Question
There is no doubt that when a person is in a gathering of remembrance [of Allah], that tranquility descends upon them, mercy covers them, Allah remembers them before those who are with Him, and that there are angels who attend this gathering. But the question is: if there is an image in the gathering, do the angels still attend?
هل تنزل الملائكة في مجلس فيه صور؟
Answer
Praise be to Allah, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and his companions.
As to what follows:
If the images come under that which is prohibited to capture or possess, then their presence prevents the angels from entering. This is due to the hadith of Abu Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him), wherein the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image.” [Bukhari (3322) and Muslim (2106)]
Also, it is narrated from `A’ishah (peace be upon her), that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Angels do not enter the house in which there are images.” [Muslim (2107)]
The scholars have said that what is meant here are the angels that descend with mercy and blessings, not the angels of protection, nor those responsible for taking away the souls [at death], for such angels do not part away from human beings under any circumstance, and they enter every house.
And Allah knows best.
Your brother,
Khalid bin `Abdullah al-Muslih
17 / 12 / 1424 AH
Praise be to Allah, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and his companions.
As to what follows:
If the images come under that which is prohibited to capture or possess, then their presence prevents the angels from entering. This is due to the hadith of Abu Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him), wherein the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image.” [Bukhari (3322) and Muslim (2106)]
Also, it is narrated from `A’ishah (peace be upon her), that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Angels do not enter the house in which there are images.” [Muslim (2107)]
The scholars have said that what is meant here are the angels that descend with mercy and blessings, not the angels of protection, nor those responsible for taking away the souls [at death], for such angels do not part away from human beings under any circumstance, and they enter every house.
And Allah knows best.
Your brother,
Khalid bin `Abdullah al-Muslih
17 / 12 / 1424 AH
