Are we ever visited by angels? Have we at one point of our lives been visited by a man or woman who were so warm and human that they appeared almost none human?
I have done the Haj this year. It was the most beautiful experience of my life.
On the last day of Haj, we went to Mecca to do the ‘Tawaf’, and bid farewell to our prophet Mohamed. At Fajr prayers, I found a spot for prayers outside the Holy Mosque (it was too crowded to pray inside the Holy Mosque). As I waited for the Imam to start the prayers, an old man came towards me, gently placed his carpet on the ground, and sat there very silent, deep in prayers. His movements were so smooth, and he had a beautiful smell that was really not a smell. It was not a fragrance or perfume, but the natural smell of his skin. It was a pure smell, impossible to describe in words.
I wanted to talk to him… ask him who he is. I could not. I was mesmerized. He reminded me so much of my grandfather. I started praying for my grandfather.
During the Fajr prayers, I did not stop asking God to accept all of this man’s prayers. All my prayers were channeled towards that man. I asked God to forgive that man’s sins, and enter him in Paradise.
When the Fajr prayers ended, I stayed a bit longer hoping I might have a chance to talk to that man. He was still so deep in prayers that I did not want to disturb him. I left, regretting not getting the chance to talk to him. But did I really not talk to him? Or was there a silent conversation between us?
Was he an angel? Who was he? And why did he have this effect on me? What lesson did he want me to learn?
My mother told me that it might have been an angel.
I love the following story, related by Muslim:
While we were sitting with Allah’s Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black and on whom no sign of journeying were to be seen and non of us knew him. He walked up and sat down by the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). Resting his knees against his, and placing his hands on his (the Prophet’s) thighs, he said: O Muhammad! Tell me about Islam? Allah’s Messenger replied: Islam is to bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to perform Regular prayers perfectly, to pay Zakat (obligatory charity), to observe fast during the month of Ramadan, and to make the pilgrimage to the House (the Ka’ba in Mecca) if you are able to do so. He said (the questioner): You have spoken rightly. We were amazed at him (the questioner) asking him (the Prophet PBUH) and approving what he says. He (the questioner) then said: Tell me about faith? He (the Prophet pbuh) replied: It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His Messengers, and the Final Day (of Judgment), and to believe in divine destiny, both the good and the evil thereof.
- You have spoken rightly. Tell me about Ihsan (perfection).
- It is to worship Allah as though you are seeing Him, and while you can not see Him, He truly sees you.
- Tell me about the Hour.
- The one asked about it has no more knowledge of it than the one asking.
- Then tell me about its signs.
- When a slave woman gives birth to her mistress, when you will see the barefooted, naked, and destitute shepherds competing in the construction of lofty buildings.
- Then the man left and I stayed a while longer. Then the Prophet (pbuh) asked me: O 'Omar! Do you know who the questioner was?
- Allah and His Messenger know best, I replied.
- That was (the angel) Gabriel who came to teach you your religion.
(Related by Muslim according to 'Omar)
You just never know when an angel might visit you!
