A050
Surah: 016 - Ayah: 050
Click here to see the translations
16:50
What way should a mu'min follow in order to recognise the angels? Or come closer to them? Or attain their tayid (help)? The answer is that, since there is the straight path (sirat-i mustaqim), what need is there for any other path? What is needed is the same complete obedience which is accomplished in the light of the farmans of God, the Prophet and the Imam of the time. The blessed farmans of the light of Imamat are full of guidance concerning spiritual progress. In short, it is the mu'min who can become an angel through obedience, Hbadat and true knowledge. Some of the characteristics of angels are: (a) perfect obedience (16:50), (b) fear of God (16:50), (c) humility (21:19), (d) abundant remembrance of God and ibadat (21:20), (e) knowledge and wisdom (40:7), (f) well-wishing and prayer for mu'mins (40:7), (g) service (help) and friendship of the people of faith (41:31; 58:22).
Soul and Angel
Q. 33. What is the relation between the soul (ruh) and the angel, and what is the relation of an angel to light? Can there be many separate lights or is it only one?
A. Sometimes the soul is called an angel and an angel is called the soul. In this case this case there is no difference between them. Nonetheless, there is also a difference between the two, which is that among the souls there are good ones and bad ones, but the angels are all good, that is to say, they are obedient to their Lord (16:50). Thus, the souls who have reached the apex of perfection in obedience have become angels. For, it is the souls of the mumin men and women from which the angels come in to being. As for the relation of the angel to light, if the angel is a great one, he is light, as a great soul is also called light. The moons and stars of the light (of religion) can be separate, but they are one, not only in the fountainhead of the light, i.e. the sun of religion, but also in the light which is spread through them.
Animal fear, which is devoid of intellect, understanding, knowledge and wisdom, comes to man along with the animal soul. But in man it becomes false fear, for here there is the possibility of the fear of God, which is in the form of knowledge and is of an angelic nature. That is, the fear which is in the angels (16:50), in the hearts of the Prophets (33:39) and the awliya' (10:62) and which the people of knowledge can recognise. It is this kind of fear which is called taqwa and which is meant by the Qur’an. And it is this medicine which removes the disease of false fear.
This verse has been referred 1 times.