Belief in the Angels

Angels (malaika) occupy a distinct place in Islamic belief — created from light, without free will, and entirely obedient to God's commands. Belief in their existence is one of the six pillars of faith, and the Quran and hadith describe several of them by name and role. Jibril (Gabriel) is described as the angel entrusted with delivering revelation to the prophets, including the Quran to Muhammad ﷺ. Mikail (Michael) is associated with provision, including rain and sustenance. Israfil is described as the angel who will blow the trumpet signaling the Day of Judgment. Malak al-Mawt, the Angel of Death, is tasked with taking the souls of the deceased. Tradition also describes two recording angels assigned to every person, one recording good deeds and one recording wrongdoing, and two angels — Munkar and Nakir — who question the deceased in the grave. Angels are described throughout Islamic sources as constantly engaged in worship, carrying out specific assigned tasks rather than acting on their own will, which is part of why they are held up as a model of complete obedience to God.