Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
The angels are created beings and servants of Allah Almighty, and every created being is in need of Allah’s mercy and bounty, regardless of how great their obedience and rank may be. The fact that the angels do not disobey Allah does not mean that they are independent of His mercy. Rather, they hope for His mercy, fear His punishment, and worship Him as He has commanded them. Therefore, there is nothing problematic about praying for peace and mercy upon them. It is authentically reported that Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, returned the greeting of peace to Jibril, peace be upon him, and prayed for mercy and blessings upon him.
No.
The salutation at the end of the prayer has more than one meaning. Among them is exiting the prayer, while the worshipper also intends to greet those around him.
The imam intends to greet those praying behind him, the follower intends to greet the imam and the other worshippers with him, and the person praying alone intends to conclude his prayer and greet the angels who are with him.
Therefore, it is not correct to understand the salutation as being directed exclusively to the angel on the right or the angel on the left.
No.
The majority of scholars held that the prescribed form of salutation is for the worshipper to say to his right and his left:
“Peace and the mercy of Allah be upon you.”
This has been authentically established in several hadiths.
As for adding “and His blessings” (wa barakatuh), scholars differed over the authenticity of its narration and where it should be said. Some considered the reports authentic, some did not consider them established, and others accepted the phrase in certain forms of the salutation.
Therefore, adding “wa barakatuh” has nothing to do with the angel on the right, nor with the fact that the angel on the left records bad deeds.
Because they are created beings, and every created being is dependent upon Allah Almighty.
Obedience and being protected from disobedience do not make a created being independent of the mercy of his Creator.
It is authentically reported that the Prophet ﷺ said to Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her:
“This is Jibril. He conveys greetings of peace to you.”
She replied:
“And upon him be peace, the mercy of Allah, and His blessings.”
[Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Thus, she prayed for Jibril, peace be upon him—one of the greatest angels—to receive mercy and blessings.
This demonstrates that praying for mercy upon the angels is valid and presents no problem.
Yes. The angels are servants of Allah, and worship of Allah is based upon love, fear, and hope.
Allah Almighty says:
“Those whom they invoke themselves seek a means of nearness to their Lord, which of them will be nearer, and they hope for His mercy and fear His punishment. Indeed, the punishment of your Lord is something to be feared.”
[Al-Isra 17:57]
Scholars have mentioned that this verse includes those who were worshipped besides Allah among the angels, prophets, and righteous people, even though they themselves are servants of Allah who seek nearness to Him, hope for His mercy, and fear Him.
Allah Almighty also says concerning the angels:
“They fear their Lord above them and do what they are commanded.”
[An-Nahl 16:50]
And He says:
“And they are apprehensive out of fear of Him.”
[Al-Anbiya 21:28]
Therefore, the fact that they do not disobey Allah does not negate their fear of Him, their hope in Him, or their dependence upon Him.
It is not correct to say that they are completely free from religious obligations and commands.
The angels are commanded to worship and obey Allah, and they carry out whatever He commands them to do.
Allah Almighty says:
“They do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.”
[At-Tahrim 66:6]
The difference between them and human beings is therefore not that they have no worship or commands to fulfill, but that they were created upon obedience to Allah and do not disobey Him in what He commands them.
Allah’s mercy and bounty are the foundation of salvation and honor, while righteous deeds are a means of attaining this mercy and are not an independent price for it.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“No one’s deeds will admit him into Paradise.”
They asked:
“Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?”
He replied:
“Not even me, unless Allah envelops me in His bounty and mercy.”
[Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
If the Prophet ﷺ, who is the best of humankind, was in need of Allah’s bounty and mercy, then it is not surprising that all other created beings are likewise in need of them.
In the Tashahhud, a Muslim says:
“Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.”
Our prayer for mercy upon the Prophet ﷺ does not mean that he is sinful or deprived of mercy. Rather, it is a supplication for an increase in Allah’s bounty, mercy, and honor upon him.
The same applies when praying for the angels.
Mercy is not limited to the forgiveness of sins. Rather, it has a broad meaning that includes kindness, bounty, protection, honor, and an increase in goodness.
Although the angels do not disobey Allah, they are created beings who are dependent upon Him. They need His mercy and bounty, hope for Him, fear Him, and worship Him. Therefore, it is valid to pray for peace and mercy upon them. It is authentically reported that Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said concerning Jibril, peace be upon him: “And upon him be peace, the mercy of Allah, and His blessings.”
Likewise, the salutation at the end of the prayer is not exclusively directed toward the angels, and adding “wa barakatuh” is not connected to the angel on the right or the left. Rather, it is a jurisprudential matter over which scholars have differed.
And Allah knows best.