Human vs. Angel

In the Ibn’Arabi reading this week, the discussion of the “Human vs. Angel” caught my attention.  More specifically, the error of binding that occurs with angels.  In my defense, I view an angel as this delicate, pure, benevolent, figure who is the messenger of God.  They are these innocent creatures and are completely faultless.  With a halo above their heads and a pair of wings, they can do no wrong, right?  Well, apparently that is not the case.

 Firstly, angels commit the error of binding.  They are guilty of “[attempting] to fix the deity of within a particular manifestation.” (79)  Each possess their are own perspective and are bound to it so they only see God partially because “the real has an infinite number of names and manifestations.  Each manifestation is valid in itself.” (79) By fixing the real into only one form, they deny the real’s true nature.  And to bind the real into a precise form is the ultimate error.  It appears that an angel is no longer the epitome of perfection.

In addition to my disbelief, is the thought that humans are superior to angels in some aspect.  “The angels, regardless of the intensity of their powers, are not universal.  Only human nature can achieve universality or completeness.” (78)  To be frankly honest, I find this rather humorous because… angels took pride that they are superior among the others because they praised Allah above the other divine names.  I guess it makes sense that this will make them more worthy than humans.  But because of that flawed arrogance, they can never reach full realization.  While on the other hand, a mere human is capable of realizing both creation and the real and achieving completeness.  Like in Greek tragedy, the angels’ hubris of praising God the best, led them to their shortcoming.