The Greatest Angels: Jibril, Mikail, Israfil

Among the vast host of angels, the Islamic tradition names several by name and describes their specific roles and characteristics. The three most prominent — Jibril, Mikail, and Israfil — represent respectively the dimensions of divine communication, divine provision, and divine transformation through the end of one world-age and the beginning of another.

Jibril (Gabriel) is described in the Quran with the titles Ruh al-Qudus (the Holy Spirit, i.e., Spirit of Holiness), Ruh al-Amin (the Trustworthy Spirit), and the one who descended with the Quran upon the Prophet's heart. He is the greatest of the named angels and the most prominent in Quranic narrative. His primary mission is the delivery of divine revelation to the prophets and messengers, making him the essential link between the divine knowledge and human prophetic guidance. The Quran describes him as 'one of great power, possessing high status with the Lord of the Throne, obeyed there and trustworthy.' He appeared to the Prophet Muhammad in his original form on two occasions, filling the entire horizon — an experience so overwhelming that the Prophet's companions could not comprehend it except through description.

Mikail (Michael) is named in the Quran in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:98) alongside Jibril. The tradition associates Mikail primarily with the management of natural phenomena — rain, vegetation, and provision for living creatures. He is described as overseeing the winds, clouds, and the distribution of sustenance across the earth. The believer who reflects on the regularity of rain, the greening of the earth after drought, or the provision of food and water that sustains all life is, in an Islamic understanding, contemplating the ongoing work of Mikail in administering the material sustenance of creation.

Israfil is not named in the Quran but is mentioned frequently in authentic hadith and is the angel entrusted with the Trumpet (As-Sur). It is he who will blow the Trumpet twice — once to cause the death of all living things at the termination of this world-age, and once to cause the resurrection of all the dead for the Day of Judgment. The Prophet is reported to have said: 'How can I be at ease when the holder of the trumpet has placed it to his lips, drawn in his breath, and is waiting for the command to blow?' This image conveys the constant nearness of the cosmic end and the role of Israfil as the agent of that transformation.

Al-Ashqar also covers other named angels: Israfil's companion, Mika'il; Azrail (the Angel of Death, referred to in the Quran as Malak al-Mawt); the carriers of the divine Throne; the guardian angels; and the scribes Kiraman Katibin who record human deeds. Together, these named angels provide a specific populated picture of the angelic world and its relationship to human life.