Transliteration:( Qul law kaana fil ardi malaaa 'ikatuny yamshoona mutma'in neena lanazzalnaa 'alaihim minas samaaa'i malakar Rasoolaa )
"Say, 'If there had been angels walking on the earth in peace [196], We would have certainly sent down to them from the heavens an angel as a messenger [197].'" [95]
While some angels are present on earth, their actual dwelling place is not here, but in the unseen realm. Hence, the expression "walking in peace" implies:
If angels were naturally dwelling and moving among humans like people do, things would be different.
The presence of angels on earth is like government officers sent temporarily for duty—not as permanent residents.
This clarifies that there's no contradiction, since Hadith Shareef affirms the presence of angels on earth, but not as permanent inhabitants.
If the earth were inhabited by angels, Allah Almighty would have sent an angel as a prophet to them.
But since humans live here, the prophet must be a human,
One who can relate to their nature, language, culture, and emotions.
This exposes the error in the disbelievers’ demand that a prophet be an angel. Their argument was rooted in ignorance and contradiction—
They saw angels as superior, yet it was angels who prostrated to man, not the other way around.
This highlights the honor and rank of human beings, especially those whom Allah chooses as His messengers.
The tafsir of Surah Al-Isra verse 95 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Isra ayat 94 which provides the complete commentary from verse 94 through 95.
(17:95) Say: “Had angels been walking about in peace on the earth, We would surely have sent to them an angel from the heavens as Messenger.”[108]
108. This is to say that Messenger does not merely convey the message but is sent to reform human life in accordance with it. He has to apply the principles of the message to the circumstances of human beings and has himself to demonstrate practically those principles. Moreover, he has to remove the misunderstandings of those people who try to listen to and understand his message. Besides this, he has to organize and train the believers to create a society based on the teachings of his message. He has to struggle against those who reject and oppose his message in order to subdue those powers that are bent upon corruption, and bring about that reformation for which Allah has sent His Messenger. As all these things have to be done in a society of human beings only a human Messenger can perform the mission. If an angel had been sent as a Messenger, the most he could have done was to convey the message, for he could not live among human beings and share their life and problems in order to reform them. It is thus clear that a human Messenger only could be suitable for this purpose.
[774]- i.e., who were settled and established there, as is man.
For a faster and smoother experience,
install our mobile app now.
Related Ayat(Verses)/Topics