are beings created from light.
A'shah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet (saws) said:
"Angels were created from light, jinn were created from smokeless fire, and Adam was created from that which has been described to you (in the Qur'an and Sunnah)."(Muslim)
They do not have desires of their own, neither do they eat or drink. They are honored servants of Allah, and never disobey Him.
They are perpetually in service, in prostration, in a standing posture, or through various other forms of worship.
Allah says:
"Those who are before him are not scornful of worshipping Him, nor do they tire or get bored. They glorify Him night and Day: they do not halt."(Qur'an 21:19-20)
And also:
"They are honoured servants, who do not precede Him in speech, and they act according to His command. He knows what is ahead of them, and they do not intercede, except for those whom He approves."(Qur'an 21:26-27)
Angels are also described as having wings:
"Praise be to Allah, the Originator of the Heavens and the Earth, the creator of angels having wings - two, three and four."(Qur'an 35:1)
However, we should not try to guess the nature or form of these wings. Certainly, there is no basis in Islam, for the corrupt notion, prevalent in the west, that angels are like beautiful little girls with a pair of wings on their backs. We should also be careful that our children are not exposed to those books which contain such misleading pictures, so that they don't grow up with an incorrect concept of angels.
The angels do not have a gender. They do not procreate; Allah has denounced those who regard them as female. Indeed to do so is the way of the disbelievers.
"Those who do not believe in the Hereafter, surely name the angels with female names."(Qur'an 53:27)
The pagan Arabs, for example, called the angels; daughters of Allah, despite the fact that they themselves were disdainful of female offspring, and were so ashamed of them that they were inclined to bury their daughters alive. Allah سبحانه وتعالى thus condemns these ignorant beliefs and practices:
"Or has He (Allah) taken, out of that which He created, daughters, and honoured you with sons ? And, when one of them receives tidings of that which He sets up as a likeness to Allah Most Gracious (i.e. of a girl) his face becomes dark and gloomy and fill of grief....And they consider the angels, who are worshippers of Allah, to be females. Did they witness their creation ? Their testimony shall be recorded, and they will be asked."(Qur'an 43:16,17,19)
Can Angels be Seen??
Prophets can see angels in their natural form. Al-Bukhari recorded that A'ishah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) saw the Angel Jibreel (as) twice in his natural form. However, ordinary people (i.e. non-Prophets) cannot see them unless they (angels) take on a visible form. Angels can indeed take a material form, such as that of handsome man.
An example of this is found in the Qur'an where Allah sent angels to give Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) glad tidings of a son, and then to assist the Prophet Lut (PBUH). Lut's (PBUH) people, being homosexuals, lusted after these angels, but Allah destroyed the depraved sinners.
Allah says:
"And verily, there came our Messengers to Ibrahim with glad tidings. They said 'salaam' (i.e. greetings of peace). He answered, "salaam..."
Qur'an: Hud 11:69-83
Also, in the Qur'an, there is the incident in which the angel Jibreel (as) came to Maryam the mother of Isa (PBUH) to inform her that she would miraculously give birth to Isa (PBUH).
Allah says:
"Then we sent to her our Spirit (angel Jibreel) and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects..."
(Qur'an 19:17-21)
Lastly there is the famous "Hadith Jibreel" related by Muslim, in which angel Jibreel came to the Prophet (PBUH) in the form of a man, and asked him about Islam, Iman and Ihsan. This was done in public view, and its purpose was to teach the people about their religion.
May Allah سبحانه وتعالى keep all of us strong in our Iman (faith) and guide us on the Islam. Ameen
