The names of Jibril and Israfil have been mentioned, but has the name of the Angel of Death, Azrael, been mentioned, and is this correct?
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The questioner : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
May the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : The names of the angels, such as Jibril, Israfil, and the Angel of Death, have been mentioned. It has been said that the name of the Angel of Death is Azrael; is this correct or not?
The Shaykh : The names of some of the angels (peace be upon them) have been mentioned, such as Jibril, who is in charge of revelation, Israfil, who is in charge of blowing the Trumpet, and Mikail, who is in charge of rain and vegetation, meaning the rains and the growth of the earth. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to mention these three in the opening supplication of the night prayer, saying when he began the night prayer:Mishkat al-Masabih 1212.
He used to seek nearness to Allah through these three because each of them is in charge of something that involves life. Jibril is in charge of what gives life to the hearts, Mikail is in charge of what gives life to the earth, and Israfil is in charge of what gives life to the bodies when he blows the Trumpet, for he is the one in charge of blowing the Trumpet.
As for the Angel of Death, it is not correct to name him Azrael; rather, he is referred to as the Angel of Death, as Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said:[As-Sajdah 32:11]. It has not been authentically established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) that his name is Azrael.
As for Malik, the keeper of the Fire, it has come in the Qur'an:[Az-Zukhruf 43:77].
May the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : The names of the angels, such as Jibril, Israfil, and the Angel of Death, have been mentioned. It has been said that the name of the Angel of Death is Azrael; is this correct or not?
The Shaykh : The names of some of the angels (peace be upon them) have been mentioned, such as Jibril, who is in charge of revelation, Israfil, who is in charge of blowing the Trumpet, and Mikail, who is in charge of rain and vegetation, meaning the rains and the growth of the earth. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to mention these three in the opening supplication of the night prayer, saying when he began the night prayer:
O God, the Lord of Gabriel, Michael and Israfil, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, who knowest the unseen and the seen, Thou decidest among Thy servants concerning their differences. Guide me on account of different opinions regarding the truth by Thy permission; verily Thou guidest whom Thou wilt to a straight path.
اللهم رب جبرائيل وميكائيل وإسرافيل، فاطر السماوات والأرض، عالم الغيب والشهادة أنت تحكم بين عبادك فيما كانوا فيه يختلفون، اهدني لما اختلف فيه من الحق بإذنك، إنك تهدي من تشاء إلى صراط مستقيمHe used to seek nearness to Allah through these three because each of them is in charge of something that involves life. Jibril is in charge of what gives life to the hearts, Mikail is in charge of what gives life to the earth, and Israfil is in charge of what gives life to the bodies when he blows the Trumpet, for he is the one in charge of blowing the Trumpet.
As for the Angel of Death, it is not correct to name him Azrael; rather, he is referred to as the Angel of Death, as Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said:
Say, "The angel of death will take you who has been entrusted with you
قُلْ يَتَوَفَّاكُمْ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ الَّذِي وُكِّلَ بِكُمْAs for Malik, the keeper of the Fire, it has come in the Qur'an: