What Is Intended by “The Angels’ Refusal to Enter Homes”?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
What are the effects of the Angels of mercy/blessings being absent from the house (due to paintings of living beings)? Is it a shortage of rizq, and are there other ill effects that can be perceived?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate.
The concept in question is referred to in several Prophetic narrations. One such hadith reads as follows:
From Abu Talha (Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Angels do not enter a house that contains a picture.” [Agreed Upon]
Imam Nawawi (Allah have mercy on him) said, “The scholars have said that the reason for the angels’ abstaining from entering a house with a picture is that it is a grave act of disobedience, and it resembles the act of creating like Allah (Most High). Some of these pictures are of what is worshipped besides Allah (Most High).
As for these angels who do not enter a house with a dog or a picture, they are the angels who circulate with mercy, blessings, and forgiveness. As for the guardian angels (al-hafaza) enter every house and do not leave the human being at any time, as they are commanded to record their deeds.” [Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim (14/84)].
Based on Imam Nawawi’s commentary (and others) above, the Angels’ refusal to enter a home entails the inhabitants being deprived of various forms of mercy, blessing, and forgiveness from Allah, which would otherwise have descended due to the presence and prayers of those Angels, and Allah knows best.
- Do Angels Refrain from Entering Certain Houses?
- Will Angels Not Enter My House If There’s a Photo in It?
I pray that this benefits, and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
