11.2 Angels in Islam
In Islamic theology, angels are one of the primary types of created beings that exist within the unseen realm.
In Judaism and Christianity, angels can disobey God. In Islam, they cannot.
The Qur’an explicitly describes angels as beings who: “do not disobey God in what He commands them, but do what they are commanded.” (Qur’an 66:6)
Because of this, angels are understood as perfect servants of God who carry out divine commands.
Several angels are especially prominent in Islamic teaching:
- Jibril (Gabriel): The angel responsible for delivering divine revelation to the prophets. According to Islamic belief, Jibril brought the message of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad.
- Mikail (Michael): Often associated with provision, rain, and the natural order of the world.
- Israfil: The angel who will blow the trumpet signaling the end of the world and the beginning of the Day of Judgment.
- Malak al-Mawt (Angel of Death): Though commonly called “Azrael” in later tradition, the Qur’an refers to him by his title. He is responsible for separating the soul from the body at the decreed time of death.
Angels are also assigned to monitor human actions. These include recording angels, guardian angels, and angels who are present during major life events.
Recording Angels
In Islamic belief, two angels accompany every person and record their speech and actions.
One is positioned on the right and records good deeds, while the other is positioned on the left and records bad deeds.
The Qur’an references this idea in several passages, including Qur’an 50:17–18, which describes two recorders seated on the right and left who write down what a person says and does.
Islamic tradition refers to them as Kiraman Katibin, meaning “Noble Recorders.”
These records are believed to become part of the Book of Deeds that will be presented on the Day of Judgment.
Guardian Angels
Some Islamic traditions also describe angels that protect individuals from harm, except when harm is part of God’s decree.
This idea is connected to Qur’an 13:11, which describes angels who guard a person by God’s command.
These angels are often described as protecting people from dangers they cannot see.
However, Islamic scholars emphasize that their protection only operates within God’s will.
Angels Present During Major Life Events
Certain angels are associated with important moments in human life.
For example, a famous hadith describes an angel being sent to the fetus in the womb to record four things: lifespan, provision, deeds, and whether the person will be blessed or miserable.
In Islamic theology, belief in angels is not optional. It is one of the Six Articles of Faith, which form the basic foundations of Islamic belief.
Next, in section 11.3, we will examine the second category of unseen beings in Islamic theology: jinn.