In Islam, angels (Mala’ika) are divine beings created by Allah from light, and they are tasked with carrying out His commands. They do not have free will like humans and jinn; instead, they are completely obedient to Allah’s will. The number of angels is vast, far beyond human comprehension, and though we are not given a specific number, many angels are mentioned in the Quran and Hadith, each with distinct roles.
Here is a list of some of the major angels in Islam and their roles:
Jibril (جبريل) – Gabriel
Role: Jibril is considered the chief of the angels and is the angel of revelation. He delivered Allah’s messages to the prophets, including the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He also communicated Allah’s commands to the other prophets, such as Moses, Jesus, and Abraham.
Key Function: Messenger of Allah’s revelations.
Mikail (ميكائيل) – Michael
Role: Mikail is responsible for providing nourishment to human bodies and souls. He oversees the natural forces such as rain and sustenance for living beings.
Key Function: Angel of nature, in charge of weather and distribution of sustenance.
Israfil (إسرافيل) – Raphael
Role: Israfil will blow the trumpet on the Day of Judgment. The first blowing will signal the end of the world, and the second will signal the resurrection of all beings for judgment.
Key Function: Herald of the Day of Judgment.
Azrael (عزرائيل) – Malak al-Mawt (Angel of Death)
Role: Azrael is the angel responsible for taking the souls of the deceased at the time of death. His role is to gently extract the souls of the righteous and to harshly take the souls of the wicked.
Key Function: Angel of death, in charge of the departure of souls.
Munkar and Nakir (منكر ونكير)
Role: These two angels are tasked with questioning the dead in their graves. After burial, Munkar and Nakir visit the deceased to ask them about their faith, their deeds, and their belief in Allah.
Key Function: Questioners in the grave, testing the faith of the deceased.
Raqib and Atid (رقيب وعتيد)
Role: These two angels are responsible for recording the deeds of every individual. Raqib sits on the right shoulder, recording good deeds, while Atid sits on the left shoulder, recording bad deeds.
Key Function: Recorders of human deeds.
Malik (مالك)
Role: Malik is the guardian of Hellfire. He oversees the punishment of the wicked and the disbelievers who will be admitted to Hell on the Day of Judgment.
Key Function: Keeper of Hell (Jahannam).
Ridwan (رضوان)
Role: Ridwan is the gatekeeper of Paradise (Jannah). He welcomes the righteous into Paradise after they have been judged favorably by Allah.
Key Function: Guardian of Paradise.
Hafaza (الحفظة) – Guardian Angels
Role: These angels are assigned to every individual to protect them from harm. They guard humans from physical and spiritual dangers, by Allah’s command.
Key Function: Protectors and guardians of individuals.
Kiraman Katibin (كرامًا كاتبين)
Role: These are the noble scribes who record every good and bad action of humans, similar to Raqib and Atid. They ensure that no deed, big or small, goes unnoticed.
Key Function: Recording human actions.
Harut and Marut (هاروت وماروت)
Role: These angels are mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah as being sent to test the people of Babylon. They taught people magic but warned them that it was a test and that they should not misuse this knowledge.
Key Function: Angels who brought a test to the people of Babylon.
Angels of the Throne (حملة العرش)
Role: These angels carry the Throne of Allah and constantly glorify and praise Him. They are depicted as great and powerful beings, fulfilling their role in Allah’s presence.
Key Function: Bearers of Allah’s Throne.
Angels of Mercy
Role: These angels are sent to provide comfort and mercy to the believers, especially at times of difficulty or near death.
Key Function: Bringers of Allah’s mercy to the believers.
Angels of Punishment
Role: These angels are responsible for carrying out punishments on the wicked, either in this world, in the grave, or in Hell (Jahannam).
Key Function: Executors of divine punishment.
Summary of Roles:
- Messengers: Like Jibril, angels deliver Allah’s revelations and guidance to prophets.
- Recorders: Angels like Raqib, Atid, and Kiraman Katibin record human deeds for the Day of Judgment.
- Protectors: Hafaza angels guard individuals throughout their lives.
- Questioners: Munkar and Nakir question the deceased about their faith.
- Harbingers of Judgment: Angels like Israfil will signal the end times, while others manage the fates of the dead in Paradise or Hell.
