[Q 373] Status of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Compared to Angels

Question

Is Hazrat Abu Bakr superior to any of the angels, and if yes, is he superior to Hazrat Jibrael, Hazrat Israfil, Hazrat Izrael, or Hazrat Mikael?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

Sayyiduna Siddiq ul-Akbar رضي الله تعالى عنه is superior to all creation after the Prophets, the Messengers, the close angels, and the angels who bear the Throne. Meaning he is superior to all ordinary angles as well.
He is not superior to the close angels, such as Sayyiduna Jibrael, Sayyiduna Mikael, Sayyiduna Israfil, and Sayyiduna Izrael عليهم السلام. These close angels, as well as the angels who bear the Throne, hold a higher status than Sayyiduna Siddiq ul-Akbar رضي الله تعالى عنه. However, aside from these specific angels, Sayyiduna Siddiq ul-Akbar رضي الله تعالى عنه is indeed superior to all other angels.

Sayyidi Imam ahl us-Sunnah رحمة الله عليه says:
“After the (Prophets and Messengers عليهم الصلاة والسلام), the next elevated rank belongs to the high category of close angels, like our masters and supporters: Sayyiduna Jibrael (who is tasked with bringing divine revelation to the Prophets), Sayyiduna Mikael (who is in charge of rain and providing sustenance to the creatures of Allah), Sayyiduna Israfil (who will blow the trumpet on the Day of Judgment), Sayyiduna Izrael (who is assigned with the task of seizing souls), and the bearers of the Throne of Majesty. The blessings and peace of Allah be upon them all. No saint, regardless of how close to Allah he may be, can reach their high stature or elevated station. Any disrespect toward these high-ranking angels is judged in the same way as disrespect toward the dignified Prophets and Messengers, which is an act of definitive disbelief (kufr).”

(Fatawa Razawiyyah, Volume 29, Page 353)

He further states in another place:
“The esteemed rank of our master and leader Abdullah al-Atiq Abu Bakr al-Siddiq and the noble presence of Abu Hafs Umar Farooq رضي الله تعالى عنهما are uniquely distinguished from all others. After the Prophets, Messengers, and close angels, no one else holds the status that they hold with Allah. The closeness, honour, and elevation they possess in the ranks of Allah’s nearness and the exalted station of the Throne of Resplendence is unmatched by anyone else.”

(Fatawa Ridawiyyah, Volume 29, Page 536)

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 14th November 2024