The opening of Q. 35:1 (Surat al-Mala’ikaÌý´Ç°ùÌýSurat al-Faá¹ir) attests to the creative power of God and describes the angels as winged messengers, the onlyÌýayaÌý(verse)Ìýwhere angels are portrayed in this way in the whole of theÌý²Ï³Ü°ù’a²Ô. It is an importantÌýaya, as it is one of only a few which describe the relationships between God, humans and angels. However, two of the most significant words in thisÌýayaÌýare often passed over without comment or consideration by modern translators and commentators alike:ÌýmalakÌý(³¾²¹±ô²¹â€™i°ì²¹) andÌý´Ú²¹á¹i°ù.
Author
Dr Stephen R. Burge
Stephen Burge joined the Institute of Ismaili Studies as a Research Associate in 2009, having completed his doctorate at the University of Edinburgh. He has published a monograph on angels in Islam, as well as a number of articles on angels, exegesis and interpretation. He is also co-editing and translating a volume of the Anthology of ²Ï³Ü°ù’a²Ôic Commentaries Series on the Pillars of Islam, and editing a volume entitled The Meaning of the Word:ÌýLexicology and ²Ï³Ü°ù’a²Ôic Exegesis. His main research interests are the works of JalalÌýal-DinÌýal-Suyuti,ÌýhadithÌýstudies,ÌýtafsirÌý(Qur’anic Exegesis)Ìýand angelology.