Angels (Malaikah)

Question 1

What is the role of Jibril?

Answer 1

• Brought God’s message to Muhammad + other prophets
• Six hundred wings, covered sky from the Earth to horizon

Question 2

Examples of the angels

Answer 2

• Jibril
• Izra’il
• Mika’il
• Israfil
• Honourable scribes / Recording angels

Question 3

What is the role of Izra’il?

Answer 3

• Angel of death
• Responsible for taking everyone’s final breath
• Separates human soul from body at time appointed for death by Allah
• Brings sense of dread to non-believers (punishment for unbelief)
• For believers, Izra’il is pleasant and takes them to Paradise with Allah

Question 4

What is the role of Mika’il?

Answer 4

• Guardian of Heaven
• Rain, thunder, lightning to Earth at God’s command

Question 5

What is the role of Israfil?

Answer 5

• Angel of the Last Judgement
• Blows trumpet to announce Day of Resurrection
• First blast destroys all, second blast will bring back all humans who have died

Question 6

What are the roles of the recording angels / Honourable scribes?

Answer 6

• Each person is assigned two recording angels
• Responsible for recording both good and bad human deeds
• The intention (niyyah) behind a good deed is recorded according to Muhammad (regardless of consequence)
• Actually performing deed is 10 or more good deeds
• Thinking bad deeds but refraining counts as a good deed
• If bad and carries through, counts as single evil deed

Question 7

Quote about the recording angels

Answer 7

“One sitting on the right and one on the left. Not a word does he utter but there is a watcher by him ready to record”
[Surah 50:17-18]

Question 8

Qur’an quotes about Angels

Answer 8

• “None knows the soldiers of your Lord except Him.”
• “We have not made their number except as a trial for those who disbelieve”
• “Allah lead astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills”
  [Surah 74:31]
• “They do not precede Him in speech and only according to His commandment do they act” [Surah 21:73]