Thread by @aaolomi

Belief in angels is a major article of faith in Islam. Messengers and servants of God, one such angel is the Angel of Death. Though referenced directly in the Qur’an, much of the lore comes from later Muslim writings

A thread on the Angel of Death-

While referenced in the Qur’an directly, he is not named. Muslims know him as Azra’il and in eschatological works he is treated as a power second only to God himself.

He’s described as having four wings and countless eyes.

He is so vast that the whole of the world is said to be a like a coin or bowl in his hands.

The world rests between his feet.

So mighty is he that when God first created him, He covered him in thousands of veils. Then he created and gathered the other angels and told them to look upon the figure.

God cast off the veils and the angels beheld Azrai’l. They promptly collapsed

Minor traditions even claim he carries a spear with poisonous attributes.

Another tradition says he has four faces, each responsible for taking the souls of prophets, humans, jinn, and beasts.

He is said to reside in either the 2nd, 4th, or 7th heaven and is one of the angels Muhammad meets on his Night Journey.

In one description, he sits under a mighty tree with a great Book or Tablet in his hands upon which everyone’s name is written.

All his eyes are affixed to the tree though with the names of all mortals.

Forty days before a person’s allotted time their leaf will fall signaling the Angel of Death. He then turns his eyes upon the Book as ink from the Throne of God drops on to it.

If the ink is black or green then the person is a wretch, if it is white, they are righteous.

This determines which of his helper angels he sends, those who take souls gently or by force.

These are the Nazi'at and Nashitat

Another tradition says he receives the names of all who are to die yearly on the month of Sha’ban.

40 days is an important marker in Islamic cosmology. The 40 days after a baby is born is considered particularly important as Azra'il hovers near.

Many local customs and practices involve traditions of warding and protecting the baby with celebrations on the 40th day.

All mortals are born in the shadow of death. When God wished to create Adam, he sent out the angels to collect the dirt of the earth.

Azrai’l brought back dirt, some say the dirt of the grave and so all humans are born with the seeds of the grave already within them.

They can travel all the world, but will always return to the true womb, the earth.

Daily the grave is said to call to us all, “what preparations have you made” until finally Azra'il comes.

In the early times, he used to appear before humanity visibly and take souls gently. But humanity was arrogant and so God placed disease between Death and humanity as a veil to conceal Death.

In another interesting tale, it is said when Death appeared before Moses, the prophet slapped him and refused to die

And so now Azrai'l comes like a shadow in the night.

It is said that Azrai’l himself only comes for the prophets while his helpers tend to humans, jinn, and beast.

He even came to collect the Prophet Muhammad, asking permission first. A reminder that all humans are mortal no matter their station.

Despite his fearsome reputation, Azrai’l is a blessing and mercy in Islam. To the wicked he may appear terrifying, but the righteous welcome the relief he brings.

He takes their souls with a “salaam” and therefore greets them with “peace”

He takes the soul from the mouth and eyes, bringing ease to the pangs of life and suffering.

The inevitably of death is described in two famous stories:

One day Azra’il was visiting the court of King Solomon where he saw a youth. He stared hard at the youth, causing the young man to quiver in terror.

The youth rushed to King Solomon and begged, Majesty quick summon the winds to transport me far to India, for death has given me a strange look.

Solomon did as requested.

A few minutes later he called Azrai’l over. Oh Angel of Death why did you stare at my servant so.

Azra’il replied, I was surprised to see him for I’m suppose to take his soul in India shortly and yet here he was!

In another tale, a wise man used his knowledge to invoke the Angel of the Sun. He asked the angel for a boon, to tell him when he will die. The Angel of the Sun said he knows not, but can ask the Angel of Death.

So the Angel of the Sun raised the sage up and seated him on his throne on the Sun and then went to visit the Angel of Death.

He asked Azrai’l when the man was to die. Azrai’l gazed into his book and said, “not until he sits upon the throne of the Sun.”

The solar angel blanched, "but I just sat him on my throne."

Azra'il responded, "then the time is now. "

Azra'il also appears in mystical and astrological works as the Angel of Saturn and as guardian of two of God's Names.

Much of the lore about Azra'il is drawn from the broader traditions of Late Antiquity, situating Islam within a particular historical and cultural milieu.

In particular Jewish and Biblical tales from Qisas and Isra'iliyyat become important sources.

I will expand on the other angels in Islam in future threads