TYPES OF COMPANIONS:
There are two types of companions that are assigned to man: those from amongst the jinn and those who are angels. The first type of companion is evil and mischievous; it is Satan or the demon accompanying human beings. The second type of companion is good; these are the angels who accompany Muslims.
PROOF THAT ANGELS ARE ASSIGNED TO HUMAN BEINGS:
Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an:
“For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession before and behind him: they guard him by command of Allah.”
(Surat ar-Ra’d: Verse 11)
And,
“and He sets guardians over you.”
(Surat al-An’am: Verse 61)
And
“There is no soul but has a protector over it.”
(Surat at-Tariq: Verse 4)
And
“But verily over you (are appointed angels) to protect you.”
(Surat al-Infitaar: Verse 10)
Allah is All-Aware of the actions of His slaves, and even their innermost thoughts. His Grace encompasses each person and protects him – if only he were to seek protection from harm and evil; and if one should think – out of his own ignorance -that he can conceal the sins he commits in secret, such an individual is in plain error; for angels record all the thoughts and deeds of man.
Ibn Kathir said:
“For every servant there are angels in succession before and behind him, guardians by day and guardians by night; they guard him against any harm or accidents. There are also guardian angels who write down all that we do, good and bad deeds; one angel on the right who records good deeds and one angel on the left who records bad deeds. So in total there are four angels, one behind, one in front, one on the right and one on the left; they come in turns, some at night and some by day.”
Abu Hurairah (RadiyAllahu Anhu) narrated that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“Angels keep on descending from and ascending to Heaven in turns; some at night and some by day, and all of them assemble together at the time of the Fajr and ‘Asr prayers. Then those who have stayed with you overnight ascend unto Allah Who asks them -and He knows the answer better than they do “How have you left My servants?” They reply, “We left them praying, as we found them praying.”
If anyone of you says “Amin” (during the prayer at the end of the recitation of Surat-al-Fatiha), and the angels in Heaven say ‘Amin’ at the same time, all his past sins would be forgiven.,,”
[ Sahih al-Bukhari (3223) Sahih Muslim (632), an-Nasa’i’; (11240-241), Imam Ahmed: (2/257, 312, 486) and others]
The assembling of the Angels at the time of Fajr and ‘Asr prayers is part of Allah’s kindness and honour towards His believing servants. These angels only leave Muslims on three occasions: At the time of sexual intercourse, upon entering the toilet, and when having a bath.
Ibn Omar (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“Avoid being naked, for with you are those who never leave you except when you are relieving yourselves, and when a man has intercourse with his wife; so observe modesty before them and honour them. ,,”
[At-Tirmidhi (2800) who classified it as Hadith Gharib (strange, scarce)]
In another Hadith, reported by Ibn Abbas (RA), the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“Allah forbids you to be naked, so show modesty before Allah’s angels, who do not leave you except on three occasions: when you are relieving yourselves, when a man has intercourse with his wife, and when you take a (ritual) bath.,,”
[AI-Bazzar with an Isnad Hasan, as in “Mujma’ az-Zawa’id’; (1/268 269). 29]
THE EVIL COMPANION:
The evil companion makes mischief, and causes evil to appear as something good to one, and whispers to them to commit sins.
‘Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“Satan exercises his influence upon the son of Adam, as does the angel with his influence (upon him). The influence of Satan is that he holds the promise of evil and denial of truth. And the influence of the angel is that he holds the promise of good news and the affirmation of truth. Thus he who perceives this (i.e. the good promise) should praise Allah, while he who finds contrary to it, he should seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed.
He (SAWS) then recited this verse:
“Satan threatens you with the prospect of poverty, and bids you to be indecent.”
[(Surat al-Baqarah: Verse 268)
and the Hadith is reported by At-Tinnidhi (2988) and Ibn Hibban: (993); however al-Bani classified it as Da’if in his “Da’ifal-Ja’mi” (1961)]
Hence, the evil companion orders men to commit evil and mischief, and also makes sins and misdeeds appear good to them.