A017

Surah: 050 - Ayah: 017

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50:17


Two Companions of Man (Jinn and Angel)

It is mentioned in a Hadith: "There is none among you but he is put in charge of a companion from the jinn and a companion from the angels. The Companions said: And you also, O Messenger of God? He said: I also, but Allah helped me against him and he accepted Islam and does not command me, except to do good (always)." (Musnad-i Ibn Hanbal, I, p. 385)

(1) In this connection, Imam Jafar as-Sadiq has also said: "Every heart has two ears. In one is appointed an angel who guides and in the other a mischievous devil. The former commands to do good and the latter prevents. The devil commands to commit sins and the angel prevents. And this is mentioned in verses (50:17-18)." (Qur'an-i Majid, translation and commentary by Maqbul Ahmad, p. 1140)

(2) This book is presented as proof of spiritual science, therefore, by the help of God, we will try to explain the subtleties of the secrets of spirituality. These two companions of man are the treasure of countless marvels and wonders, such as: (a) They are the two who meet (mutalaqqiyan) as mentioned in verses (50:17-18). This name of theirs is in the sense that according to the law of renewal, two new angels meet every time and thus countless angels and souls get a chance to work in the world of humanity as hafizin (watchers) and kiraman katibin (honourable scribes) (82:10-11).

(3) (b) These angels, who prepare the record of deeds of servants, are known as hafizin and katibin. Their writing is an example and the meaning of it is that every word and deed is automatically recorded in their own selves and the way it has been recorded, speaks. (c) If we study verses (50:16-18) with wisdom and justice, we will come to know clearly that the insinuation which is created in the heart of man is due to his own carnal soul. This shows that the insinuation of Satan is only an echo. (d) It is the carnal soul which, in reality, creates insinuation, whereby man suffers great loss.

(4) (e) The same two angels are also munkar and nakir of the arif’s grave, because when, according to the Sufis and arifs, the spiritual death before the physical death takes place in this life, then necessarily the states of the grave are also experienced. It should be remembered that there are three kinds of graves: physical, spiritual and intellectual. (f) They are also Harut and Marut (2:102) and the two orphan boys whose father was very righteous and had died the death of recognition in his life time (18:82).

(5) (g) According to the law of renewal, countless boys work in the form of the two orphan boys. Therefore, the greatest treasure which is the treasure of recognition, is given to all those boys who attain intellectual maturity (18:82).

(6) Every word of the Holy Prophet, whose words are the most comprehensive, is a casket of gems of wisdom. Thus some of the wisdoms of the above-mentioned Hadith are: (i) This Hadith clearly shows that evil is temporary and therefore it comes to an end and good is permanent and thus lasts forever. The evil comes to an end in the sense that it transforms into good. (ii) The respite which is given to Satan is up to the resurrection (inbiath) (7:14-15). Thus, when the personal resurrection of the arif becomes complete, his personal jinn accepts Islam. (iii) The writing of good and bad deeds always appears on the tablet of the conscience of man. If the writing describes a good deed, it is read immediately by the angel and gives happiness, but if it is of a bad deed, it is read by the jinn and brings sadness.

(7) Verse (43:36) says: "And whosoever goes blind to the remembrance of the Compassionate, We appoint for him a devil who becomes his companion." The opposite wisdom of this verse is that he who truly remembers God, an angel is appointed for him who becomes his companion. Thus those who remember God abundantly are very greatly blessed and an angel is engaged in their work by the command of God.

Practical Sufism and Spiritual Science (111-113)


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