Why Is the World Meaningless Without Angels? A Reevaluation of the Role of Angels in the Universe
If we consider the world merely as a collection of material forces and blind natural laws, an important question remains unanswered: Where do the marvelous harmony in existence, the permanent discipline in the world, and the constant care for the smallest details of the aspects of human life come from?
Divine laws show that behind every climate change, every cell movement, and every stage of our growth, there exists a vast array of active celestial beings, which the Quran refers to as “the honored servants of God” [1]. They have a mission to manifest the divine will throughout all dimensions of existence. A proper understanding of the role of angels in the universe is not merely a theological discussion but rather a reinterpretation of human identity and their status in the system of creation.
The Role of Angels in the Universe and Their Existential Compatibility with the Human Being
The discussion about the role of angels in the universe does not end by merely outlining their missions; rather, it begins with understanding their relationship with the human being. According to the Holy Quran, verse thirty-four of Surah Al-Baqarah [2], this relationship starts with God’s command to the angels to prostrate to Adam. The prostration of angels before Adam does not mean they worship Adam, rather, it means they acknowledge Adam’s existential status. It also shows that there is a relationship between the human being and the celestial realms. This command mentioned in the Quran shifts our perspective about the human being’s status and our existential relationship with angels: Humans are not beings living under the management of angels; rather, the compatibility and harmony between the human being and angels necessitate that the active forces of existence serve and be aligned with the human being. Angels are the governing forces of the world. The aim of their activities—whether in the heavens, on earth, or in Barzakh and on the Judgement Day— is to help the human being to reach the ultimate purpose of human creation.
From this perspective, understanding the role of angels in the universe is, in fact, understanding the human being’s status in the geometry of existence. Billions of angels have been assigned to pave the way for the growth, guidance, and perfection of the human being. The only being that aligns with angels is the human, while their enemy is Satan, who has a fundamentally different essence and is incompatible with the human being.
The Role of Angels in Constant Management of the World and Preparing It for Human Life
The creation and management of the universe cannot be explained without the involvement of angels. What we call “natural laws” is a discipline realized through the continuous activity of angels [3]. The Holy Quran also introduces angels as intermediaries for providing sustenance, managing affairs [4], and executing God’s commands [5][6][7].
From the very beginning of creation, angels were tasked with preparing the universe for the presence of the human being. Determining the size of the sun, its distance from the Earth, the formation of the atmosphere, the flow of winds, the continuity of the water cycle, and stabilizing the living conditions are examples of laying the groundwork for many things in the universe by celestial beings [8]. This explanation reveals further dimensions of the role of angels in the universe: Angels are not only guardians of the existing discipline of nature; they are also celestial engineers who have organized the systems, laws, and perfect harmony of the universe for human life.
The diversity in plants and animals, the astonishing coherence of the ecosystem, and the complex environmental interconnectedness are all part of this management. Every element of nature is created to complement human needs, and this harmony is the result of the continuous activity of angels throughout the history of creation. This level of harmony in the world indicates that angels do not have a superficial role, rather, they play a structural and fundamental role.
The Role of Angels in Designing Human Existence
The companionship of angels with humans begins even before conception. According to the narrations of the Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them), a person is under the surveillance and care of angels at any moment of their existence [9], whether in their mother’s womb or after death. In the womb, each stage of fetal development is managed by a group of angels. Some are tasked with shaping bones and others with organizing body tissues; some are responsible for giving life to cells.
Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) mentions in his supplication on the day of Arafah that even in three veils of darkness of the womb, God takes care of us through angels. This supplication affirms the extent of angelic presence. In other words, it shows that we are under divine management in every aspect of life.
This supervision and companionship continue after birth as well. It has been mentioned in numerous narrations that every person is under the care of different types of angels including guardian angels, the bearers of revelation [10], those who record everything, inspire them toward good [11], protect them from danger, and manage the spiritual matters throughout human life. This vast network that consists of the majority of angels once again highlights the importance of the role of angels in the universe and their relationship with the human being’s spiritual and moral growth.
Angels, the Friends and Guests of the Human Being on the Path to Perfection
Angels are not only the managers of the world but also the “friends” and “guests” of the human being. This expression establishes that the human being is the host of celestial beings. In Sahifa Sajjadiya, a book containing Imam Sajjad’s supplications, it has been mentioned how we should honor angels: A person should greet their guardian angels throughout the day, be fond of them, and behave in such a way that when angels leave them, the angels feel pleased with their actions and behavior.
This level of interaction between the human being and angels reveals a new dimension of the role of angels in the universe: Angels are not merely executors of God’s commands; they are spiritual companions sent to help us grow, bring us peace, and guide us. If the prostration of angels before Adam signifies compatibility, then our hospitality to angels reflects the nobility of our behavior and our awareness of our own celestial status.
The Role of Angels in Bringing Peace into Our Lives and Planning the Unseen Matters
Another important role of angels is providing emotional and psychological security for us. Angels are tasked with protecting us from many dangers, calamities, and destructive influences. Part of this activity occurs in the unseen layers of existence, which we remain unaware of; furthermore, angels act as channels for divine inspiration, strengthening our moral conscience and guiding our hearts.
Understanding the reality that we are under the care of a vast network of angels at every moment fosters a sense of spiritual responsibility in us; our behavior should reflect that we are aware of the presence of beings who are honored servants of God. This understanding also changes our view about the world because existence is no longer merely a collection of lifeless things and random forces but rather a realm in which angels do their duties actively.
As the various dimensions of the role of angels in the universe become clear, a natural question arises: Do these noble beings not deserve our gratitude? Certainly, only God is worthy of worship; however, valuing angels is actually a way of acknowledging God’s orders and recognizing how perfectly He manages the world.
Every breath we take, every cell regenerated by the body, every danger that is prevented, and every inspiration that guides us toward good is a result of the continuous activity of angels. Therefore, expressing gratitude toward them and building a heartfelt connection with them is a form of recognition of God’s boundless mercy.
This awareness pulls us out of negligence and makes us achieve a monotheistic perspective about the world. It is because we understand that no moment passes without divine grace and the activity of these celestial intermediaries.
In this article, we have shown that the role of angels in the universe is a fundamental truth. From the very beginning of creation to the formation of the human being, from managing nature to fetal development, from unseen protections to spiritual guidance, angels are continuously active. Whatever they do, they do for the sake of the human being and helping them to achieve perfection. In other words, they are in the service of the human being. Human beings and angels have an existential, lasting, and friendly relationship. Understanding this truth opens new horizons of divine knowledge. Gratitude toward angels is, in essence, gratitude toward God, who executes His wise planning through these noble servants.
References
[1]. Quran, 21:26
[2] . “And [remember] when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate before Adam,’ so they all did—but not Iblîs, who refused and acted arrogantly,3 becoming unfaithful.”
[3]. Murtadha Mutahhari, Master and Mastership. Trans. Mustajab Ahmad Ansari. Islamic Seminary Publications, 1980, p. 22.
[4]. “and those [angels] conducting affairs [obediently].” (Quran: 79:5)
[5]. “and [the angels] administering affairs by [Allah’s] command!” (Quran, 51: 4)
[6]. “They [Angels] fear their Lord above them, and do whatever they are commanded.” (Quran, 16:50)
[7]. “O believers! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, overseen by formidable and severe angels, who never disobey whatever Allah orders—always doing as commanded.” (Quran, 66:6)
[8]. Nahj al-Balagha, sermon 91.
[9]. Imam Muhammad Baqer (Peace be upon him): “… by the Command of Allah (protecting) him from falling into a well, or a wall falling upon him, and something hitting him, until when the Pre-determination comes, they vacate between him and it and hand him over to the Pre-determinations, and these are two Angels protecting him at night and two Angels protecting him at daytime, in succession.” (Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 56, p.220, hadith 16)
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his family): “God, the Exalted, has appointed guardians over every servant, from among all His creations and angels, who watch over him from his front and back, by God’s command. They record his deeds, words, phrases, and even his glances. The places he frequents bear witness to his actions, and will testify for or against him.” (Ibid, vol. 7, p. 338, hadith 11)
[10]. “Some of them are trustworthy custodians of Our revelation, commissioned to convey the trusts of Our command and prohibition to the prophets, and protected from doubts and uncertainties, so that none of them deviate from the path of God’s pleasure.” (Nahj al-Balagha, sermon 91)
[11]. Imam Sadiq (Peace be upon him): “There is no believer except that their heart has two inner ears: one ear that Satan whispers into, and another ear that the angel whispers into. God strengthens the believer through the angel, and this is the meaning of God’s words: ‘We strengthened them with a spirit from Ourselves.’”