Do Angels Love People?
Do angels love people? If they do, is it because Allah (swt) commands them so or is it because of their own will and preference to love?
“Those (angels) who carry the Throne and the ones around it glorify their Lord with thanks and believe in Him and ask for forgiveness for those who believe (like themselves). (They say,) “Our Lord! You have encompassed everything in the aspect of mercy and knowledge; then, bestow forgiveness upon those who repent and follow your path, and protect them from the torment of Hell!” (Surah al Mumin, 7)
As stated in the aforesaid ayah, angels love the people who live for the sake of Allah (swt) and when they commit sin, angels ask Allah for their forgiveness.
Besides, they curse the people who are disbelievers:
“In truth, the deniers will be called out (by angels in the hereafter:) “Surely, the wrath of Allah (on you) is greater than your own wrath towards yourself; because you have been invited to faith, but you have been denying.” (Surah al-Mumin, 10)
Unless Allah (swt) informs, none of the angels, even Gabriel -the closest angel to Allah (swt)- could know whether a person gained the consent and love of Allah (swt).
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah, (PBUH) said:
"When Allah loves a slave, He calls Jibril (Gabriel) and says: `I love so-and-so; so love him.' And then Jibril loves him. Then he (Jibril) announces in the heavens saying: Allah loves so-and-so; so love him; then the inhabitants of the heavens (the angels) also love him; and then people on earth love him.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
The following ayah expresses this meaning:
“Lo! Those who believe and do good works, the Beneficent (Allah) will bestow for them love (in hearts)” (Surah al Maryam, 96)
“ And when Allah hates a slave, He calls Jibril and says: `I hate so-and-so, so hate him.' Then Jibril also hates him. He (Jibril) then announces amongst the inhabitants of heavens: `Verily, Allah hates so-and-so, so you also hate him.' Thus they also start to hate him. Then he becomes the object of hatred on the earth also".
Since the angels are away from the effects of nafs and satan, they use their wills in the way Allah (swt) commands, willingly. If they will use their wills in order not to do something, they use it in not doing the deeds Allah forbids. And they find a deep pleasure in obeying whatever Allah (swt) commands. Because they don’t have nafs and satan to decrease their pleasures. Besides, they never desire anything out of the consent and permission of Allah (swt).
In brief, angels, as a result of the command of Allah (swt), love the people who believe and do good deeds. And they feel desire and pleasure for this.