Mikail (Michael)

Mikail (Michael) is one of the four archangels in Islamic tradition and the only angel other than Jibril explicitly named in the Quran. He is mentioned in Surah al-Baqarah (2:98): 'Whoever is an enemy to Allah, His angels, His messengers, Jibril, and Mikail — then indeed Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers.' This verse was revealed in response to Jewish claims that Jibril was their enemy because he brought revelations that contradicted their desires. Allah declared that enmity to any of His angels — including Mikail — is enmity to Allah. In Islamic tradition, Mikail is associated with rain, provision, and the sustenance of the world. He is responsible for distributing the rain that causes crops to grow and sustains all living things, by Allah's permission. He is also described as weeping constantly out of awe and fear of Allah. Classical scholars including Ibn Kathir note that Mikail was present at significant events in prophetic history. He is one of the angels who participated in the cleansing of the Prophet's chest (shaqq al-sadr) before the Night Journey. The Quran and Sunnah establish that belief in the angels — including Mikail by name — is one of the pillars of Islamic faith (iman bil-mala'ikah). He will be present at the Day of Judgment alongside the other great angels.