Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "(A group of) angels stay with you at night and (another group of) angels by daytime, and both groups gather at the time of the 'Asr and Fajr prayers. Then those angels who have stayed with you overnight, ascend (to Heaven) and Allah asks them (about you) ---- and He knows everything about you. "In what state did you leave My slaves?' The angels reply, 'When we left them, they were praying, and when we reached them they were praying.' "
Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed)
Sahih al-Bukhari - Hadith 7429
Textual Analysis
This noble hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) reveals the continuous presence of angels who record human deeds and alternate in shifts between night and day. The gathering occurs at the two most virtuous prayers: Fajr (dawn) and 'Asr (afternoon).
The angels' ascent to Allah demonstrates the divine system of accountability and the honor bestowed upon the believers engaged in prayer. Allah's question, despite His perfect knowledge, manifests His mercy and serves as a means of elevating the status of the righteous servants before the heavenly hosts.
Spiritual Significance
The hadith emphasizes the importance of maintaining prayer, particularly the Fajr and 'Asr prayers, which are witnessed by the changing shifts of angels. This serves as a powerful motivation for believers to be consistent in their worship.
The continuous prayer mentioned by the angels indicates a state of spiritual connection with Allah throughout the day and night, where one prayer leads to another, and the believer remains in a state of remembrance and obedience.
Theological Implications
This narration affirms Allah's attribute of perfect knowledge (Al-'Alim), as He knows the condition of His servants before asking the angels. The questioning serves to manifest His grace and to honor the believers.
It also confirms the reality of angels and their specific functions in recording human deeds, which is a fundamental article of faith in Islam. The hadith reinforces the concept of divine supervision over human actions and the meticulous recording of deeds for the Day of Judgment.