As to Islam, the last member of the Abrahamic religions, a hierarchical angelic order in additional to other celestial beings is developed as deputies of Allah.

Behold! the angels said: “O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Isa (Jesus), the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and he is of those nearest to Allah” (Quran, 3:45).

Angelology in Islam is an integral part of the Islamic credo; in fact the Islamic story of “Genesis” begins with angels (mala’ik in Arabic). Angels ask Allah why He wants to create man (Adam), a creature made from dust whereas angels are made up of light? Allah responds: I know something you do not know. Angels remind God that “they do not disobey Allah’s commands that they receive” (Quran, 66:6) while man will corrupt the earth and disobey you. Allah reveals that he wants to give a special gift to man, presumed to be free will, that is so noble no one can bear the responsibility but man.

Many of the angels in Islam are the same as those in Judaism and Christianity. First, there are the four archangels: Gabrield (Jibra’il), the angel of revelation; Raphael (Israfil) who will blow the trumpet twice in the day of judgment for all the dead to rise and be judged; Michael (Mikha’il) the archangel of mercy, and finally Azrael, the angel of death responsible for parting the soul from the body. While it is not clear what form or shape these angels have, and depicting them is forbidden in Islam, the Quran refers to them as having “two, three or four wings” (Quran, 35:1)

Next are the ordinary angels whose numbers are numerous. The legend has it that every day 70,000 angels visit the Kabah, a large cubic shape structure in the center of Mecca also known as “the house of God” and the place of pilgrimage for Muslims. All angels in Islam are good and perform a variety of tasks, even those such as Malik who is the warden of hell and has 19 deputies who guard Jahannam (hell) or Ridwan who is in charge of heaven.

Some are in charge of sustaining Allah’s throne (Quran, 40:7) while others such as Nakir and Munkir appear in the first night and question the dead about their faith in their Lord. Among other notable angels who are mentioned in the Quran are Kiraman Katibin (Venerable Scribes) who sit on your two shoulders and register all your good and bad deeds to be reported to God on the day of judgment.   »»» Macon.com

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