A reflection on Surah Ghafir 40:7 - the angels who carry Allah's Throne, and their continual dua asking forgiveness for every believer.
At Darus Saulieghien Quraan Academy, we often remind our students that they are never as alone or unnoticed as they may feel. The Qur'an describes something remarkable: the angels nearest to Allah's (SWT) Throne are, at this very moment, asking forgiveness on behalf of every believer.
A Dua You Never Asked For
Allah (SWT) describes them:
ٱلَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ ٱلْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُۥ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ ... وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَٱغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ سَبِيلَكَ
"Those who carry the Throne and those around it exalt Allah with praise of their Lord... and ask forgiveness for those who have believed: 'Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way.'" (Surah Ghafir 40:7)
The Prophet (SAW) added another dimension: "Allah has angels who roam the roads seeking out the people of remembrance of Allah... they encircle them with their wings up to the sky." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6408; Sahih Muslim 2689)
What This Means for Our Students
A student who feels unseen after a difficult day, a parent carrying an unspoken worry, none of them are forgotten before Allah (SWT). We encourage our students to sit in gatherings of dhikr, in the classroom, at home, precisely because the angels are drawn to exactly those moments.
May Allah (SWT) accept the angels' dua on behalf of our students and their families, and forgive us all with the mercy He has promised. Ameen.