How to reconcile Allah’s saying, the Exalted, << الله يتوفى الأنفس >> with His saying, the Exalted, << قل يتوفاكم ملك الموت الذي وكل بكم >>?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you. The author mentioned that the Angel of Death is one, and Allah, Mighty and Majestic, mentioned the plural in His saying, Mighty and Majestic:
The Shaykh : Yes, and Allah, Mighty and Majestic, mentioned that it is He who takes the souls of people. He said:[Az-Zumar 39:42]. So these are three verses, each indicating something. The reconciliation between them is:
As for attributing the taking of souls to Allah, it is attributing the command to its proper owner, because these angels who take the souls only take them by what? By Allah’s command. Just as you would say, “The king built the city,” when he did not build it himself, but ordered its construction.
Good.[Az-Zumar 39:42] By His command.
Allah attributed the taking of souls to the Angel of Death because he is the one who handles the taking of the soul. And He attributed it to the angels because they take the soul after the Angel of Death has taken it; he does not leave it in his hand for the blink of an eye, then he wraps it in the shroud he has with him. Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, and Allah, Mighty and Majestic, mentioned that it is He who takes the souls of people. He said:
Allah takes the souls at the time of their death
الله يتوفى الأنفس حين موتهاAs for attributing the taking of souls to Allah, it is attributing the command to its proper owner, because these angels who take the souls only take them by what? By Allah’s command. Just as you would say, “The king built the city,” when he did not build it himself, but ordered its construction.
Good.
Allah takes the souls
الله يتوفى الأنفسAllah attributed the taking of souls to the Angel of Death because he is the one who handles the taking of the soul. And He attributed it to the angels because they take the soul after the Angel of Death has taken it; he does not leave it in his hand for the blink of an eye, then he wraps it in the shroud he has with him. Yes.