Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 3:23 am Post subject: Angels
I understand that the angels are present during Abe-Safa ceremony, but are they not always present in JK's? Do they only enter when we enter? Where are they the rest of the times?
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 7:13 am Post subject: Angels
Angels are present everywhere. Most of us are not aware of or not tuned in with them because either we are too involved with our material responsibilities or our outlook is unethical. On the other hand, elevated souls are in tune with them all the time and they feel their presence all the time.
In congregation we are made aware of their presence and hence there is a consolidated awareness which reinforces or charges up the environment. The effectiveness of angels is only relative to our awareness of them or being in tune with them. Hence we recite Ashaji verses before Dua to heighten the awareness of the presence of angels and invoke their attention or participation in the ceremonies.
Different occasions entail different kinds of gatherings or configuration of angels. Ghat Paat ceremony has a higher concentration of them. If during the Ghat Paat ceremony we think of worldly matters or think evil then the angels disappear. On the other hand if one pays attention to the Ghat Paat ginaans, then the angels inspire elevating thoughts.
Angelic help is not always spiritual. Angels also assume material forms to assist individuals. You might meet someone in JK who will provide you with solutions to your problems even without you asking or mentioning them! Or you may hear a Farman or a Ginan which addresses your current circumstances.
Some interesting quotes on angels
======================
Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince,
And, flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!
- William Shakespeare,
"Hamlet"
***
Some held the Light, while those remaining
Shook out their harvest-colored wings,
A faint unusual music raining,
Whose sound was Light on earthly things.
- Agnes Mary Frances Darmesteter,
"Dawn-Angels"
***
If we wish to attune with our angels and spiritual helpers, we must first learn to love ourselves unconditionally.
- Margaret Neylon
***
So much has failed humanity that the world has turned to a higher spiritual belief, a gentler belief. And what could be more gentle than an angel?
- Sylvia Brown
From "Angels All Around Us: 2005 Daily Calendar". Compiled by Karen Maguire/ Reprinted by arrangement with Andrews McMeel Publishing.
***
Angels are bright still, though the greatest fell.
- William Shakespeare,
"Macbeth"
***
Your angel is your steadfast companion--she lingers through dream-filled nights and busy days, and touches your actions with gentleness and warmth.
- Suzanne Siegel Zenkel,
"Your Secret Angel"
From "Angels All Around Us:
***
We all see angels; if we never recognize them, it's because they come in ways we don't expect.
- Eileen Elias Freeman,
"The Angels' Little Instruction Book"
***
Watch for synchronistic events that bring a chuckle or a little joy to you through a little angelic intervention. This is how they show us they love us and want to be sure we don't miss it.
- Barbara Mark & Trudy Griswold,
"The Angelspeake Storybook"
***
And no one knows you better,
Than your angels know you, dear,
For every day that you have spent on earth,
They, too, were here.
- Leigh Engel,
"Angels Are Always There"
***
It is not known precisely where the angels dwell--whether in the air, the void, or the planets. It has not been God's pleasure that we should be informed of their abode.
- Voltaire, "Angels"
***
The most important characteristic of angels is not that they have power to excercise control over our lives, or that they are beautiful, but that they work on our behalf.
- Billy Graham,
"Angels: God's Secret Agents"
***
Guardian Angels and their colleagues appear to us when and how we need them. They never come just to entertain us, distract us, or satisfy idle curiosity.
- Janice T. Connell,
"Angel Power"
***
It is impossible to see the angel unless you first have a notion of it.
- James Hillman,
"The Soul's Code"
***
Keep in mind that angels do not belong to any one religion; they go beyond a single religion. The angels represent the Divine energy of God.
- Terry Lynn Taylor,
"Angel Days"
***
You may be wondering, "Where is my angel?" Your angel may be right in front of you. Your best friend may be an angel sent to you by God.
- Susan Santucci,
"Pathways to the Spirit"
Last edited by kmaherali on Wed Feb 02, 2005 3:26 am, edited 14 times in total
Thank u for that comprehensive response. So are angels and spirits (Ruhanis) the same? Are people who pass away angels?
Can u share more about the practice of singing Ashaji before dua.
I know that it is recognized as very powerful and that people read it when they have difficulties...
You are welcome! This is a grey area and I would like others’ thoughts on this. In my opinion spirits are Ruhanis and there are gradations with respect to their role and status. Some are more elevated than others. I would say that beneficial spirits are angels and the harmful ones evil spirits. Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah says in his memoirs:
"Islam acknowledges the existence of angels, of great souls who have developed themselves to the highest possible planes of the human soul and higher, and who are centres of the forces which are scattered throughout the Universe. Without going as far as Christianity, Islam recognizes the existence of evil spirits which seek by means of their secret suggestions to us to turn us from good, from that straight way traced by God's finger for the eternal happiness of the humblest as of the greatest-Abraham, Jesus, Mohammed."
I have discussed the importance of Anant Akhado in my introduction to the translations in the Ginan section of this site. I have also posted an article under Ginans -> ashaji of the Forums. These cover the essential aspects of the recitation. In addition the recitations drive away the evil spirits (I think I did not mention this in them).
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 3:23 am Post subject: Angels
YAM Faria and K,
An Angel is someone or something that is perfect in their Farman Bardari.
A Ruhani is someone who exists in a state of awareness of their Ruh at all times. (physically alive or dead doesn't matter. Imam says "My Ruhani spiritual children")
"Souls of the deceased" (like Imam says) are Souls of those who are deceased and have not reached either one of the above statuses.
Hope this helps stimulate your intellect even more.
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 5:35 am Post subject: More Quotes On Angels From Other Traditions
What tremendous encouragement to know that we are surrounded on every side by loving and powerful protectors. Thinking of angels can ease our sorrows, strengthen our faith, and lighten our hearts.
- Ann Spangler,
"An Angel a Day
***
…Angels desire to share with human beings the same immense ocean of love and joy that they themselves enjoy. This is the goal toward which they are constantly trying to maneuver and guide us.
- Mary Drahos,
"Angels of God, Guardians Dear"
***
A man does not always choose what his guardian angel intends.
- Saint Thomas Aquinas
***
Angels are always nearby, ready to encourage us through inspiration, lighten our hearts, and remind us that where there is life, there is joy.
- Terry Lynn Taylor,
"Angel Days"
***
Angelic beings have a free will -- just as we have -- but one that -- unlike ours -– is totally focused on the will of God. This is the reason for their unbridled joy. They have found the secret of true contentment: thinking of and concentrating on God rather than themselves.
- Mary Drahos,
“Angels of God, Guardians Dear”
***
Your guardian angel asks for nothing in return; her only reward is your happiness.
- Suzanne Siegel Zenkel,
"Your Secret Angel"
Oh Lord Five hundred male youths will play near her
and they will play everywhere
The fifty angels will offer friendship
and they will take her to the Lord of the throne
Haree You are eternal...
***
Angelic assistance is part of God's universal plan of salvation...Angels...are like God's agents in the field. He purposely uses them to introduce images, tendencies, and desires that lead us to do what is right and good.
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 1:35 am Post subject: Presence of Angels and Beauty
In the following refrain (varannee) of the Ginan "Satgur Sathe Gotthari kije", Pir Sadardeen tells us that angelic presence is felt during spiritual enlightenment and real beauty is experienced. Hence the experience becomes an immense source of strength and happiness.
re vaalaa aaj haree maare aa(n)gann aavyaa saathe ana(n)t karodd dev laaveeyaa choud loke vadhaaveeyaa..............................1
Oh loved one, the Lord has arrived at my courtyard (doorstep) and has brought along with Him countless crores of spirits(angels) who have serenaded the fourteen realms ( heavens).
Some parallels from other traditions:
Angels never stand in the way. Angels are prisms who let the light, the message through. They are clear glass, only noticeable until the sun comes up and shines in the window. - Eileen Elias Freeman,
“Touched by Angels”
I saw the tracks of angels in the earth,
The beauty of heaven walking by itself on the world. - Petrarch
From "Angels Around Us." Compiled by Karen Maguire
Aashaajee Sarag bhamann maanhe Guru ne huru
raheshe ati raliaat jee
nuraani kaayaa moman-ni hoyshe
hoyshe tenne deen.......................Haree anant..463 (Anant Akhado)
Oh Lord A momin will be blessed with two heavens(physical and
spiritual); in the physical he/she will be with the
Guru(murshid) and in the spiritual he will be in the company of
angels
and he/she will have great happiness
The material body of the momin will be filled with light
and this will happen during his/her day(time)
Haree You are eternal...
***
Your two guardian angels are always with you. The other angels come and go as we need them.
- Doreen Virtue,
"Divine Guidance"
***
God sends His angels to comfort while He heals.
- Barbara Mark and Trudy Griswold,
“The Angelspeake Storybook”
***
Just as the sun is the central light for our solar system, God is the supreme light of the spiritual world. Angels are secondary or reflecting lights, pulsating his presence. They are so "imprinted" with God's light as perfect servants of the divine will that they, in turn, become lights themselves.
- Mary Drahos,
"Angels of God, Guardians Dear"
***
Angels speak to us with the voice of the God who sent them.
- Eileen Elias Freeman,
"The Angels' Little Instruction Book"
Aashaajee Maaree bhut ne dev rakheesar keedhaa
rakheesar jeev sohee jee
amar bhom amraapuree pohotaa
te Shaah-ne haathoi haath...............Haree anant..283
Oh Lord The devotees slayed(purified) their bodies and became
angels
indeed such are the devoted souls
They reached the eternal abode
and were received personally by the Lord
Haree You are eternal...
***
Dear God...May angels' wings be lent to me, that I might fly above the noise and turmoil of the world. With every moment's flight may something beautiful be revealed to me, and become a part of who I am. Amen.
Angels are aspects of God that touch us in mysterious and subtle ways and on many levels of the mind. They are divine messengers of God that can transform our attitudes, change our thought patterns and renew our ideals if we open ourselves to their heedings.
- Harvey Humann
***
Our lives change when we bring the angels into our consciousness. Because the angels' vibrations are so high, the least little exchange with an angel lifts us beyond the petty mundane world and sets us on a path of magic and creativity. You will forever have an enlightened view once you sense the good vibrations of the angels.
- Terry Lynn Taylor,
"Angel Days"
***
Have you ever wondered why it happens that angels appear most frequently in the guise of ordinary human beings rather than the heavenly, barely embodied creatures we sometimes are privileged to see? I think it’s because they don’t want us to focus on them any longer than necessary, but on the message they bring and the One from whom the message comes.
Concept of God is so Pure that imagining Him doing anything material is far too low. Thus we need Angels to carry out actions on His orders. Angels are also considered Names for different powers of God. For e.g Azazil, Gabriel and Israfil for Taking life, for communication, for blowing the surr(call) for the day of judgement.
Angels follow Gods order without thinking about it, they dont really have a choice. While Humans have a choice. We all should follow Gods orders anyways but what will make us Ashraful Makhlukaat is backing up the actions with understanding. Actions without understanding while still better than No action, drops us down from superior status of Ashraful Makhlukat to a lower status of Angels.
Something I do find difficult to comprehend is as Angels follow Gods order without thinking about them how are they different then God himself?. Like my hands follow my brains order without thinking about them, thus hands are part of me.
Secondly, if God communicates with humans through Angels(Gabriel in case of Prophet Muhammad(P.B.U.H), How does God communicates with Angels?.
ill appreciate your responses..
Don't wish to offend anyone, Angels are the representatives of God, they carry out, execute, orders on his behalf in very organized fashion. Some of them are very competent, some are not. But they are bound to work within the policy and procedures drafted by God.
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