Believe in the angels of Allah is a basic article of the Muslim faith; it is mentioned in Iman-e-Mufassil.
“I have faith in Allah and His angles, and His books and His messengers, and the day of judgement and that all good and bad fate is from Almighty Allah and it is sure that there will be resurrection after death.” (Translation of Iman-e-Mufassil)
In Arabic, angels are called “malaika” which means “to help.” As per Islam, the angels were created out of the light before the creation of the human beings. Angels don’t commit sins and are naturally obedient to Allah. They always follow the orders of Allah (SWT) and worship Him alone. Angels don’t need sleep, drink and food and are genderless. They don’t posses free will and so, they can’t disobey.
“O you who have believed, defend yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He orders them but do what they are commanded.” (Quran 66:6).
Generally the angels have been created to obey Allah and worship Him alone.
“They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit.” (Al Anbiya 21:20)
Different angels perform distinct duties and functions. Some of the duties of the angels as per Islam are following;
Then angels of Muqarrabun are responsible for the glorification of Allah.
Hazrat Israfeel (AS) in charge of the duty of blowing the trumpet to show that the day of judgement has arrived and the time of resurrection has come.
Hazrat Meekaeel (AS) has the duty of bringing the rain and providing the sustenance to the people of Allah.
Hazrat Jibraeel (AS) has the duty of conveying the messages of Allah to His prophets.
Hazrat Izraeel (AS), the angel of death has been appointed to grasp the soul of humans from their body when the time of their departure from this world arrives. He is also known as “malk-ul-maut.”
The two angels of Kiraman Katibin (honourable recorders) have the duty of keeping our records. The two angels are sitting on our shoulders and the one sitting at right side notes down the good deeds and the second one sitting on the left side writes the bad deeds. On the day of judgement, they will be witnesses of human activities during the time of reckoning.
The other two angels namely, munkir and nakeer ask questions in the grave about the belief and deeds of the person who just died.
There are some angels who are assigned the duty to protect the people.
“For each person, there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the Command of Allah.” (Al Ra’d 13:11)
Rizwan is the angel who serves as the guardian of heaven.
Malik is, who has the duty to be the guardian of hell.
Thus, according to Islam, angels have different pattern of existence and have specified duties performed by them as ordered by Allah.
