Who Are Angels In Islam?

Angels are invisible and cannot be seen by our eyes. Jibreel (Gabriel), Mikaeel, Israfil and Izra’il are the four arch-angels whose names are mentioned in the Quran.

The Quran also names some other angels, including Harut, Marut, Nakir and Munkar.

Here are some of the characteristics of angels according to the verses of the Quran:

1- They obey God and never commit sins:

“These servants do not speak before He speaks. They simply act according to His orders.” (Verse 27 of Surah Al-Anbiya)

2- They have important and vary diverse duties:

“The angels will stand on all its sides. And on that Day, eight (of them) will carry the Throne of your Lord above them.” (Verse 17 of Surah Al-Haqqa)

“…and by the angels who regulate the affairs.” (Verse 5 of Surah An-Nazi’at)

“Our Messengers (angels) come to take them away…” (Verse 37 of Surah Al-A’raf)

“… but you should know that there are angelic guards watching over you, and these honorable scribes know whatever you do. The virtuous ones will live in bliss.” (Verses 10-13 of Surah Al-Infitar)

“He sends guards to watch over you…” (Verse 61 of Surah Al-An’am)

Some of them are tasked with brining punishment (Verse 77 of Surah Hud). Some help the believers in battles (Verse 9 of Surah Al-Ahzab). And some bring divine books to God’s messengers (Verse 2 of Surah An-Nahl)

3- They ae always worshipping God: “… the angels exalt with the praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth.” (Verse 5 of Surah Ash-Shura)

4- They sometimes appear to prophets or others in the form of human beings:

“We sent to her Our Spirit (Gabriel) in the resemblance of a perfect human.” (Verse 17 of Surah Maryam)

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5- They have different positions and ranks: “(Gabriel said to the Prophet): ‘Each of us has a known place. We are surely those who are arranged in ranks. And we glorify God.’” (Verses 164-166)

In Verse 285 of Surah Al-Baqarah, God underlines the importance of belief in angels: “The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from His Lord, and so do the believers. Each believes in Allah and His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers.”