Harut

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Harut (Arabic: هاروت)(also known as Azazel )is one of two angels mentioned in the Qur'an, who were sent down to test the people at Babel. (Sura Al-Baqara, verse 102). He is accompanied by Marut.

In Islam in contrast to Christianity and Judaism, Angelic beings can not disobey Allah's (God's) commands. The concept of "fallen angels" goes against Islamic teaching. This is clearly outlined in the following verse of the Quran.

16:49-50: And to Allâh prostate all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, of the live moving creatures and the angels, and they are not proud [i.e. they worship their Lord (Allâh) with humility]. They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.

Keeping in mind the above verse, we can now interpret the following verse of the Quran which deals with the two angels Harut and Marut.

Chapter 2 Verse 102: "They followed what the devils gave out (falsely) against the power of Solomon: the blasphemers Were, not Solomon, but the devils, teaching men Magic, and such things as came down at babylon to the angels Harut and Marut. But neither of these taught anyone (Such things) without saying: "We are only for trial; so do not blaspheme." They learned from them the means to sow discord between man and wife. But they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's permission. And they learned what harmed them, not what profited them. And they knew that the buyers of (magic) would have no share in the happiness of the Hereafter. And vile was the price for which they did sell their souls, if they but knew!"

The strongest and most widely-accepted interpretation of this verse is that Harut and Marut did not deceive the people. It's true that they taught the people occult sciences, but they did warn their students about the temptation that comes with knowledge. They told prospective students that "we are but a test [for your faith]", that the practice of sorcery amounts to disbelief in God, and that they should therefore not learn sorcery. So when someone came forth of his own choice and decided not to heed the warning, it meant that he willingly chose disbelief. Later their teachings were used by subsequent generations of humans to practice black magic and sorcery. Moreover, this verse vindicates the character of Solomon, a prophet just like all the other prophets, all were held in high regard by Muslims.

[edit] Alternative view

An alternative interpretation presented by the Ahmadiyya muslims regarding Harut and Marut is that they were not angels but pious people, who led the enslaved Jewish people during their captivity in Babylon. The reference in the Verse mentioned above is to the history of formation of Secret societies in jewish history. Differentiation is given between the Masons who organized themselves against King Solomon and the secret society formed by Harut and Marut in Babylon.Tafseer e Kabeer

For more information visit: http://www.islamawareness.net/Angels/disobey.html