Angels in Islam: names, roles and sources
Belief in angels is one of the six articles of faith. Angels are created from light, obey Allah without fail, and carry out duties such as bringing revelation, recording deeds and taking souls. Here are the angels named in the Quran and authentic hadith, their roles and their sources.
Last updated: 4 October 2026
Angels named in the Quran and Sunnah
| Angel | Role | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Jibril (Gabriel) | Brings revelation to the prophets; brought the Quran to the Prophet ﷺ | Al-Baqarah 2:97; Ash-Shu‘ara 26:193 |
| Mika’il (Michael) | Entrusted with rain and provision | Al-Baqarah 2:98 |
| Israfil | Will blow the Trumpet at the end of the world | Named in hadith (Sahih Muslim 770); the Trumpet in Az-Zumar 39:68 |
| The Angel of Death | Takes the souls at death; often called ‘Izra’il, a name not found in the Quran or authentic hadith | As-Sajdah 32:11 |
| Munkar and Nakir | Question each person in the grave | Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 1071 (graded hasan) |
| Kiraman Katibin | The noble scribes who record every deed | Al-Infitar 82:10–12; Qaf 50:17–18 |
| Malik | The keeper of Hell | Az-Zukhruf 43:77 |
| Harut and Marut | Two angels sent to Babylon as a test | Al-Baqarah 2:102 |
What Muslims believe about angels
- They are created beings, not daughters of Allah or objects of worship (Az-Zukhruf 43:19).
- They have wings: “two, three or four” (Fatir 35:1); Jibril has six hundred (Sahih al-Bukhari 3232).
- They do not eat or drink, and they never tire of glorifying Allah (Al-Anbiya 21:20).
- Their number is known only to Allah: seventy thousand enter the Bayt al-Ma‘mur every day and never return (Sahih al-Bukhari 3207).
Jibril’s role is central to the Quran: he brought the first verses in the Cave of Hira; see the first revelation of the Quran. Belief in angels is the second of the six articles of faith.
Frequently asked questions
What are angels made of?
Light: “The angels were created from light, the jinn from smokeless fire, and Adam from what has been described to you” (Sahih Muslim 2996).
Do angels have free will?
Angels obey Allah completely: “They do not disobey Allah in what He commands them, and they do what they are commanded” (At-Tahrim 66:6).
Is Iblis an angel?
No. The Quran says Iblis “was of the jinn” (Al-Kahf 18:50). He was among the angels when Allah commanded them to prostrate to Adam, but he was created from fire.
Do we each have guardian angels?
Yes. “For each one are successive angels before and behind him who protect him by the command of Allah” (Ar-Ra‘d 13:11), as well as the two angels who record deeds.
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