Was it mentioned in the Sunnah that the Angel of Death is named Azrael, and is he one angel or several angels?
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The questioner : This questioner says, O honorable Shaykh, was it mentioned in the Sunnah that the Angel of Death is named Azrael? And is he one angel or several angels?
The Shaykh : Yes. It is not authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that the Angel of Death is named Azrael. Rather, the Qur'an mentions the Angel of Death:[As-Sajdah 32:11]. But in another verse: [Al-An'am 6:61] What is it? It says, "Our messengers" in the plural. The scholars of knowledge said: The reconciliation between the two is that the Angel of Death has assistants who help him. As for the taking of the soul, that is for the Angel of Death alone. The important point is that he is not called Azrael. And it is not permissible for a person to say to another person, if he intends to curse him, "May Allah send Azrael upon you," because that is not his name. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Yes. It is not authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that the Angel of Death is named Azrael. Rather, the Qur'an mentions the Angel of Death:
Say, "The angel of death will take you who has been entrusted with you
قل يتوفاكم ملك الموت الذي وكل بكمuntil, when death comes to one of you
حتى إذا جاء أحدكم الموتOur messengers will take his soul
توفته رسلناThe questioner : May Allah reward you with good.