In Islam, angels play a significant role as celestial beings created by Allah (God) with the purpose of carrying out various tasks and fulfilling divine commands. They are believed to be made of light and are unseen to humans unless granted permission by Allah. Angels are considered to be free from sin, possess great knowledge, and are devoted servants of Allah.
Ordinary angels, also known as “Malaikah” in Arabic, are responsible for carrying out specific tasks in the natural world. They are known to have different roles and responsibilities. Many of the well-known angels in Islam are archangels.
- Jibril (Gabriel): Jibril is considered the archangel of revelation and is responsible for delivering Allah’s messages to prophets, including the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. He is also associated with the spreading of knowledge and is believed to have a total of 600 wings.
- Mika’il (Michael): Mika’il is regarded as the angel of mercy and is associated with overseeing the distribution of provisions and sustenance from Allah. He is also believed to provide nourishment for souls and help with the growth of plants and crops on Earth.
- Israfil: Israfil is believed to be the angel responsible for blowing the trumpet on the Day of Judgment, signaling the end of the world and the resurrection of the dead. It is said that Israfil has been holding the trumpet to his lips, waiting for Allah’s command to blow it.
- Azrael: Azrael is known as the angel of death and is responsible for taking the souls of individuals at the time of their death. He is believed to be compassionate and gentle, alleviating any pain or distress during the transition from earthly life to the afterlife.
Archangels, also known as “Malaikat al-Muqarrabin,” are considered to be higher-ranking angels with greater responsibilities and powers. They are entrusted with significant tasks and are closer to Allah. While there is no specific list of archangels mentioned in the Quran, Islamic tradition identifies a few archangels based on various narrations and interpretations. Some traditions mention archangels such as Jibril, Mika’il, Israfil, and Azrael as archangels, while others mention additional archangels like Malik (the guardian of Hell) and Ridwan (the guardian of Paradise).
The main difference between ordinary angels and archangels lies in their rank, responsibilities, and the magnitude of their tasks. Archangels are believed to have higher authority and play pivotal roles in major events, such as delivering divine messages, overseeing the Day of Judgment, and guarding the realms of Paradise and Hell. Ordinary angels, on the other hand, carry out specific duties in the natural world, such as recording human deeds, protecting individuals, and worshiping Allah.
It’s important to note that Islamic teachings regarding angels are primarily based on the Quran, hadiths (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), and various Islamic scholars’ interpretations. Different schools of thought within Islam may have slightly different perspectives on the details and classifications of angels, including ordinary angels and archangels.