Physical characteristics of Angels

What they were created from and when

The substance from which Allah created angels is light. It is narrated on the authority of `A'ishah that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: "The angels were created from light, the jinn were created from smokeless fire, and Adam was created from that which has been described to you (i.e. in the Quraan, which is clay)." [Muslim]

Prophet Muhammad (saws) did not explain what light this is that they were created from. Hence we cannot indulge in trying to say more about this matter, because it is the matter of the unseen concerning which no further clarification has been narrated, apart from this Hadith.

We do not know when the angels were created, for Allah has not informed us about that. But we do know that they were created before Adam the father of mankind. Allah has told us that He informed the angels that He was going to create a Khaleefah on earth. Allah says in the Quraan:
"And (mention, O Muhammad), when your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority." [2:30]
 

Allah also says:

"And when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My soul, then fall down to him in prostration." [15:29]

Seeing the angels

Because the angels have bodies of light which are of low density, mankind cannot see them, especially since Allah has not given our eyes the ability to see them.

No one has seen the angels in their true form apart from Prophet Muhammad (saws). He (saws) saw Jibreel twice in the form in which Allah created him.

On the other hand, different texts indicate that human beings were able to see the angels in human form. An example for this is the long Hadith, 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab said: "One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (saws) there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no signs of journeying were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He walked up and sat down by the Prophet (saws). Resting his knees against his and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs, he said: 'O Muhammad, tell me about Islam…..'" After asking the Prophet (saws) other questions, the visitor left and the Prophet (saws) said to 'Umar: "O 'Umar, do you know who the questioner was?" 'Umar may Allah be pleased with him said: 'Allah and His Messenger know best'. He (saws) said: 'He was Jibreel; he came to teach you your religion.'" [Muslim]

Their great physical size

Allah says concerning the angels of Hell:

"O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are (appointed) angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded." [66:6]

It will be sufficient in this regard to quote the narrations which speak of two noble angels.
 

The great size of Jibreel

The Messenger of Allah (saws) saw Jibreel twice in the angelic form in which Allah created him. These two occasions are mentioned in the verse:

"And he (i.e. Muhammad) has already seen him (i.e. Jibreel) in the clear horizon." [81:23]

And the verse:
"And he certainly saw him in another descent. At the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary. Near it is the Garden of Refuge (i.e. Paradise)." [53:13-15]
 

That was when he (saws) was taken up to the highest heaven during his miraculous ascension to heaven.

It is narrated that `A'ishah said: "I asked the Messenger of Allah (saws) about these two verses. He said, "That is Jibreel; I never saw him in the form in which Allah created him except on these two occasions. I saw him descending from the heavens, with his huge size filling the horizon between the heaven and the earth." [Muslim]

`A'ishah was asked about the verse: "Then he (Jibreel) approached and descended." [53:8]

"This means green cushions, filling the horizons." [Al-Bukhari]

These cushions that filled the horizons were what Jibreel was seated upon. Ibn Mas'ood also said, "The Prophet of Allah (saws) saw Jibreel with his own eyes, on a cushion which filled the space between heaven and earth."

'Abdullah Ibn Mas'ood said: "The Messenger of Allah (saws) saw Jibreel in his true form. He had six hundred wings, each of which filled the horizon, and there were multi-coloured pearls and rubies falling from his wings." [Ahmad]

Allah says, describing Jibreel:
"…Indeed, it (i.e. the Quraan) is a word (conveyed by) a noble messenger (i.e. Jibreel). (Who is) possessed of power and with the Owner of the Throne, secure (in position). Obeyed there (in the heavens) and trustworthy." [81:19-21]
What is meant by the "most honourable messenger" here is Jibreel, and the Lord of the Throne is the Lord.

The great size of the bearers of the Throne

Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: "I have been granted permission to speak about one of the angels of Allah, one of the bearers of the Throne. The distance from his earlobes to his shoulders is the distance of a seven - hundred year journey." [Abu Dawood]

Anas Ibn Maalik narrated that the Prophet (saws) said: "I have been granted permission to speak to an angel, one of the bearers of the Throne. His feet are in the lowest earth and the Throne is resting on his horn. The distance from his earlobe to his shoulder is like that of a bird flying for seven hundred years. That angel says, 'Glory be to You, wherever You are.'" [At-Tabarani]

The wings of the angels

The angels have wings, as Allah has informed us. Some of them have two wings, some have three or four, and some have more than that.
Allah says in the Noble Quraan: "(All) praise is (due) to Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, (Who) made the angels messengers having wings, two or three or four. He increases in creation what He wills. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent." [35:1]

Moreover, We have already mentioned (in part one) the narration in which the Messenger (saws) stated that Jibreel has six hundred wings.

The beauty of the angels

Allah has created them in a noble and beautiful form, as Allah says of Jibreel: "…(The Quraan was) Taught to him by one intense in strength (i.e. Jibreel) —One of soundness. And he rose to (his) true form." [53:5-6]

Ibn Abbaas said: "(one of soundness) means one whose appearance is beautiful." Qataadah said regard the same Ayah: "One whose form is tall and beautiful."

There is no contradiction between the two views, for he (Jibreel) is both strong and of a beautiful appearance.

The idea that angels are beautiful is well-established in people's minds, just as the idea that devils are ugly is also well-established. Hence, we often hear people liken beautiful human beings to angels. Look at what the women said when they saw Prophet Yoosuf (as) in the Ayah: "And when they saw him, they greatly admired him and cut their hands and said, “Perfect is Allah! This is not a man; this is none but a noble angel!' [12:31]
 

Similarity in appearance and form between angels and humans

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: "The Prophets were shown to me (during his ascension), and I saw Moosaa, a man of average build, looking like one of the men of (the tribe of) Shanu'ah. And I saw `Eesa Ibn Maryam, and the person I have seen who most resembles him is `Urwah Ibn Mas'ood. And I saw Ibraheem, and the one who most resembles him is your Companion (meaning himself). And I saw Jibreel; the person I have seen who most resembles him is Dihyah." [Muslim and At-Tirmithi]

Is this a similarity between Jibreel's true form, or the form which Jibreel took when he appeared in human form? Certainly, it is the latter, because as we shall see, Jibreel often used to appear in the form of Dihyah Ibn Khaleefah. This is proven by the narrations in which the Prophet (saws) described Jibreel in his real shape having six hundred wings.

Variations in their physical shape and status

The angels are not all the same in their physical shape and status. Some of them have two wings, some have three, and Jibreel has six hundred wings. They vary in their status before their Lord, Most High. Allah says: "(The angels say), 'There is not among us any except that he has a known position." [37:164]
As concerning Jibreel, Allah says: "(That) indeed, it (i.e. the Quraan) is a word (conveyed by) a noble messenger (i.e. Jibreel). (Who is) possessed of power and with the Owner of the Throne, secure (in position)." [81:19-20]
This means that he (Jibreel) has a high status and important rank before Allah.

The best of the angels are those who were present at the battle of Badr. Rafaa'ah Ibn Raafi' narrated that Jibreel came to the Prophet (saws) and said: "What do you think of the people of Badr among you (i.e., who were present at Badr)?" He (saws) said, "They are the best of the Muslims" or similar words. Jibreel said: "The same is true regarding the angels who were present at Badr." [Al-Bukhari]