"Hamran ibn A'yun," a prominent disciple of Imam Baqir (peace be upon him), inquires of that noble Imam: How is it that while in your presence, our hearts are soft and tranquil, and our soul forgets the worldly life, rendering what others possess meaningless to us? Yet when we depart from your presence and interact with people and merchants, we again fall into the traps of worldly attachments?

Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) initially responds that this fluctuation is a condition of the heart, which can be hard at times and soft at others:

«إنّما هي القلوب مرّةً تصعب ومرّة تسهل».

"Indeed, it is the hearts that sometimes grow hard and sometimes soften." He then elaborates that the companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) voiced a similar concern in his presence, expressing:

«يا رسول اللّه نخاف علينا النّفاق»

"O Messenger of Allah, we fear falling into hypocrisy." The Prophet asked:

«ولِمَ تخافون ذلك»

 "And why do you fear that?" The companions replied that being in your presence revitalizes the remembrance of Allah, the Glorious, encouraging virtues, and instills a fear of impurities and also asceticism and forgetfulness towards the worldly life fill up our being. So, it feels as if we can see the Hereafter, Paradise, and Hell with our very own eyes while we are with you. However, once we leave your presence and return to our homes, mingling with our families, we are at risk of losing all that spirituality and divine insight in an instant. Are you also worried that this condition of ours might be hypocrisy?

The Prophet (peace be upon him) first dismissed hypocrisy in this matter, viewing that change of state as the steps of Satan to entice believers toward worldly life, stating:

«كلاّ إنّ هذه خطوات الشّيطان فيرغّبكم في الدّنيا».

 "Never! Indeed, these are the steps of Satan that draw you toward the world." He then referred to the topic of companionship with angels, asserting: "By God! If you had maintained that state you described and consistently nurtured those angelic qualities, safeguarding yourselves, you would have soared to heights where the angels of God would shake hands with you and, you would walk on earth so light that you could walk on the surface of the seas and pass safely:

«واللّه لو تدومون علي الحالة الّتي وصفتم أَنفسكم بها لصافحتكم الملائكة ومشيتم علي الماء...»

​​​​​​​“By God, if you maintained the state you described, the angels would have shaken hands with you and you would have walked on water..."
Thus, companionship with angels and shaking hands with them is an attainable goal, and many have experienced such communion with angels in both sleep and wakefulness. The Holy Quran illuminates this path by detailing the etiquette and traditions of the angels, encouraging and aiding humanity on this journey.

The Form and Conduct of Man in the Quran, pages 206, 207