Do you believe that angels exist, and do you see them? Angels are extremely important in Islam; they carry God’s messages, take note of our good and bad actions, and have other unique tasks. However, just as in films or paintings, we never see them on the streets of our daily lives.
Angels are invisible friends during the journey of life, recording what we do, watching over us, and doing God’s will in secret behind the scenes. Islamic culture teaches that we will see angels last when we die and again on Judgment Day.
This unseen presence of angels reminds us that there is more to our universe than what can be seen. It’s such a lovely aspect of faith to believe in these unseen protectors who see through our lives and link our world to the divine. Let us find out what Islamic teachings teach us about the names of angels and their tasks.
Names of Angels And Their Duties In Islam
In Islamic belief, angels (malā’ikah) are light beings in heaven that are created by Allah to obey Him and conduct special missions. Below are some of the chief angels in Islamic scriptures and what they do:
Chief Angels
1. Jibrīl (Gabriel)
- Angel of Revelation
- Lowered the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad
- Carries messages of God to prophets
- Considered the most revered angel
2. Mīkā’īl (Michael)
- Regulates rain, thunder, and plant growth
- Ensures nourishing creation
- Brings benefit to mankind and the world
3. Isrāfīl (Raphael)
- Will sound the trumpet (Sur) on Judgment Day
- His first blast will kill all; his second will raise to life everyone
- Maintains the trumpet ready at all times
4. ‘Azrā’īl (Malak al-Mawt)
- The Angel of Death
- Responsible for collecting souls when people die
- Not mentioned by name in the Quran but referred to as “Malak al-Mawt”
Other Notable Angels
5. Munkar and Nakīr
- Ask the dead in graves about their religion
- First trial after death
6. Raqīb and ‘Atīd
- Account for all one’s good and bad deeds
- Raqīb records good deeds; ‘Atīd records bad deeds
7. Mālik
- Guardian of Hellfire (Jahannam)
- Portrayed in the Quran as hard and harsh
8. Riḍwān
- Guardian of Paradise (Jannah)
- Greetings, believers in Paradise
9. Ḥārūt and Mārūt
- Portrayed in the Quran as angels who introduced magic to humans as a trial
- Admonished people not to misuse their knowledge
10. Kirāman Kātibīn
- “Noble Scribes” who record all human acts
- One on the right records good acts, one on the left records sins
Islamic tradition is that there are countless angels with various duties, and these are merely the most emphasized ones enumerated in Islamic sources. Angels in Islam do not possess free will and exist only to adore Allah and do His bidding.
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