Who is Azrael in Islam?

Often misunderstood in the Western world, the figure of Azrael in Islam is a complex one often associated with the grim reaper. However, the Quran does not refer to a single angel of death, as might be the case in other religious texts. In fact, Azrael is just one of the angels who carry out a specific role in the life and afterlife of human beings.

Is there a single Angel of Death?

No, the Quran does not support the concept of a single angel of death. Instead, it is a group of angels that perform this function. These angels may sometimes be described as being rude and harsh towards the wicked and gentle towards the righteous.

The Origin of Azrael

According to Islamic tradition, Azrael, also known as Israil, is a commander of the fallen angels as mentioned in the Book of Enoch. He played a crucial role in the fall of the human race. However, it is important to note that this name is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran. The correct spelling is Israil, which is an Arabic name.

The ending of the name -il is a common suffix in Arabic indicating divinity, and it is not the same el found in Hebrew. Therefore, when referring to Azrael, one must be cautious to use the correct spelling and to understand its linguistic origins.

The Angels of Death

In Islamic mythology, there are four archangels that each have specific roles. These include:

Jibra'il (Gabriel) - the ambassador angel Mikha'il (Michael) - the protector angel Azra'il (Azrael) - the angel of death Israfīl (Israfel or Raphael) - the angel who blows the trumpet at the time of resurrection

These names are derived from the Jewish tradition, where the term EL refers to the chief god of the Canaanites and Pre-monotheistic Hebrews. As the god of gods, EL eventually became synonymous with the Supreme Deity as monotheism was adopted.

The Role of Azrael

The angel Azrael, also known as Israil, has a significant role in the life and afterlife of human beings. The Quran clearly states that the angel of death, referred to as Azra'il, has the task of separating the souls from the bodies, causing life in them to cease. Upon the death of a person, the departed souls are taken by other angels to a place where they shall remain until the Resurrection Day.

This process is not only described in the Quran but is also affirmed in Islamic tradition. Azrael's role is not limited to this; he is also involved in the resurrection process, blowing the trumpet that will gather all the dead and raise them from their graves on the Day of Judgement.