In Islam, angels (Mala’ikah) are among the most important creations of Allah. Though invisible to human eyes, their presence surrounds us at every moment — recording our deeds, protecting us, delivering revelations, and carrying out Allah’s commands.
Understanding who the angels are and what they do helps us strengthen our faith, build humility, and remember that Allah is always watching over His creation. Let’s explore who the angels are in Islam, their roles, and what Muslims should believe about them, insha’Allah.
The Nature of Angels
Angels are created by Allah from light (noor). They are not like humans or jinn — they have no physical desires, no pride, and no free will to disobey. Their only purpose is to worship Allah and carry out His orders perfectly.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“They do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.”
(Surah At-Tahrim 66:6)
This verse reminds us that angels are pure servants of Allah — free from sin, laziness, or arrogance. They never sleep, eat, or rest. They spend their entire existence glorifying Allah and fulfilling their duties in the universe.
Belief in Angels — A Pillar of Faith
Believing in angels is one of the six pillars of Iman (faith) in Islam. A true Muslim must believe that:
Angels are real creations of Allah.
They perform specific duties as assigned by Him.
They are countless in number.
Without believing in angels, a person’s faith is incomplete.
The Main Angels and Their Roles
Allah created countless angels — more than we can imagine — but the Qur’an and Hadith mention some by name and describe their special duties.
1. Jibreel (Gabriel) — The Messenger of Revelation
Jibreel (AS) is one of the greatest angels. He brought Allah’s revelation (wahy) to the prophets. He was the one who revealed the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over 23 years.
He also delivered messages to earlier prophets, such as Musa (AS) and Isa (AS). Because of his noble role, he is often called the Angel of Revelation.
2. Mika’il (Michael) — The Provider of Rain and Blessings
Mika’il (AS) is responsible for providing sustenance to creation — such as rain, vegetation, and food. Through him, Allah sends mercy and life to the earth.
He is mentioned alongside Jibreel (AS) in the Qur’an:
“Whoever is an enemy to Allah, His angels, His messengers, Jibreel, and Mika’il — then indeed, Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:98)
3. Israfil — The Blower of the Trumpet
Israfil (AS) will blow the Trumpet (Soor) at the command of Allah to announce the end of the world and the Day of Resurrection.
The first blow will destroy everything in the heavens and the earth; the second will bring the dead back to life for judgment. SubhanAllah — his duty reminds us of the reality of the Hereafter.
4. Malak al-Mawt — The Angel of Death
This angel’s task is to take the souls of people at the time Allah decrees. He does not act on his own; he only takes life by Allah’s command.
When the moment of death comes, he and his helpers gently remove the souls of the believers, while the souls of the disbelievers are taken with difficulty.
5. Munkar and Nakir — The Questioners in the Grave
After a person is buried, two angels — Munkar and Nakir — come to question the soul in the grave. They ask:
Who is your Lord?
What is your religion?
Who is your Prophet?
For the believer, Allah gives strength to answer easily. For others, the questioning becomes a trial. This reminds us to live righteously and remember our ultimate return to Allah.
6. Kiraman Katibeen — The Recording Angels
These two angels are always with every person.
The one on the right records all good deeds.
The one on the left records all bad deeds.
Allah says:
“For each (person) there are angels in succession, before and behind him, who protect him by the command of Allah.”
(Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:11)
This helps us stay mindful of our actions — knowing that nothing escapes Allah’s record.
7. The Guardian Angels
Some angels protect believers by Allah’s will. They watch over us, especially when we travel, sleep, or are in danger. Their presence is one of Allah’s many blessings upon His servants.
The Countless Angels of Worship
Beyond those with specific duties, there are countless angels who only worship Allah. They fill the heavens, praying, bowing, and glorifying Him day and night.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The sky creaked, and it has every right to creak — there is no space of four fingers in the sky except that an angel is standing, bowing, or prostrating to Allah.” (Tirmidhi)
This shows how vast and devoted the angels are in worship — reminding us of Allah’s greatness and the beauty of submission.
Lessons We Learn from the Angels
Obedience – Angels never disobey Allah; they inspire us to submit fully to His commands.
Humility – Despite their power, they remain humble servants.
Awareness – Knowing angels record our deeds helps us stay mindful of our actions.
Hope and Comfort – Angels pray for believers and protect them by Allah’s will.
Learn More About the Unseen World 🌙
Understanding the angels increases our love for Allah and strengthens our faith in the unseen. If you’d like to study more about angels, jinn, and other unseen creations, or learn Qur’an and Islamic studies in a clear, guided way — explore Online Islamic Institute.
They offer premium Islamic courses for all ages — from beginners to advanced learners — making knowledge of Islam simple and inspiring, insha’Allah. 🌸
👉 Visit: onlineislamicinstitute.org
May Allah make us among those whom the angels surround with mercy and pray for.
JazakAllahu khairan for reading, and Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh! 🤍