al-Habaik fi Akhbar al-Malaik
- Author died
- 911 AH
- Editions
- Dār al-Kutub al-‘Ilmīyah
al-Habaik fi Akhbar al-Malaik (The Woven Threads on the Traditions of the Angels) is a hadith and theological treatise by the Egyptian scholar al-Jalal al-Suyuti (849–911 AH / 1445–1505 CE) dedicated to assembling narrations regarding angels.
Scope and Method
In his introduction, al-Suyuti states that he composed the work to gather comprehensively the prophetic hadiths and transmitted reports (athar) regarding the angels, concluding the compilation with a section of scholarly benefits and insights (fawa'id).
The text addresses the creation, characteristics, duties, and ranks of the angels, as well as specific theological questions concerning them. Among the issues examined is whether angels die upon the sounding of the blast of stunning (nafkhat al-sa'q), where al-Suyuti affirms their mortality based on textual evidence, noting reports concerning the exceptions and eventual death of the Bearers of the Throne, Gabriel, Michael, Israfil, and the Angel of Death. In assembling the material, al-Suyuti drew upon earlier hadith collections and treatises, including Kitab al-'Arsh by Muhammad ibn 'Uthman ibn Abi Shaybah and Kitab al-Ruh by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya.
Reception and Editions
The bibliographer Hajji Khalifa recorded the work in Kashf al-Zunun as a treatise by al-Suyuti that comprehensively covers transmitted traditions and reports about angels.
The text has been published in modern print, including an edition with commentary by 'Abd Allah al-Siddiq issued by Matba'at al-Ta'lif in Egypt, as well as an edition edited by Abu Hajar Muhammad al-Sa'id ibn Basyuni Zaghlul, published by Dar al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyya in Beirut in 1405 AH / 1985 CE.
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