The Ruling of Supplicating to the Angels Q&A by Shaykh Bin Baaz

It has become a well-known practice amongst the common people to say before going to bed; O Angels of Protection, Awaken me at this hour or at this time, etc?

Answer: This is not permissible, rather it is Shirk Akbar (the major form of idolatry that takes one out of the fold of Islam) because it is a considered supplicating to other than Allah and seeking assistance from the unseen. It is just like seeking assistance from the Jinn, or the idols, or from the dead based on the general statement of the Most High:

“The Mosques are for Allah so do not supplicate along with Allah anyone else.” Soorat-ul-Jinn: 18
And the Glorified says:

“That is because Allah is your Lord to Him belongs the dominion. Those who supplicate to others besides him do not even own the grooves embedded within a date stone. If you called on them they do not hear your supplication even if they did hear you they would not be able to respond and on the Day of Judgment they will deny your associating partners with them and none can inform you like the All-Knower.” Soorat-ul-Faatir: 13-14

Therefore the Glorified has labeled supplication to the dead, the idols, the Jinn, or the angels, anything besides him that is supplicated to is considered Shirk. The Mighty & Majestic says:

“Indeed there were men from amongst mankind who took refuge amongst the men of the Jinn but they only increased in sin and transgression.” Soorat-ul-Jinn: 6

And the Glorified said:

“Whoever supplicates to another god along with Allah without evidence then indeed his reckoning will be with his Lord. He does not grant success to the disbelievers / the ungrateful.” Soorat-ul-Mu’minoon: 117

So He has named those who supplicate to others besides Him as disbelievers / ungrateful. This is generally applied to all of those supplicated to besides Allah such as the dead, the idols, the Jinn, or the angels. There is no exception to that except for the one who is alive and present and possess the ability to do things based on the statement of Allah, the Glorified in the story of Moses:

“So he sought assistance from one who was from his group against the one who was his enemy.” Soorat-ul-Qisas: 15

And from this type of Shirk is the saying of some people; O Jinn! Take it O Sab’ah! Take it! Or “O Jinn of the noon-time! Take it.” Or “O Jinn of such and such people” or “O Jinn of the land of such and such person”. All of this is Shirk Akbar and a supplication to other than Allah to those who are not present. So if one says “O Angels awaken me” or “protect me” then this is considered Shirk Akbar. Or if one says “O Jinn of the dwelling, protect me” or “awaken me” this is Shirk Akbar in which we seek refuge in Allah from.

It is obligatory for the Muslim to be cautious of this and to seek protection in Allah alone, to ask from Him alone for He is sufficient. He is the one who is able to do anything and the Mighty & Majestic says:

“Supplicate to me and I will respond to you.” Soorat-ul-Ghaafir: 60

And He, the Glorified says:

“When My servants ask from Me indeed I am near, I respond to the supplication of the one who supplicates to Me. So seek from Me and believe in Me so that you may be guided.” Soorat-ul-Baqarah: 186

And the Prophet (may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “When you ask, then ask Allah. And when you seek assistance, seek it from Allah.”

I ask Allah to grant success to all of the Muslims in understanding His religion and safety from the causes of His anger, indeed He is the All-Hearing, the One who is close.

Shaykh Bin Baaz

Translated by Thomas Maldonado

Source: http://www.ibnbaz.org.sa/mat/182