Praise be to Allah. Allah created the angels from light. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The angels were created from light, the jinn were created from smokeless fire, and Adam was created from that which has been described to you.” [Muslim, 2996] The angels are by nature obedient to Allah: “[they, i.e., angels] disobey not, (from executing) the commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded.” [66:6 – interpretation of the meaning] They are created in such a way that they do not eat or drink. Their food is tasbeeh (glorification of Allah) and tahleel (saying La ilaha ill-Allah), as Allah tells us concerning them (interpretation of the meaning): “They (i.e. the angels) glorify His praises night and day, (and) they never slacken (to do so) [21:20] The angels bear witness to the Oneness of Allah, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Allah bears witness that La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also give this witness); (He always) maintains His creation in justice. La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” [3:18] Allah has honoured some of the angels by choosing them as messengers, just as He has chosen some of mankind as messengers: “Allah chooses messengers from angels and from men.” [22:75 – interpretation of the meaning]