The existence of heavenly beings, which the Shari‘a calls angels and other spiritual beings, is as evident as that of humanity and animals. Reality and universal wisdom require that the heavens should have conscious inhabitants, as does Earth, for Earth, although insignificant when compared with the heavens, is continually filled with and emptied of conscious beings.

I take refuge in God from the accursed Satan.
In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
The Angels and the Spirit descend in (the Night of Power) by the leave of their Lord. (97:4)
Say: "The Spirit is of my Lord's Command." (17:85)

Introduction

The existence of heavenly beings, which the Shari‘a calls angels and other spiritual beings, is as evident as that of humanity and animals. Reality and universal wisdom require that the heavens should have conscious inhabitants, as does Earth, for Earth, although insignificant when compared with the heavens, is continually filled with and emptied of conscious beings. This indicates that the heavens, which resemble decorated castles with awe-inspiring towers, are filled with the perfect class of living creatures, conscious beings who have perception and are the light of existence. Angels, just like jinn and humanity, observe creation's universal palace, study this Book of the Universe, and proclaim their Lord's Sovereignty. Through their comprehensive worship, they manifest creation's praises of God.

The universe requires the existence of angels, for its finely adorned art works, meaningful decorations, and purposeful, delicate embroideries demand sentient beings to reflect upon, as well as praise and commend, their perfection in full appreciation. Just as a beauty needs a lover and food is given to the hungry, so the food provided for souls and hearts through this infinite beauty of art is first of all related to the existence of angels and other spirit beings. The universe's infinite beauty and majesty calls for a response that must be of an infinite duty of reflection and servanthood. Since jinn and humanity cannot provide this, countless angels and spirit beings fill the great mosque of existence with rows arranged in worship of the Creator, for each band has its own specific duty of servanthood. This is implied by Prophetic sayings and shown in the universe's order. For example, angels use some mobile objects (e.g., stars or raindrops) as vehicles to travel through the material world, praising and glorifying God.

Furthermore, certain types of living bodies provide vehicles for some souls. For example, a Tradition says that the souls of Paradise's inhabitants enter the "green birds" of Paradise in the Intermediate World of the grave and travel around Paradise in them. Such birds, even some flies, belong to these groups of living bodies. Souls enter them, observe creation's wonders through their senses, and glorify the Creator on their behalf. Reality and Divine Wisdom require this. Just as God breathed life into gross clay and muddy water, which have little to do with the spirit, and thereby produced numerous conscious beings, so does He create certain types of intelligent beings from light and other subtle substances (e.g., air and electricity), as they are more appropriate for the creation of the spirit and life.

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