Angels (Mala'ikah) in Islam

Nature of Angels

Angels (ملائكة) are created from light (nur) and are among the unseen creations of Allah. They do not eat, drink, sleep, or have gender. They do not disobey Allah and carry out His commands precisely (Quran 66:6). Belief in the angels is the second pillar of iman.

Notable Angels

Jibril (Gabriel): The angel of revelation who brought the Quran to Prophet Muhammad. He is the greatest of the angels. Mika'il (Michael): Responsible for provisions and rain. Israfil: Will blow the trumpet (Sur) on the Day of Judgment. Izra'il (Malak al-Mawt): The Angel of Death who takes souls at their appointed time. Munkar and Nakir: The two angels who question the dead in the grave. Raqib and Atid: The recording angels who document every deed of every person. Malik: The guardian of Hellfire. Ridwan: The guardian of Paradise.

Characteristics

Angels can take human form by Allah's permission, as Jibril appeared in the form of a man to Maryam (Quran 19:17) and to the Prophet in the famous Hadith of Jibril (Sahih Muslim 8). They are vast in number; the Prophet mentioned that 70,000 angels pray in al-Bayt al-Ma'mur (the Frequented House in heaven) daily and never return (Sahih al-Bukhari 3207).