Are Angels Intelligent Beings?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: I know certain nouns in Arabic are considered ‘aqil (intelligent) and others are ghair ‘aqil (non-intelligent). Specifically, I was wondering how angels are considered for this, especially in reference to surah u-qadr.

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

Angels are intelligent (`aqil) beings.

They are beings with bodies of light who are capable of changing form to assume various appearances. [Keller, Reliance of the Traveler]

A single angel is called a malak, derived from mal’aka meaning message. [Ibn Faris, Mu`jam Maqayis al-Lugha]

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani