 Nur (light) - Source of Energy for Angels and Believers Recent scientific discoveries talk about Biophotons - photons (particles) of light or radiation emitting from human bodies at extremely low visible frequency invisible to our sight. Islam teaches that angels, energetic beings made of nur (light or energy), get attracted to us spiritually if we remain physically and internally (our intentions) pure. Practicing Islam helps us achieve both states. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ informed us that angels are very sensitive to smells unbearable to humans such as those of garlic and onions: “He who eats of this offensive plant (onions/garlic) must not approach our mosque, for the angels are harmed by the same things as men.”[1] He never forbade Muslims but advised them to cook onions and garlic thoroughly before consuming for it loses the strong odor.[2] Whatever apprehends humans also apprehends angels therefore Prophet ﷺ also advised Muslims to cleanse their mouth before engaging in worship: “When any one of you stand at night to offer Salah, you should clean your teeth with a miswak (wooden tooth stick) because when you recite the Quran, an angel places his mouth on yours and anything coming out of your mouth enters the mouth of that angel.”[3] The spiritual moments experienced during our worship and meditation becomes their sustenance. We are also informed in a prophetic hadith, that angels seek zikr gatherings and become joyful as zikr is their and our source of energy: “Allah, the Exalted, has teams of angels who go about on the roads seeking those who remember Allah. When they find some people remembering Allah they call to one another and say, ‘Come to what you are hungry for;’ and they surround them with their wings until the space between them and the lowest sky is fully covered.”[4] This is one of many spiritual ways in which Allah ﷻ keeps angels joined with the believers for the sake of their protection and guidance. An interesting definition of our ruh (soul) comes from a one of the most prominent and influential 9th century CE philosopher, mystic, scholar named Imam Ghazali (latinized Algazel). He mentions in his famous work Ihya Ulum-id-din: "Ruh has got 2 meanings. First meaning is material thing within the heart which vibrates the whole body like the current of electricity running through veins of the body called ‘life’. It has the power of touch, hearing, sight, smell and the power of the other limbs of the body. It is just like a radiation of light of a lighted lamp. The second meaning is the immaterial thing called latifa or subtle element which has got connection with the material soul.”[5] There is a chance that our material ruh is likely the source of recently discovered radiation emission from human body called biophotons. Further research has given scientists the clue that these particles may be playing a role in cellular communication inside our body. Biophoton may be part of neuron activity in the brain that sends and receives signals resulting in movement of our muscles and body exactly as the 9th century Imam stated. He also states that at the subtle level this material soul is connected to the spiritual world through the medium of our hearts. This may explain why hearts of the believers find rest in Allah's remembrance: (Al Quran 13:28) truly it is in the zikr (remembrance) of God that hearts find peace. - Allah's worship and obedience are angelic characteristics and key factors that attract angelic presence as well as our connection with spiritual world, hence the Prophet ﷺ said: "No people sit in a gathering remembering Allah, but angels surround them, mercy covers them, tranquility descends upon them and Allah remembers them before those who are with Him." [6] Quran also brings our attention to soul's evil impulses: (Al Quran 12:53) ...very soul incites him to evil unless my Lord shows mercy. - These also come from (jinn) devils hence Quran says: (Al Quran 7:201) If Satan should prompt you to do something, seek refuge with God. References: [1] Vol. 4, Book 29, Hadith 3363 – Sunan Ibn Majah [2] Sahih Muslim 563 [3] Shu'ab al-Iman, Vol. 2, Page 381, Hadith 2117 [4] Book 16, Hadith 40 – Riyad us-saliheen [5] Ghazzali 1993 [6] Sunan Ibn Majah Vol. 5, Book 33, Hadith 3791 [8] Al Quran 12:53 [9] Al Quran 7:201
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