In a minute
Muslims believe God created angels from light, as servants who always obey Him. They are part of the unseen (al-ghayb): real, but beyond our senses. Angels carry God's revelation, record our deeds, protect us, take souls at death and worship God without tiring. They are not gods, not God's children, and not to be prayed to. Believing in them reminds a Muslim that the world is fuller than what we can see, and that we are never alone.
What it is and how it's lived
What angels are
- Made of light. The Prophet said angels were created from light, the jinn from smokeless fire, and Adam from what the Qur'an describes, clay (paraphrased; Sahih Muslim 2996).
- Always obedient. "who resist not Allah in that which He commandeth them, but do that which they are commanded" (66:6, Pickthall). Humans and jinn are given the choice to obey or not; the Qur'an describes the angels as those who do what they are bidden.
- Unseen, but sometimes taking form. Angels can appear in human form by God's leave, as Jibril did in the Hadith of Jibril and to Mary (Maryam).
- Countless. Only God knows their number.
Angels named in the Qur'an and hadith
| Angel | Role |
|---|---|
| Jibril (Gabriel) | brings revelation to the prophets; brought the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad (2:97); called "the Holy Spirit" (Ruh al-Qudus) |
| Mika'il (Michael) | entrusted with rain and provision (named in 2:98) |
| Israfil | will blow the trumpet at the end of time (named in hadith) |
| The Angel of Death (Malak al-Mawt; often called 'Azra'il in later tradition) | takes souls at death (32:11) |
| Kiraman Katibin, "the noble scribes" | two angels with each person, recording good and bad deeds (82:10–12; 50:17–18) |
| Munkar and Nakir | question each soul in the grave (paraphrased; Jami' al-Tirmidhi 1071) |
| Guardian angels (al-hafazah) | protect each person by God's command (13:11) |
| Malik | keeper of Hell (43:77) |
| Ridwan | keeper of Paradise, in tradition |
How it shapes daily life
- Many Muslims end each prayer by turning right and left with "peace be upon you". Some scholars explain the greeting as including the recording angels.
- Knowing that angels are present encourages good speech and good manners, even in private.
- Muslims believe angels gather where God is remembered, and pray for those who teach goodness.
- The Prophet said angels take turns with people by night and by day, and meet at the dawn and afternoon prayers (paraphrased; Sahih al-Bukhari 555).
Its inner meaning
Belief in angels is belief in the unseen: trusting that reality is larger than our senses. It brings comfort as well as accountability. Every good intention is written down, even one never carried out, and a single bad deed is written only once (paraphrased; Sahih al-Bukhari 6491, Sahih Muslim 131).
Key verses
"Praise be to Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, Who appointeth the angels messengers having wings two, three and four. He multiplieth in creation what He will." (Qur'an 35:1, Pickthall)
"They glorify (Him) night and day; they flag not." (Qur'an 21:20, Pickthall)
Arabic: يُسَبِّحُونَ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ لَا يَفْتُرُونَ
"Lo! there are above you guardians, Generous and recording, Who know (all) that ye do." (Qur'an 82:10–12, Pickthall)
"Say (O Muhammad, to mankind): Who is an enemy to Gabriel! For he it is who hath revealed (this Scripture) to thy heart by Allah's leave, confirming that which was (revealed) before it, and a guidance and glad tidings to believers;" (Qur'an 2:97, Pickthall)
Common misunderstandings, answered gently
- "Satan is a fallen angel." The Qur'an says of Iblis, "He was of the jinn, so he rebelled against his Lord's command" (18:50, Pickthall). Muslim commentators have answered the question of how this fits with the command to the angels to bow before Adam in two ways, and both are found in the classical books. Jinn are beings made from fire who, like humans, have free will; the Qur'an says of the angels that they "do what they are bidden" (16:50).
- "Angels are God's daughters." The Qur'an rejects this pre-Islamic Arabian idea; angels are honoured servants, neither male nor female in the human sense.
- "Muslims pray to angels." No. Prayer is to God alone. Angels are fellow servants of God.
- Pictures of angels. Islamic tradition does not depict angels as figures, so this site uses light and calligraphy instead.
Sunni and Shia
Shia Muslims share belief in angels. In their framework it sits within the roots of prophethood (angels bring revelation) and resurrection, rather than as a separately numbered article.
Reflection
If you knew every kind word you spoke today was being written down, which would you want on the page?
In the other traditions
- Judaism: The Hebrew Bible tells of angels (mal'akhim, "messengers") who visit Abraham, wrestle with Jacob and appear in Daniel, where Gabriel and Michael are named. A traditional Friday-night song, Shalom Aleichem, welcomes the ministering angels.
- Christianity: In the Gospel of Luke the angel Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus to Mary. Many Christians speak of guardian angels, and some churches keep the feast of St Michael and All Angels (Michaelmas, 29 September).
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