Angels · Carriers of the greatest creation
حملة العرش
Hamalat al-Arsh, Bearers of the Throne
They carry the Throne, glorify their Lord, and pray for the believers below.
The account
Above every rank of angel stand the bearers of the Throne. Their scale defies the page: the Prophet ﷺ was given leave to speak of one of them: "between his earlobe and his shoulder is the journey of seven hundred years" (Abu Dawud, sahih). On the Day, "eight will bear the Throne of your Lord above them" (69:17). But the Qur'an's longest look at them is not at their size, it is at their occupation: "Those who carry the Throne and those around it glorify the praise of their Lord, believe in Him, and seek forgiveness for those who believe: Our Lord, You encompass all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who repent and follow Your way, and spare them the punishment of Hellfire" (40:7). The mightiest creatures in existence spend their strength making du'a for the weakest believers on earth. The Codex records them as the Path's highest comfort: you are being prayed for, from directly beneath the Throne.
The facts
- On the DayEight · 69:17
- Scale700 years, ear to shoulder
- OccupationDu'a for the believers
The Qur'an on it
الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا
Those who carry the Throne and those around it glorify the praise of their Lord and seek forgiveness for those who believe.
Read beside it
The words
On the Path