In a hadith narrated by Jabir and traced back to the Prophet, he said: “When Allah created Adam and his progeny, the angels said: ‘Our Lord, You created them to eat, drink, and marry; so grant them this world and grant us the Hereafter.’ The Most High said: ‘I will not make one whom I created with My Hand and into whom I breathed of My spirit like one to whom I merely said, “Be,” and he was.’” (1)

The sounder view is that the ordinary believers are superior to the ordinary angels, and the elect among the believers are superior to the elect among the angels. Allah the Most High says: “Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds—it is they who are the best of all creatures.” (al-Bayyinah 7)

It is narrated from Abu Hurayrah that he said: “The believer is more honored in the sight of Allah than the angels who are with Him.” (2)

“The Day We will call every people with their leader. Then whoever is given his record in his right hand—such people will read their record, and they will not be wronged even by as much as the thread within a date stone.” (71)

The Most High says, “The Day We will call every people with their leader.” Mujahid and Qatadah said: with their prophet. Abu Salih and al-Dahhak said: with the scripture that was sent down to them.

Al-Hasan and Abu al-Aliyah said: with their deeds.

Qatadah also said: with their record containing their deeds, as indicated by the context of the verse: “Then whoever is given his record in his right hand.” A record may be called an imam, as He, exalted is He, says: “And We have enumerated everything in a clear record.” (Ya Sin 12)

Sa‘id ibn Jubayr narrated from Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him: with the leader of their time who called them in this world to misguidance or guidance. Allah the Most High says: “And We made them leaders, guiding by Our command” (al-Anbiya 73); and He says: “And We made them leaders calling to the Fire.” (al-Qasas 41).