Angels can be transformed to appear like human beings as in the case of Ibrahiim (PBH) and Lut (PBH) 11:69-83, 6:9. Human beings too can be transformed into angels, if Allah (SWT) wills 43:60. Angels are associated with Jibriil (PBH) ‘The Ruuh’ and come down with him with the messages of Allah (SWT) 16:2 and also during Lailat-ul-Qadr (27th Ramadan) for all affairs 97:4. Derivatives of the root alphabets also mean power 7:188, control 23:88, master or owner 3:26, king 12:43 etc. In view of these meanings the word ‘Malaaaik’ translated as ‘Angels’ could also mean ‘Energies’ or ‘Power’.

Angels were ordered to bow down before Adam (PBH) but Iblis was questioned for his not bowing down 7:11-12 although he is a jinn, 18:50. This indicates that the word Malaaaik, at least here, conveys the meaning of energies because Iblis is not an angel, still he was included in the order. All energies in the form of angels bowed down before Adam (PBH) except the evil energy in the form of the devil or Iblis.

The sole reason for the scientific and technological progress of man control on various energies. If this control on energies granted by Allah (SWT) by making all angels (energies) to bow down before Adam (PBH) or man is withdrawn by Him, the whole building of Scientific and Technological progress would collapse and probably the whole human race would perish.

Angels praise, glorify obey the orders of and bow down before Allah (SWT) out of reverence for Him which He alone deserves. Their bowing down before man cannot therefore be due to reverence, it could just mean their exhibition of obeying the orders of Allah (SWT) to come under the control of man in the form of various energies so that he could use them for his advancement, their does not appear to be any other concrete reason for the angels to bow down before man in addition to their bowing down before Allah (SWT). This indicates that the whole scientific and technological progress of man is the gift of Allah (SWT) and not his achievement, his achievement would be to bring under control the evil energy of the devil which refused to surrender before him because this is the only way he can enter paradise. On the contrary many men have surrendered to the devil who will lead them to hell. Angels have the capability of lifting weight 2:248 which again hints that they possess energy. They record human deeds 50:17-18, 82:10-11, protect and monitor them 13:11, ask for protective forgiveness of those on earth 42:5, shower mercy on the believer 33:43, descend on them with good news 41:30-32, help 3:125 and influence them 8:12. They shower mercy on prophet Muhammed (PBH) 33:56. They curse and punish the infields 2:161, 8:12 and bring about disaster 15:63. They cause to die 32:11, 16:32, 8:50.

They ascend towards Allah (SWT) in a period which is 50,000 yrs 70:4 and will come down with Him on the day of resurrection to stand in ranks along with Jibriil (PBT) 78:38. On the day of judgment they will be around the throne of Allah (SWT) glorifying and praising Him 69:1618, 39:75, they will console the believers 21:103 and welcome them to paradise 13:23-24, 39:73. Many angels are incharge of hell too 39:71-72, 66:6, 74:31. We are required to believe in their existence and functions given in the Quran 2:285. The Quran gives information about the functions or duties of angels but does not give any information about their form and the substance from which they were created. Hazrat Ayesha (R.A.) quotes the Prophet (PBH) as saying, “Angels have been created from Nuur” [Reported by Muslim].

Angels could therefore be regarded as beings composed of some form of radiant energy or ‘Incharges’ of various energies in the universe whom we cannot perceive through our physical sense but who exert their influence on us without our being conscious of it, just like x-rays which penetrate the human flesh but do not impart any feeling to the human being concerned. Angels are thus beings the effect of whose work is visible but they themselves are not visible.

SHAYAATINIHIM (devils) Shaytaan is the same as Ibliis the devil, who was associated with Adam (PBH) 2:34-36, 7:27. Ibliis belongs to the category of the jinn having descendants 18:50, a tribe 7:27, and an army 26:95. Probably all the three words refer to his progeny, like the progeny of Adam (PBH) about whom he had said that he would bring them under his control except a few. It appears that one member from his progeny is associated with one member of the progeny of Adam (PBH) which is also indicated in one of the sayings of Prophet Muhammed (PBH) reported under word No 42:1. He has been created to distinguish between the believers in the hereafter and others who are in doubt about it 34:21 probably due to his deceptive temptation through his evil instigations 4:120. Ibliis did not bow down before Adam (PBH) considering himself better than him and claiming superiority and seniority that he was created earlier from fire (energy) whereas Adam (PBH) was created from clay (matter). Therefore Allah (SWT) drove him away, but he sought His permission and promised that he would mislead mankind from the straight path leading to paradise except those who serve/worship only Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) too announced that He would fill hell with him and his followers 7:11-18, 38:82-83, 17:64. Ibliis deceived Adam and Hawwa (PBT) tempting them to eat from the forbidden tree, due to which their shame became manifest and Allah (SWT) sent them out of the garden 2:36, 7:19-25.

The devil is an open enemy of mankind therefore he should not be obeyed, worshipped or served 36:60. He enjoins on mankind only evil and that which is indecent 2:168-169, 24:21. Friends of devils, i.e. those who follow his evil suggestions, are at loss 4:119. The devil tempts mankind 7:27, makes false promises, excites vain desires 4:120, causes to forget good things 6:68, makes evil deeds fairseeming 6:43, involves people in intoxicants and games of chance to evoke mutual hatred and enmity 5:90-91 spoils social relations through conversation, we are therefore ordered to speak that which is the best 17:53, makes people afraid of poverty while spending for a good cause 2:268 and he causes weakening uneasiness during wars with infields 8:11. If we do not remember Allah (SWT) i.e. if we do not always keep Him in mind, He Himself appoints a devil on us who turns us away from the right path but we think that we are rightly guided 43:36-37. The devil also makes people forget the remembrance of Allah (SWT) 58:19. Devils are from the jinn as well as human beings 6: 112,114:16. Devils were made to work for Sulaymaan (PBH) 38:36-38, 21:82. The sky has been protected from them and if any one seeks to steal a hearing a clear flame follows him 15:16-18, 37:6-10, 67:5. Divine communications cannot be polluted by them 22:5254. They have not come down with the Quran and it does not suit them, they have been kept away even from listening to it 26:210-212, 81:25.

We should seek the protection of Allah (SWT) from the evil instigations of the devils and remember Him when we feel their influence on us, then we will start seeing aright 7:200-201. We should seek the protection of Allah (SWT) while reciting the Quran 16:98-100. We should always pray to Allah (SWT) seeking His protection in accordance with the instructions given in 23:97-98 and 114:1-6.