List five prominent Angels of Allah and explain their functions.

Answer Details

Belief in the angels of Allah is the second article of Islamic faith. Angels are created from light and carry out the commands of Allah. Five prominent angels and their functions are as follows.

1. Jibril (Gabriel): The angel of revelation. He conveyed the Qur'an and other divine messages from Allah to the prophets, including Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.).
2. Mika'il (Michael): Responsible for provision (rizq). He is charged with the rain, the wind and the sustenance of Allah's creatures.
3. Israfil: The angel appointed to blow the Trumpet (Sur). Its first blast will bring about the end of the world, and the second will raise the dead for the Day of Judgement.
4. 'Izra'il (the Angel of Death, Malak al-Mawt): Charged with taking the souls of living beings when their appointed time comes.
5. Munkar and Nakir: The two angels who question the dead in the grave about their Lord, their religion and their prophet.

Other well-known angels include Ridwan, keeper of Paradise; Malik, keeper of the Hellfire; and the Kiraman Katibin, the noble scribes who record the deeds of every person. Belief in the angels strengthens the Muslim's consciousness that his deeds are witnessed and recorded.