THE JINN
In Islam, Satan is known to be a Jinn, not a fallen angel. According to Islamic teachings, Jinn are a separate creation than angels, created from smokeless fire, while angels are created from light. Angels are regarded as beings of pure spiritual nature who follow God’s commands without any capacity for disobedience. On the other hand, Jinn possess free will and can choose to obey or disobey God.
In the Islamic faith, Satan, also known as Iblis, was a Jinn who was elevated to the ranks of the angels due to his (appearance of) piety and worship. However, when God created Adam, He commanded all the angels, including Iblis, to prostrate before Adam. While the angels obeyed, Iblis refused, out of pride and arrogance, considering himself superior to Adam. As a result, he was cast out of the ranks of the angels and became Satan (i.e. Shaytaan), the adversary of humanity.
In various religious traditions, the Satan (or Shaytaan) is known by different names such as the Devil, Lucifer, Azayzel, Beelzebub, or Mephistopheles. These names have their origins in different cultural and religious contexts. “Satan” comes from Hebrew and is mentioned in the Bible, representing a figure of evil and temptation. “Lucifer” is derived from Latin and is associated with the fallen angel mentioned in Christian and Jewish texts.
[It’s worth noting that although Satan is a Jinn, not all Jinn are evil or associated with Satan. Jinn, like humans, have the capacity for good and evil actions. They inhabit a parallel realm to humans and can interact with the physical world in various ways. Islamic teachings emphasize the importance of seeking protection from the influence of evil Jinn and Satan through faith, worship, and adherence to Allah’s guidance.]
ANGELS
In Islam, angels are celestial beings created by Allah (God) from light. They are incorporeal and possess no free will, carrying out the commands of Allah without question. They serve as messengers, protectors, and recorders of human deeds. Among the prominent angels in Islam are Jibril (Gabriel), who revealed the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad, Mikail (Michael), who is responsible for the distribution of sustenance, and Israfil, who will blow the trumpet to signal the Day of Judgment. Let’s learn some more in-depth facts about a few of these angels.
JIBRAEL
The archangel Gabriel, known as Jibrael in Arabic, is one of the most significant celestial beings. Jibrael had the crucial role in delivering Allah’s revelations to the prophets and messengers.
Jibreel is described as a magnificent and powerful angel with vast wings that fill the horizons. He is believed to be created from light and is capable of assuming different forms when appearing to the prophets. His primary responsibility was to transmit divine messages from Allah to the chosen messengers. He was entrusted with the task of conveying the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) over a period of approximately 23 years.
It was Jibrael who first appeared to Muhammad in the cave (Hira) near Mecca, revealing the first verses of the Qur’an and initiating Muhammad’s prophethood. He continued to bring revelations to Muhammad (PBUH) throughout his life, and these revelations form the basis of the Islamic scripture, the Qur’an.
Jibrael is also associated with other significant events in Islamic tradition. He played a role in the annunciation of the birth of Prophet Jesus (Isa) to Maryam (Mary) and is believed to have been involved in various historical moments, including the destruction of past civilizations such as sodom and Gomorrah.
MIKA’IL
The archangel Mika’il (also spelled Mikaeel or Mikail) is considered to be one of the prominent angels in the Islamic faith. He is primarily associated with the task of providing sustenance and blessings from Allah (God) to the creatures of the Earth. Mika’il is responsible for overseeing natural phenomena such as rainfall, vegetation, and the distribution of sustenance to all living beings.
Mika’il is talked about in the Quran, although his name is not explicitly mentioned. However, his role and functions are described in various Hadiths [sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH)] and Islamic literature.
ISRAFIL
In Islam, the archangel associated with healing and medicine is known as Raphael or Israfil. More importantly, Israfil is tasked with the responsibility of blowing the trumpet or horn on the Day of Judgment. According to Islamic teachings, he has been assigned the task of announcing the end of the world by blowing the trumpet for the second time, signaling the resurrection of the dead and the beginning of the Day of Judgment. This role is considered significant in Islamic eschatology, as it marks a major event in the culmination of human history and the final judgment of all souls.
AZRAEL
The angel Azrael is known as the Angel of Death. It is sometimes taught that Azrael is one of the four archangels in Islam, along with Jibril (Gabriel), Mikail (Michael), and Israfil (Raphael).
Azrael is tasked with the important duty of separating the soul from the body at the moment of death. It is said that he approaches the dying person gently and compassionately, while respecting the person’s faith and religious beliefs. He is believed to have extensive knowledge about the lives and destinies of all human beings and is responsible for recording this information for Allah.
All-in-all, Azrael is often depicted as a solemn and compassionate figure, with a serene presence.
NAKIR & MUNKAR
The angels of the grave are known as Nakir and Munkar. These angels are believed to visit a person’s grave after they are buried and question them about their faith and deeds in preparation for the afterlife.
When a person dies, their soul is separated from their body and enters an intermediate state called the Barzakh. In this realm, the deceased person experiences a different form of existence until the Day of Judgment. As part of this process, Nakir and Munkar are sent by Allah to question them.
Nakir and Munkar are described as fearsome and intimidating angels. They have dark complexions, blue eyes, and their bodies are covered in hair. They carry with them hammers and ask a series of questions to test the person’s faith and understanding.
If the person answers correctly and demonstrates strong faith, they are rewarded with a comfortable and pleasant experience in the grave. However, if the person fails to answer satisfactorily or displays disbelief, they may be subjected to punishment and discomfort in the grave.
MALIK
The Angel Malik is known as the guardian of Hell and the keeper of its gates. He is mentioned in the Quran and various Islamic traditions.
According to Islamic teachings, Malik is responsible for maintaining the torment and punishment of the inhabitants of Hell. He is described as a fearsome and stern angel who never shows mercy to the denizens of Hell. Malik’s role is to ensure that those who are deserving of punishment receive their due in Hellfire.
The Quran mentions Malik in Surah Az-Zukhruf (43:77), where it states, “Await they just for the final fulfillment of the event? On the day the event is finally fulfilled, those who neglected it before will say: ‘The messengers of our Lord did indeed bring truth. Have we no intercessors now to intercede on our behalf? Or could we be sent back? Then would we behave differently from our behaviour in the past.’ In fact, they will have lost their souls, and the things they invented will leave them in the lurch. Your Guardian-Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and is firmly established on the throne (of authority). He draweth the night as a veil o’er the day, each seeking the other in rapid succession: He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws under His command. Is it not His to create and to govern? Blessed be Allah, the cherisher and sustainer of the worlds!”
RIDWAN
The guardian or gatekeeper of Paradise is known as the Angel Ridwan. Ridwan is known as the angel who will ensuring that only those who are deserving of Paradise enter. According to Islamic teachings, Ridwan is mentioned in the Quran, specifically in Surah Al-Waqi’ah (Chapter 56), where it is mentioned that the righteous will be welcomed into Paradise by the keepers of the gates.
The story of the Prophet Muhammad’s Night Journey and meeting with the gatekeeper of Paradise is an important event in Islamic tradition. According to Islamic teachings, the Night Journey (Isra) refers to a miraculous journey that the Prophet Muhammad took during a single night from the Kaaba in Mecca to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and then ascended towards the heavens.
At the entrance of Paradise, he met the gatekeeper of Paradise, Ridwan. According to Sahih Hadiths, Ridwan welcomed the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and expressed joy at his arrival. The gatekeeper of Paradise affirmed the Prophet’s status as the chosen messenger of Allah and granted him permission to proceed further into the realms of paradise.
It’s important to note that the details and descriptions of the Night Journey and the encounters during it may vary in different Islamic traditions and sources. The event holds great significance for Muslims, symbolizing the Prophet Muhammad’s spiritual journey and his exoteric and/or esoteric proximity to Allah.