Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
There is no angel, prophet, or any other created being who knows everything in the heavens and the earth. Complete and all-encompassing knowledge of everything, as well as absolute knowledge of the unseen, belongs exclusively to Allah Almighty. As for the angels, they know only what Allah has taught them. Allah may disclose some matters of the unseen to certain angels and messengers for a particular wisdom, but this does not make them independently knowledgeable of the unseen or all-encompassing in knowledge.
One of the unique attributes of Allah Almighty is perfect knowledge and complete awareness of all things. Nothing is hidden from Him, no matter how small or concealed it may be.
Allah Almighty says:
“And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it, nor is there a grain within the darknesses of the earth, nor anything moist or dry, except that it is in a clear record.”
[Al-An'am 6:59]
This verse demonstrates the vastness and comprehensiveness of Allah’s knowledge, extending even to a falling leaf and a grain hidden in the darkness of the earth.
No.
Allah Almighty says:
“Say, ‘None in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen except Allah, nor do they perceive when they will be resurrected.’”
[An-Naml 27:65]
Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, said in his commentary:
“No one knows the unseen except Allah Almighty, for He alone is unique in this, without any partner.”
Therefore, it is not correct to believe that a close angel or a messenger-prophet knows everything that happens in the universe or encompasses all unseen matters.
The angels possess great knowledge of what Allah has taught them, but their knowledge is limited to what Allah has disclosed to them.
This meaning is clearly shown in the story of Adam, peace be upon him, when the angels said:
“Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, You are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”
[Al-Baqarah 2:32]
This verse establishes an important principle: the angels’ knowledge is neither intrinsic nor all-encompassing; rather, it is knowledge granted to them by Allah.
Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, explained that the angels glorified Allah and acknowledged that no one encompasses anything of His knowledge except what He wills, and that they know only what Allah Almighty has taught them.
Yes.
Allah’s exclusive possession of the knowledge of the unseen does not mean that He never informs anyone of any unseen matter. Rather, He may disclose certain unseen matters to whomever He wills among His creation.
Allah Almighty says:
“Knower of the unseen, and He does not disclose His unseen to anyone, except a messenger whom He has chosen; then He appoints guards before him and behind him.”
[Al-Jinn 72:26–27]
There is therefore a major difference between Allah’s intrinsic and comprehensive knowledge of the unseen and Allah teaching one of His creatures a particular unseen matter.
If an angel knows something hidden from human beings, he knows it only because Allah informed or taught him.
Allah may assign certain angels specific duties in the universe and grant them the knowledge and ability necessary to carry out what He has commanded them.
According to the fatwa, Mika'il, peace be upon him, is assigned to the rain and its distribution wherever Allah commands, and he has assistants who carry out what Allah instructs them to do.
However, carrying out such a task does not mean that the angels possess absolute knowledge of every drop of water or everything in the universe.
They know only what Allah has taught them, and they act only according to His command.
It is important to distinguish between two matters:
Allah teaching an angel what he needs in order to perform a duty assigned to him, and that angel possessing knowledge of every detail in the heavens and the earth.
The first is established and possible, whereas the second belongs exclusively to the knowledge of Allah Almighty.
Thus, no matter how great the abilities of the angels are or how much they know, they remain created beings with limited knowledge and power, entirely dependent upon Allah Almighty.
There is no angel, prophet, or any other created being who knows everything in the heavens and the earth, or who comprehensively knows the number of every drop of water, grain of soil, and all other created things. Such all-encompassing knowledge belongs to Allah Almighty alone.
As for the angels, they know only what Allah has taught them. Allah may disclose to them some matters of the unseen connected to the duties assigned to them, but they do not independently know the unseen and do not encompass all things in knowledge.
The angels themselves summarized this reality when they said:
“Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, You are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”
[Al-Baqarah 2:32]
And Allah knows best.