Angels

The belief in angels is the second article of faith in Islam—one of the six pillars that make up the foundation of our beliefs (Basic Beliefs). Allah created these remarkable beings, each with unique roles and responsibilities. While we’ve been given insights into their nature, tasks, and even appearances, much remains beyond human knowledge. Here’s a look at what we know, what angels do, and the wonders we continue to discover about them.

What Are Angels Made Of?

Angels are created from light, and unlike humans and jinn, angels lack free will; they exist in constant worship and submission to Allah. Their lives are completely dedicated to obeying Allah without question, as the Quran states:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًۭا وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَـٰٓئِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌۭ شِدَادٌۭ لَّا يَعْصُونَ ٱللَّهَ مَآ أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ ٦

O believers! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, overseen by formidable and severe angels, who never disobey whatever Allah orders—always doing as commanded.

At-Tahrim 66:6

Known Angels and Their Roles

The Quran and Hadith introduce us to certain angels by name and describe the specific duties Allah has assigned to them. Each angel fulfils a unique role with perfect obedience:

• Jibril (Gabriel) – The Chief Messenger: Jibril is responsible for delivering Allah’s revelations to the prophets, including bringing down the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Known as the “trustworthy spirit,” Jibril has a majestic presence, reportedly with 600 wings, as described in hadith. He is one of the highest-ranking angels.
• Mikail (Michael) – Angel of Sustenance: Mikail is tasked with overseeing provisions on Earth, such as rain, plants, and food. He administers Allah’s mercy through nature, ensuring life’s essentials reach all creatures.
• Azra’il – Angel of Death: Known as Malak al-Mawt, Azra’il is responsible for taking souls at the time appointed by Allah. Only Allah knows when each person will pass away, but Azra’il carries out this divine command:

۞ قُلْ يَتَوَفَّىٰكُم مَّلَكُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ٱلَّذِى وُكِّلَ بِكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ ١١

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Your soul will be taken by the Angel of Death, who is in charge of you. Then to your Lord you will ˹all˺ be returned.”

As-Sajdah 32:11

• Israfil – The Caller of Resurrection: Israfil is responsible for blowing the trumpet on the Day of Judgment. This trumpet will sound twice—first to end all life and then to resurrect it. Israfil awaits Allah’s command, prepared and in waiting, for this monumental task.
• Munkar and Nakir – Questioners in the Grave: After death, each soul is visited in the grave by these two angels, who ask questions about one’s beliefs. This questioning marks the beginning of our journey into the hereafter.
• Harut and Marut – Angels Sent to Babylon: Harut and Marut were sent as a test to the people of Babylon. They taught people about magic but warned them against obtaining this knowledge beforehand. Their story is a reminder of Allah’s wisdom and the trials He allows.

The Recording Angels: Kiraman Katibin

Each of us has two angels assigned to us—one recording our good deeds and the other our bad deeds. These angels, called Kiraman Katibin, follow us throughout our lives, recording our actions for the Day of Judgment:

وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ لَحَـٰفِظِينَ ١٠

كِرَامًۭا كَـٰتِبِينَ ١١

while you are certainly observed by vigilant, honourable angels, recording ˹everything˺.

Al-Infitar 82:10-1

Angels Who Guard and Protect

Allah has assigned certain angels to protect us, a constant reminder that we are under His watchful care. These protective angels surround us by Allah’s command:

لَهُۥ مُعَقِّبَـٰتٌۭ مِّنۢ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِۦ يَحْفَظُونَهُۥ مِنْ أَمْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا۟ مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ ۗ وَإِذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍۢ سُوٓءًۭا فَلَا مَرَدَّ لَهُۥ ۚ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَالٍ ١١

For each one there are successive angels before and behind, protecting them by Allah’s command. Indeed, Allah would never change a people’s state ˹of favour˺ until they change their own state ˹of faith˺. And if it is Allah’s Will to torment a people, it can never be averted, nor can they find a protector other than Him.

Ar-Ra’d 13:11

The Vast Number of Angels

The exact number of angels is unknown, but the Quran and Hadith indicate that they are countless. In a hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) described the grandeur of Al-Bayt Al-Ma’mur, the “Frequented House” in the heavens, where 70,000 angels worship daily without ever returning, implying the limitless creation of angels.

Angels’ Appearances and Forms

Angels have awe-inspiring appearances that can vary according to their roles. Some have been described with multiple wings—Jibril, for instance, was seen with 600 wings. They also possess forms that allow them to carry out their responsibilities with immense strength. For example, the angels who hold Allah’s Throne (Arsh) are so magnificent that the Prophet (ﷺ) described their size as immense beyond human comprehension.

Angels and the Protection of Divine Revelation

Angels also play a role in protecting Allah’s revelations. They guard against any interference by jinn who attempt to eavesdrop on divine knowledge. When jinn try to ascend the heavens to listen, angels hurl meteor-like missiles at them, as the Quran describes:

وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِمَصَـٰبِيحَ وَجَعَلْنَـٰهَا رُجُومًۭا لِّلشَّيَـٰطِينِ ۖ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلسَّعِيرِ ٥

And indeed, We adorned the lowest heaven with ˹stars like˺ lamps, and made them ˹as missiles˺ for stoning ˹eavesdropping˺ devils, for whom We have also prepared the torment of the Blaze.

Al-Mulk 67:5

Story time: Did you know this verse is a proof against soothsayers? Jinns climb one another, and when they manage to eavesdrop on a message from the first heaven, they bring it to their human accomplice who mixes it with 99 lies. This is why soothsayers can sometimes seem accurate—they might have a grain of truth, but it’s buried under a mountain of falsehoods. The verse highlights the divine protection of heavenly secrets and the futility of relying on soothsayers for true guidance.

How Angels Worship Allah

Angels are in constant worship, glorifying and praising Allah day and night without pause. Some angels are dedicated solely to acts of prostration or standing before Allah, continuously worshipping without any interruption:

يُسَبِّحُونَ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ لَا يَفْتُرُونَ ٢٠

They glorify ˹Him˺ day and night, never wavering.

Al-Anbiya 21:20

The Unseen: What We Don’t Know

While we’ve been given rich details, there is much about angels that remains unseen and beyond our understanding. Islamic teachings remind us that certain knowledge belongs only to Allah, who has chosen to reveal only what benefits us in this life and the next. Islam teaches us to accept that some knowledge is reserved for Allah alone, inspiring humility and reverence.

Also, think about the angels and jinn – despite their abilities, they are also limited in their knowledge. They can see us, but they only know what Allah permits them to know.

وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّى جَاعِلٌۭ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةًۭ ۖ قَالُوٓا۟ أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ٣٠

وَعَلَّمَ ءَادَمَ ٱلْأَسْمَآءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنۢبِـُٔونِى بِأَسْمَآءِ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ ٣١

قَالُوا۟ سُبْحَـٰنَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَآ إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ٣٢

˹Remember˺ when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to place a successive ˹human˺ authority on earth.” They asked ˹Allah˺, “Will You place in it someone who will spread corruption there and shed blood while we glorify Your praises and proclaim Your holiness?” Allah responded, “I know what you do not know.” He taught Adam the names of all things, then He presented them to the angels and said, “Tell Me the names of these, if what you say is true?” They replied, “Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. You are truly the All-Knowing, All-Wise.”

Al-Baqarah 30-32

Angels as a Reminder of the Unseen World

Belief in angels connects us to the vast, unseen world Allah has created—a realm that encourages us to remember His constant presence and power. Ultimately, belief in angels strengthens our faith and humility. While we understand some of their roles—from messengers and protectors to recorders and guardians—much about them remains a divine mystery. They remind us that Allah’s mercy, guidance, and justice are always near, even if beyond our senses.

This delicate balance between knowledge and the unknown calls us to trust in Allah’s wisdom and His greater plan.

As we reflect on these magnificent beings, may our belief in angels deepen our faith and inspire us to seek closeness to our Creator, accepting both what He has revealed and what remains hidden. Ameen.