they implore forgiveness for the believers when the latter are unaware of it, just as the Most High says:

“and they seek forgiveness for those who believe, saying, ‘Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge; so forgive those who repent and follow Your way, and shield them from the punishment of the Blaze. Our Lord, admit them into the Gardens of Eternity You have promised them, together with the righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their offspring; surely You alone are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. Protect them from evil deeds, for whomsoever You protect from evil deeds on that Day, You have shown mercy to, and that is indeed the supreme triumph.’” (Ghāfir 7–9)

Because this noble trait is ingrained in their very nature, they love everyone who possesses it. Hence it is authentically reported from the Truthful and Trustworthy Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:

“When a servant prays for his brother in his absence, the angel says, ‘Āmīn, and the same for you.’”

Among them are the inhabitants of the seven heavens, who fill them with unceasing worship day and night, morning and evening, as the Exalted says: “They glorify Him night and day without fatigue” (al-Anbiyāʾ 20). Some remain perpetually bowing, others perpetually standing, and others perpetually prostrating. Another group comes in successive companies to the Oft-Visited House; each day seventy thousand enter it, and once they leave they never return to it. Others are charged with Paradise itself, preparing its honors for its people and arranging their hospitality—garments, ornaments, dwellings, food, drink, and all else that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has it ever crossed a human heart. The keeper of Paradise is an angel named Riḍwān, as stated explicitly in certain hadiths.

Among them are those entrusted with the Fire, the zabāniyah; their chiefs number nineteen. The custodian of Hell is Mālik, who presides over all its wardens. They are mentioned in His words: “Those in the Fire will say to the keepers of Hell, ‘Pray to your Lord to lighten for us a single day of punishment’” (Ghāfir 49). He also says: “They will cry, ‘O Mālik, let your Lord finish us off!’ He will answer, ‘You shall remain. We certainly brought you the truth, but most of you loathe the truth.’” (al-Zukhruf 77–78). And the Exalted says: “Over it are angels, stern and severe, who do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do precisely what they are ordered” (al-Taḥrīm 6); and: “Over it are nineteen. We have set none but angels as wardens of the Fire, and We have made their number only a trial for the disbelievers, so that those given the Scripture may be certain, the believers may increase in faith, no doubt may remain for the People of the Scripture and the believers, and so that those with illness in their hearts and the disbelievers may say, ‘What did Allah intend by this example?’ Thus Allah leads astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills—and none knows the hosts of your Lord except Him” (al-Muddaththir 30–31).

Among them as well are the angels appointed to guard the children of Adam, as the Most High says: “It is all the same to Him whether any of you conceals his speech or makes it public, whether one hides by night or goes forth by day. He has guardian angels in succession before him and behind him, protecting him by Allah’s command. Indeed, Allah does not change a people’s condition until they change what is within themselves; and when Allah wills harm for a people, there is no turning it back, nor have they any protector besides Him.” (al-Raʿd 10–11).