1.1. Definition of the angels in linguistic terms
The Arabic word mala’ikah (sing. malak), meaning angels, comes from a root which indicates carrying a message. [1] See: Ibn Faris: Maqayis al-Lughah, 1/132; al-Wahidi: al-Tafsir al-Basit, 2/316; Ibn Manzur: Lisan al-‘Arab, 10/481); al-Ba‘li: al-Mutli‘ ‘ala Alfaz al-Muqni‘, p. 345; al-Kafawi: al-Kulliyyat, p. 900.
Ibn Tamiyah said, “The angels are messengers of Allah who carry out His universal command through which He controls the heavens and the earth… And they carry out His religious command, which the angels bring down.” [2] See: Majmu‘ al-Fatawa, 4/119.

1.2. Definition of the angels in Islamic terminology:
In Islamic terminology, the angels are honoured slaves of Allah. He Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, created them from light. They do not disobey Allah in what He commands; they do what they are commanded to do. They cannot be described as being either male or female; they do not eat or drink, they do not marry, they do not grow weary or tired. No one knows their number except Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, and they have immense strength and power to move from one place to another and to take on different forms. [3] See: Ibn ‘Adil: al-Lubab fi ‘Ulum al-Kitab, 1/497; al-‘Ayni: ‘Umdat al-Qari, 15/123; al-Safarini: Lawami‘ al-Anwar al-Bahiyyah, 1/447; Hafiz al-Hakami: A‘lam al-Sunnah al-Manshurah, p. 41.