Is Iblis, may Allah curse him, an angel or not? And if he is not an angel then what is the meaning of exclusion in Allah's Words: “All the angels prostrated themselves, except Iblis.” (Qur'an, 15:30-31)? A – It should be known that angels are creatures of Allah. He created them from light, they never disobey Him, and do as He says. As for Iblis (Satan), Allah mentioned that he was amongst the Jinn, Allah says: “...and when We said to the angels, prostrate to Adam, they all did, except Iblis who was from the Jinn, who transgressed the command of his Lord. (Qur'an, 18:50) Allah mentions in the Qur'an what Iblis said when He commanded him to prostrate to Adam. He said: “You created me from Fire, and You created him from clay.” (Qur'an, 38:76) As for the type of exception, in His Words: “All the angels prostrated themselves, except Iblis,” it is a separate exclusion, as one may say: ‘Everyone came except for a donkey.' There are some people of knowledge who say Iblis, may Allah curse him, is an angel except that he disobeyed Allah, the Exalted, and insisted on being disobedient. Iblis deserved the curse of Allah till the Day of Recompense. – Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Verdicts; Fatawa Islamiyah, vol. 1, pg. 96 Sunnah prayers during travel Q – Is the requirement for offering the fixed Sunnah prayers lifted during travel, and (if so) what is the evidence for this? A – It is prescribed for one to leave the fixed Sunnah prayers during travel, except Witr and the Sunnah of Fajr. It has been authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the Hadith of Ibn Umar and others, that the Prophet would not pray the fixed Sunnah prayers while traveling, except Witr and the Sunnah of Fajr. As for the supererogatory prayer, they are prescribed during travel and while one is resident, and likewise the prayers for whose performance there is a reason, such as the Sunnah of Wudhu, Tawaf, Adh-Dhuha, and Tahajjud prayer at night, based upon Hadiths which have been narrated to that effect. – Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Baz; Fatawa Islamiyah, vol. 2, pg. 431 __
