Are deeds recorded where angels don't go?

Sources

• ✓ 45:29 · Al-Jaathiya

  45:29 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall

  هَٰذَا كِتَٰبُنَا يَنطِقُ عَلَيْكُم بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا نَسْتَنسِخُ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

  This Our Book pronounceth against you with truth. Lo! We have caused (all) that ye did to be recorded.

• ✓ Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 45:29

  Sunni

  Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 45:29

  Allah declares here that He alone is the sovereign master of the heavens and the earth, who governs both worlds — the present life and the hereafter. This is why the verse begins with, "And on the Day the Hour arises," referring to the Day of Resurrection. On this day, "the losers will be those who deny God and reject the clear signs and evidences He revealed to His messengers," namely the disbelievers. Ibn Abi Hatim reports that when Sufyan ath-Thawri arrived in Medina, he heard one of the people of Ma'afir speaking frivolously. He admonished him, saying, "O old man, did you not know that there is a day upon which the losers shall be those who deny Allah?" This admonition became well known in Ma'afir until Sufyan passed away; Ibn Abi Hatim relates this report. The verse continues: "And you will see every nation kneeling." This is understood to mean that all peoples will be brought before Hellfire so severely that none but they will kneel, even the great Prophet Ibrahim the Friend of God will plead, saying, "My own self, my own self, today I will ask You only for my own self." Even Jesus Christ will say, "Today I ask You not for Mary who bore me, but only for my own self." Scholars like Mujahid, Ka'b al-Ahbar, and al-Hasan al-Basri interpret "every nation kneeling" as literally on their knees. Others, such as Ikrimah, say it means each group kneeling separately to one side, not literally on the knees. The former interpretation is more authentic, and both views can be reconciled. Ibn Abi Hatim also transmits that the Prophet ﷺ said, "I see you kneeling in groups before Hellfire." Isma'il ibn Rafi' narrated from Muhammad ibn Ka'b from Abu Hurayrah that on the topic of the trumpet blast, people will be distinguished and nations will kneel, as Allah says, "And you will see every nation kneeling, every nation called to its record." This shows harmony between the interpretations—people will be gathered humiliated and kneeling, each summoned to their own record. The next phrase, "Every nation is called to its record," refers to the book of deeds for each group, as God says elsewhere, "And the book is placed, and the prophets and the witnesses are brought forward." Therefore, the verse goes on to say, "Today you are recompensed for what you used to do," indicating everyone will be judged fairly based on their deeds, both good and bad. This aligns with other divine statements warning that all will be made aware of what they sent ahead and left behind; no one will be wronged. "This is Our record speaking about you with truth" means this book of deeds contains the full and exact account of all your actions without any addition or omission. Allah affirms this when He says that the book leaves out no small or great deed and that those who transgress will see their deeds plainly before them. Finally, the verse states, "Indeed, We were writing down what you used to do," which clarifies that God commands the angels to record every human action. Ibn Abbas and others explain that angels write down every deed of the servants, then these records are taken up to the heavens where they meet the angels in charge of the registers containing the Preserved Tablet that Allah inscribed before creation. This record is perfectly preserved, without any increase or decrease. The verse reaffirms this process: "Indeed, We were recording what you used to do."

• ✓ Sunan Abu Dawud 34:133

  Sunni Daif (per Al-Albani)

  Sunan Abu Dawud · Book 34, Hadith 133 · Narrated by Ali

  The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Angels do not enter a house in which there is a picture, a dog, or a person in a state of major ritual impurity.