eat or drink. They belong to an unseen realm that human beings cannot perceive, though Allah—exalted be He—may at times allow people to behold them, just as Gabriel, peace be upon him, once appeared in the guise of a man whose clothes were intensely white and whose hair was intensely black; no trace of travel could be seen on him, and none of the Companions recognized him. He sat before the Prophet ﷺ and questioned him. Such incidents occur occasionally, yet the fundamental rule is that the realm of the angels is hidden from sight.

All the angels are wholly good; therefore, they do not enter any place where something that angers Allah is present. They do not enter a house that contains an image, nor will they accompany a company in whose midst there is a bell, nor travel with people who keep a dog—except for a dog whose possession the Law permits.

These angels, whom Allah—glorified is He—has commissioned, roam throughout the earth. When they come upon gatherings of remembrance, they sit with those present and then surround them with their wings, stretching upward to the sky—meaning that the angels form a column from earth to heaven.

Thereafter Allah questions them, in order to make manifest the excellence of those who have gathered to remember Him, glorify Him, praise Him, proclaim His oneness, magnify Him, and supplicate Him—though Allah is fully aware of their state. He asks the angels, “From where have you come?” They reply, “We have come from servants of Yours on earth who are glorifying You, proclaiming Your oneness, magnifying You, praising You, and calling upon You.” He says, “What is it they seek?” They answer, “They seek Paradise.” (O Allah, make us among those who seek it and are granted it!) He says, “Have they seen it?” They reply, “No.” He asks, “How would they be were they to see it?” They say, “They would be even more earnest in striving for it and more eager in their desire,” for Allah—exalted is He—declares: “I have prepared for My righteous servants that which no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and has never occurred to any human heart…"