Are there other angels who were not commanded to prostrate? And what is the meaning of His — the Most High’s — saying: "You were of the exalted ones"?
Allah Almighty commanded all the angels to prostrate to Adam (peace be upon him), and this is confirmed in the Quran, as in His saying: (So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together). Some Sufis and philosophers claimed that some of the "muhayyamun" (those overwhelmed by divine love) angels did not prostrate, and that the Quran alluded to this with (Or were you among the exalted ones?). This is false for several reasons:
1. The definitive article "al-" for inclusiveness in "al-mala'ikah" (the angels).
2. The emphasis with "kulluhum" (all of them).
3. The further emphasis of the emphasis with "ajma'un" (together).
And Allah Almighty's saying (Or were you among the exalted ones?) is a reprimand to Iblis for his arrogance, and "the exalted ones" are the arrogant. This statement contradicts the consensus of the scholars and the clear meaning of the Quran, and it is not supported by any sound evidence.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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