A Summary of the Concepts of Ahl al-Sunnah
Names and Functions of Certain Angels
Detailed Belief in the Angels
Believing in the names and functions of angels as mentioned in the Qur'an and Sunnah
Among these, first: Gabriel (Jibril), peace be upon him.
He is the greatest and most virtuous of the angels.
He is tasked with bringing down the revelation,
and he is titled "the Trustworthy Spirit" (al-Rūḥ al-Amīn),
as Allah the Exalted said:
“Which the True Spirit hath brought down” (26:193)
“Upon thy heart, that thou mayst be (one) of the warners,” (26:194)
The name of Gabriel also appears in the words of Allah the Exalted:
“Who is an enemy to Allah, and His angels and His messengers, and Gabriel and Michael! Then, lo! Allah (Himself) is an enemy to the disbelievers.” (2:98)
Second:
The angel tasked with blowing the Trumpet at the arrival of the Hour, Israfil;
and Michael (Mika'il), who is tasked with rain and vegetation.
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, mentioned them together along with Gabriel
in the opening supplication of the night prayer,
where he said:
"O Allah, Lord of Gabriel, Israfil, and Michael,
Creator of the heavens and the earth..."
—to the end of the hadith.
Narrated by Muslim.
The Holy Qur'an mentions Michael using the form "Mikal,"
as seen in the aforementioned verse.
Third:
Malik, the keeper of Hellfire.
Allah the Exalted said:
"And they will cry out, 'O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us!'"
His assistants are described as the keepers of Hellfire.
Allah the Exalted said:
“And those in the Fire say unto the guards of hell: Entreat your Lord that He relieve us of a day of the torment.” (40:49)
“And those in the Fire say unto the guards of hell: Entreat your Lord that He relieve us of a day of the torment.” (40:49)
Fourth:
The Angel of Death.
He is commonly known among people by the name Azrael,
but this comes from Israelite traditions (Isra'iliyyat)
and is not established in the Qur'an or the Sunnah under this name.
Rather, he is referred to simply as the Angel of Death.
Allah the Exalted said:
“Say: The angel of death, who hath charge concerning you, will gather you, and afterward unto your Lord ye will be returned.” (32:11)
Fifth:
Munkar and Nakir.
They are the two angels tasked with questioning the servant in his grave regarding his Lord, his religion, and his Prophet.
Sixth:
The Bearers of the Throne.
They are eight in number.
Allah the Exalted said:
"And the angels will be on its edges..."
“And the angels will be on the sides thereof, and eight will uphold the Throne of thy Lord that day, above them.” (69:17)
Seventh:
The Noble Scribes.
Every servant has two angels who record and count his deeds against him:
one on his right and the other on his left.
Allah the Exalted said:
“When the two Receivers receive (him), seated on the right hand and on the left,” (50:17)
“He uttereth no word but there is with him an observer ready.” (50:18)
And Allah the Exalted said:
"And indeed, appointed over you are keepers,
noble scribes,
who know whatever you do."
Eighth:
Guardian angels who protect a person from harm in the life of this world.
Allah the Exalted said:
“For him are angels ranged before him and behind him, who guard him by Allah's command. Lo! Allah changeth not the condition of a folk until they (first) change that which is in their hearts; and if Allah willeth misfortune for a folk there is none that can repel it, nor have they a defender beside Him.” (13:11)
Ninth:
Among the angels as well are:
the angel tasked with the mountains;
the angel tasked with the drop of fluid in the wombs;
angels who fight alongside the believers and strengthen them by Allah's command;
the visitors of the Frequented House (al-Bayt al-Ma'mūr);
and traveling angels who attend gatherings of remembrance (dhikr);
and so forth.
A Summary of the Concepts of Ahl al-Sunnah