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

Calling those affected by Deviant Traditions, Advice from Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz

“The Caller to Allah, the Glorious and Lofty, explains the errors and the innovations that are contained within the Madhaahib (opinions of thought formulated from the four schools of Islamic jurisprudence) that the people have been affected with, the ways that they ascribe to, and the environment that they live in. Likewise, he clarifies for them the things that oppose the divine legislation amongst the Jamee’yaat (the Islamic Organizations) and within the societies that they live in.

He invites them to view everything that has been set up against them from a just balance, which is the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace be upon him. So whatever complies with the two or with one of them, then it is considered as being from the Divine Legislation, and whatever opposes them, then the statement is refuted regardless of who the person is that said it.”

Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz
Min Aqwaal Samaahah ash-Shaykh Abdul-Azeez Ibn Baaz fee ad-Da’wah,
Page 106,  
Translated by Thomas Maldonado

The Three Categories that lead to Happiness: Selections from the Lectures of Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz

The author wrote:

{I ask Allah the Noble, Lord of the mighty throne, to protect you in this life and in the hereafter, and that He blesses you wherever you may be. And that He does the following for you; whenever you are given you show gratitude, whenever you are tested you are patient, and whenever you commit a sin that you seek His forgiveness. Indeed these three are the signs to happiness.}
Indeed these three categories are the signs (that lead) to happiness. The author, may Allah have mercy upon him, combined both benefit and supplication for the one seeking knowledge. It is from sincere advice that one supplicates for the seeker of knowledge to be granted success and with what will benefit him. There is no doubt that the seeker when Allah accepts this supplication in its own right he will attain happiness.

As for his statement: {… and that He blesses you wherever you may be. And that He does the following for you; whenever you are given you show gratitude, whenever you are tested you are patient, and whenever you commit a sin that you seek His forgiveness. Indeed these three are the signs to happiness.} These three are indeed the signs (that lead) to happiness so when the believer strives to implement these words then his state of happiness will be complete. He thanks Allah for what He has given him by carrying out His commandments and by leaving His prohibitions. And whenever he commits a sin he seeks forgiveness and repents to Allah. This is the constant condition of the believer. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ((The everyday occurrences of the believer are always amazing within themselves. Everything that happens to him is good. This is reserved for no one else but the believer. If a good thing happens to him he is grateful and it is good for him. And if something bad happens to him he is patient and that is good for him as well.))

It is obligatory for the believer to thank Allah at the time of easiness and blessings like at the time of good health and healthiness, at the blessing of Islam, at the blessing of children, at the blessing of wealth, etc. The believer thanks Allah for it by obeying His commands and by leaving His prohibitions. The Most High says: {{You should know that the family of Daawood (the Prophet, peace be upon him) were grateful.}} Meaning that he obeys His commandments and abstains from His prohibitions and he directs the blessings in obeying al-Mawlaa the Glorified, the Most High just as he is patient and waits at the time of hardship such as sickness or at the death of a child or any other relative, etc. He does not despair or tear his pockets or strike his cheeks nor does he call to the ways of al-Jaahiliyyah. He does not use foul language rather he bears it and remains patient. And at the time of sins he departs with repentance and seeking forgiveness.

From: An Explanation of the Four Principles, by his Eminence, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz. 
Translated by Thomas Maldonado

Books that are recommended for the Duaat (Muslim Preachers) Advice from Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz

“…The greatest and noblest book that I advise you to study is the Book of Allah. Therein there is no falsehood contained within your hands (when you study it) or from behind you (when you are not studying it). I advise every caller to Allah, every person who enjoins the good, every person who forbids the evil, as well as the instructors, teachers, and those who guide the people. Whether one is male or female they must involve themselves in the Book of Allah and reflect upon it. They must also constantly recite it as it is the foundation to every avenue of good. It is the true teacher and the true guide to goodness as the Mighty & Majestic says: {Indeed this Quraan guides to that which is the most upright.} al-Israa’a: 89

It leads by the guidance of Allah to the upright path, to the way of correct direction..it is a must upon every caller, everyone who enjoins the good, all of the teachers, to strive in reading it and reflecting upon it’s meanings. By doing this they will greatly benefit from it.

Then I advise with the Sunnah and the knowledge and guidance revealed within it. And I advise the caller to Allah, the one who enjoins the good and forbids the evil, and the teacher, whether male or female, to review the books of Hadeeth which have been compiled by the people of knowledge so that one may benefit from them. The most important books of Hadeeth and the most authentic are Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim. So therefore constantly review and benefit from them both. And as for the remaining books of Hadeeth then there are the four Sunan, the Musnad of al-Imaam Ahmad, the Muwataa of al-Imaam Maalik, and the Sunan of ad-Daarimee as well as the other well known books of Hadeeth. I also advise to review the beneficial books of the people of knowledge such as al-Muntaqaa by Majd-ud-Deen the grandfather of Ibn Taymiyyah, Riyaadh-us-Saaliheen, Buloogh-ul-Maraam, ‘Umdat-ul-Hadeeth, and Jaami-ul-‘Ilm wa Fadhlihi by Ibn ‘Abdil-Barr and Jaami’-ul-‘Uloom wal-Hukm by al-Haafith Ibn Rajab, and Zaad-ul-Ma’aad fee Hadee Khair-il-‘Ibaad by al-‘Allaamah Ibn-ul-Qayyim, and A’laam-ul-Muwaqqi’een and Tareeq-ul-Hijratayn wa at-Turuq al-Hakeemah all of which are by the same author.

He, may Allah have mercy upon him, mentions a lot of things concerning ad-Da’wah in these books and around the issue of enjoining the good and forbidding the evil.

Therefore it is befitting that the Muslim benefits from them because they are great books authored by Imams and scholars who exerted decisive influence in this way along with possessing a sound Islamic creed and many traits of experience…”

“…Likewise what has been written by Abu-l-‘Abbaas, Shaykh-ul-Islaam, Ibn Taymiyyah in as-Siyaasah ash-Sharee’ah and al-Hisbah fee al-Fataawaa and Manhaaj-us-Sunnah. He is from the great Imams who were experienced in the Islamic sciences, those who excelled in them and whom Allah caused the Ummah (the Islamic nation) to benefit from and aided in the truth while humiliating innovations and its people. May Allah reward him and his brothers from the scholars for their patience and their Jihaad (fighting in the path of Allah) with the best of rewards that those who do good can receive indeed Allah is Generous and Noble.

I advise every Muslim, every teacher, and every person who advises the people to concern themselves with these beneficial books after concerning themselves with the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him. Likewise I advice (reading) those books that have been written concerning this subject by the Imams of knowledge and guidance from the three schools of thought in Islamic jurisprudence; the Maalakiyyah, the Shaafi’iyyah, the Hanafiyyah as well as the other books of the well known Hanbalees of knowledge and guidance and soundness of Islamic creed.

So the objective of the caller is to seek enlightenment from the books authored specifically about this subject from the people of knowledge since these works will direct him to what he is not aware of and point him to the abundant sources of knowledge. Allah the Most High says: {Take a provision for indeed the best provision is at-Taqwaa} al-Baqarah: 197

And there is no doubt that learning and comprehension are from the various forms of at-Taqwaa (God-consciousness).”

Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz
From the book, "Min Aqwaal Samaahah ash-Shaykh Abdul-Azeez Ibn Baaz fee ad-Da’wah"
pgs. 88-90
Translated by Thomas Maldonado

Biography of ash-Shaykh al-‘Alaamah ‘Abdil-Azeez bin Baaz

He is the exemplary Scholar, the Zaahid, mild and forbearing in nature, the Faqeeh, the Muhaddith, the Scholar of Usool and Tawheed, Abu ‘Abdillah ‘Abdil-‘Azeez ibn ‘Abdillah ibn ‘Abdir-Rahmaan ibn Baaz born in the city of Riyaadh on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, 1330 A.H. (Corresponding to the 12th of November, 1912 C.E.) from a good and noble family.

He memorized the Quran before reaching the age of maturity and because of illness lost his eyesight completely at the age of 19, yet despite this he went on to study the Islamic sciences and the Arabic language under a number of major scholars in Riyaadh, from them:

• Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abdil-Lateef bin ‘Abdir-Rahmaan bin Hasan bin ash-Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abdil-Wahhaab (rahimahumullah).

• Shaykh Saalih ibn Abdil-Azeez Aali-Shaykh bin ‘Abdir-Rahmaan bin Husayn bin ash-Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abdil-Wahhaab (rahimahumullah).

• Shaykh Sa’d bin Hamad bin ‘Ateeq, the Judge of Riyaadh (rahimahullah).

• Shaykh Hamad bin Faaris, the treasurer of the Bayt-ul-Maal in Riyaadh (rahimahullah).

• Shaykh Sa’d Waqaas al-Bukhaaree from the ‘Ulamaa of Makkah (rahimahullah).

• The Eminent Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem Aali-Shaykh who, in his time, was the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia. Shaykh bin Baaz accompanied him and learned from him for about ten years from 1347 to 1357 A.H. where he later elected him to serve as judge.

Thus he gained his religious education from the family of Imaam Muhammad ibn 'Abdul-Wahhaab (rahimahullah).


Shaykh Ibn Baaz excelled in the various branches of Islamic sciences. He devoted all of his life to the Cause of Islam and its people, authoring many books, teaching and serving the masses, while also aiding the spread of correct knowledge world-wide.

He served in the judiciary as a Justice for fourteen years, until he was transferred to the education faculty. He remained engaged in teaching for nine years at Riyaadh Islamic law College, Riyaadh Religious Institute. Then he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Islamic University in Madeenah. Shortly thereafter, he was made the Chancellor with full administrative powers.

Later he was appointed President of the General Presidency of Islamic Research, Islamic Rulings, Call and Propagation, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and then finally was made the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia.

He was also the President of many Islamic Committees and Councils, the most prominent of these are: the Senior Scholars Committee of Saudi Arabia, the Permanent Committee for Islamic and Educational Research, the Founding Committee of Muslim World League, World Supreme Council for Mosques, Islamic Jurisprudence Assembly of Makkah; and member of the Supreme Council of the Islamic University of Madeenah, and the Supreme Committee for Islamic Propagation.

He belonged to the Hanbali School of Jurisprudence, but his legal verdicts were based on evidences taken from the Quran and Sunnah as he himself said:

“My Madhhab (Islamic fundamentals of rite) in Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) is the Madhhab of Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (rahimahullah) and that is not by way of Taqleed (blind following) but rather it is built upon adherence to the fundamentals that he followed. As for the affairs of difference of opinion then my Manhaj (methodology) concerning it is giving precedence to whatever the evidences mandate to be given preference, and this also applies to the fatwa (legal ruling), whether it agrees with the Madhhab of the Hanbalees or not, and that is because the truth has more right to be followed.”

From some of his literary works:

• Al-Fawaaid-ul-Jaleelah fee al-Mubaahith-il-Fardhiyyah (Glorious Benefits concerning Research of the Obligatory matters)

• At-Tahqeeq wal-Iydhaah li-Katheeri min Masaail-il-Hajj wal-‘Umrah waz-Ziyaarah (Verifying and Clarification concerning the many issues surrounding Hajj, ‘Umrah and Visiting the Prophet )

• At-Tahdheer min-al-Bid’ee (Warning from Innovations) which includes four articles such as, “the Ruling concerning Celebrating the Birthday of the Prophet.”

• Risaalataani Moojizataani fee az-Zakaati was-Siyaam (Two Summarized Treatises concerning Zakah and Fasting)

• Al-‘Aqeedat-us-Saheehah wa Maa Yudhaaduhaa (the Correct Creed and what opposes it)

• Wujoob-ul-‘Amali bi-Sunnat-ir-Rasooli wa Kufru man Ankarhu (the Obligation of doing the righteous deed according to the Methodology of the Prophet and the Disbelief of the one who rejects it)

• Ad-Da’wah ila Allah wa Akhlaaq-ud-Du’aati (Inviting to the Path of Allah and the correct mannerisms of the missionaries)

• Wujoobu Tahkeemi Shar’illahi wa Nabdhu Maa Khaalafahu (The Obligation to Rule by Allah’s Divine Legislation and refuting the one who opposes it)

• Hukm-us-Sufoori wal-Hijaabi wa Nikaah-ish-Shaghaar (The Ruling concerning the woman who does not cover and the Ruling concerning Covering in addition to the Ruling concerning the marriage of ash-Shaghaar; when two men arrange to marry one another's female relative)

• Naqd-ul-Qawmiyyat-il-‘Arabiyyah (Refuting Arab Nationalism)

• Al-Jawaab-ul-Mufeed fee Hukm-it-Tasweer (the Beneficial Response concerning the Ruling on Picture Taking)

• Ash-Shaykh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab, Da’watuhu wa Seeratuhu (ash-Shaykh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab, his missionary work and biography)

• Three treatises regarding Prayer each entitled, Kayfiyya-tu-Salaat-in-Nabi (the Manner that the Prophet preformed the Prayer), Wujoobu Adaa-is-Salaati fee Jamaa’ah (the Obligation of performing the prayer with the congregation), and Ayna Yadha’u al-Musalee Yadyhi heena ar-Raf’u min ar-Ruku’oo (Where does the praying person place his hands when coming up from the bowing position?)

• Hukm-ul-Islaami feeman Ta’ana fee al-Quraan auw fee Rasoolullahi (the Islamic Ruling concerning the one who attacks the Quran and the Messenger of Allah )

• Haashiyyatun Mufeedun ‘alaa Fath-il-Baaree (Beneficial Notes upon Fath-ul-Baaree – the commentary of Saheeh-ul-Bukhaaree by Ibn-ul-Hajar al-‘Asqalaanee (rahimahullah) which he was only able to reach up to the Book of Hajj and then he passed away (rahimahullah).

• Iqaamat-ul-Baraaheen ‘alaa Hukmi man Istighaathi bighayrillahi auw Saddaqa al-Kahanah wal-‘Araafeen (Establishing the Evidences upon the Ruling of one who seeks aide from other than Allah or who believes the Fortune-Tellers and Palm-Readers)

• Al-Jihaad fee Sabeelillah (Fighting in the Path of Allah)

• Ad-Duroos-ul-Muhimmah li’Aammat-il-Ummah (Important Lessons for the General Body of Muslims)

• Fatawaa tata’allaqu bi-Ahkaam-il-Hajj wal-‘Umrah waz-Ziyaarah (Legal Islamic Rulings connected to Hajj, ‘Umrah and Visting the Prophet )

• Wujoobu Luzoom-is-Sunnah wal-Hadhr min-al-Bid’ah (the Obligation of Adhering to the Sunnah and Warning from Innovation)

He passed away at the age of eighty nine years on Thursday the 27th of Muharram in the year 1420 A.H. (Corresponding to May 13th 1999 C.E.) in Taaif. Prayers were held for him in Masjid Haram, Makkah on Friday the 28th of Muharram then he was buried in al-‘Adl Cemetery.

Compiled and Translated by Thomas Maldonado. This biography originally appeared in the English translation of the Shaykh's explanation to the Three Principles printed by al-Hujjah Publication.