Articles Q&A
Courtesy of Submission.org

Is 19 the number of the angels of Hell ?

For centuries, the Muslim scholars could not figure out what is meant by the number 19 mentioned in the Quran in 74:30. The verse simply states "Over it is 19" . The best they could come up with was that 19 could be the number of the angels of Hell , despite the fact that God in next verse told them, NOBODY knows the number of the angels of Hell except He. The mathematical miracle of the Quran was destined for our generation who will have the mathematical ability provided by the computer era. Quran is not a static book but a dynamic one and it serves the people in different communities as their need and knowledge change. With the discovery of the mathematical miracle of the Quran we now know that this number 19 was pointing to the miracle.

The word that means number in Arabic ('Adad) comes from the root word ("Adda). God told us in the Quran that He counted the numbers of all things. See 72:28 (yes it just happened to be 7+2+2+8 = 19.) God used the word ('Adda) in all its forms in the whole Quran 57 times, and yes 57 is 19 X 3.

Many readers of our site asked about 74:31 and the word mentioned in this verse (Eddatahum) = their numbers. The word (Eddatahum) is mentioned in the whole Quran only twice, in 74:31 and in 18:22. In both instances the word definitely means their numbers.

74:31, the verse says, we made (Eddatahum) their number, (Fitna) a test to :
(1) disturb the disbelievers.
(2) to convince the people of the book (that the Quran is divine).....etc.

God specifically is talking about THEIR NUMBER (19). If God wants to talk about the Angels of Hell causing these tests, there would have been no need to mention their number as the verse states. The verse could have stated (We appointed angels to be guardians of Hell, and we made THEM (Fitna)) But the true verse says we made their NUMBER (Eddatahum) Fitna (test). We have to believe that God knows what He is saying. We have to believe that God means what He is saying. God comes FIRST. There is no second to Him. So even if someone decides to believe that number 19 could the number of angels of Hell, the verse is saying that it is the number 19 that will be doing the five mentioned functions in the verse. With simple logic any intelligent person can realize that having 19 angels of Hell would not increase the faith of the believers , convince the Jews and Christians that this Quran is God's word, or remove all traces of doubt from the heart of the Jews or Christians.

"We appointed angels to be guardians of Hell, and we assigned their number (Eddatahum) (19) (1) to disturb the disbelievers. (2) to convince the Christians and Jews (that this is a divine scripture), (3) to strengthen the faith of the faithful, (4) to remove all the traces of doubt from the hearts of the Christians, Jews as well as the believers, and (5) to expose those who harbor doubt in their hearts, and the disbelievers; they will say, "What did God mean by this allegory? God thus sends astray whomever He wills, and guides whomever He wills. NONE KNOWS the soldiers of your Lord except He. THIS IS A REMINDER FOR THE PEOPLE. ' 74:31

God clarifies this for His true believers by using the same word (Eddatahum) again in 18:22 to tell us He means the number.

"Some would say "They were three; their dog being the fourth, "While others would say, "Five, the sixth being their dog," as they guessed. Others said, "Seven," and the eighth was their dog. SAY, "My Lord is the best Knower of (Eddatahum) their number"...."

"God thus explains His revelations for you, that you MAY understand." 2:242 God does not say (that you have to understand), there shall be no compulsion in religion.