Who is the black angel of the world of death. Christian name for the angel of death

Archangel Azrael, the angel of transformation and angel of death in Islam, means "helper of God." Archangel Azrael (photo) helps living people navigate their lives. He helps dying people make the transition from the earthly dimension to heaven and calms people who are grieving the death of a loved one.

Symbols. In art, Archangel Azrael (icon) is often depicted with a sword or scythe, or with a hood, as these symbols represent his role as the angel of death, which resembles the grim reaper with a scythe.

Energy color. Pale yellow.

Influence on zodiac signs. Archangel Azrael and Kamael have a huge influence on the zodiac sign - Scorpio. Archangel Azrael and Kamael make Scorpios very strong, which allows people with this sign to achieve their life goals faster.

Archangel Azrael: the role of the angel of death in different religions

Role in religious texts. Islamic tradition states that Archangel Azrael is the angel of death, although the Qur'an mentions his role ("Malak al-Mawt", literally meaning "angel of death") rather than his name. The Qur'an describes that the angel of death does not know when the time has come for each person to die until God reveals this information to him, and at the command of God, the angel of death separates the soul from the body and returns it to God.

Archangel Azrael also serves as the angel of death in Sikhism. In the Sikh scriptures authored by Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, God (Wahe Guru) sends Azrael only to people who are unfaithful and unrepentant for their sins. Azraela appears on Earth in human form and strikes sinners with her scythe to kill them and pull their souls out of their bodies. He then takes the souls to hell and ensures that they receive the punishment that Wahe Guru will release after the trial.

However, the Zohar (the holy book of the branch of Judaism called Kabbalah) presents a more pleasant portrayal of Azrael. The Zohar says that the angel of death Ezrael receives the prayers of faithful people when they reach heaven and also commands legions of heavenly angels.

Other religious roles. Ezrael is not mentioned as the angel of death in any Christian religious texts. Additionally, ancient Asian traditions sometimes describe Azrael holding the apple of the "Tree of Life" before a dying person in order to separate that person's soul from the body.

Some Jewish mystics consider Azrael to be a fallen angel (demon) who is the embodiment of evil. Islamic texts describe Azrael as being completely covered in eyes and tongues, and the number of eyes and tongues is constantly changing to reflect the number of people who are currently alive on Earth. According to Islamic tradition, Azrael keeps track of the number by calling people's names in the heavenly book when they are born and erasing their names when they die. He is considered the patron angel of clergy and grief counselors who help people make peace with God before death and minister to grieving people who are dying.

In the Abrahamic religions of Islam, Judaism and Christianity, Archangel Azrael is also known as the Angel of Death. It is believed to play a role in helping people through important periods of transition and transformation, including the transition to the afterlife. You can pray to Azrael for help in difficult times.

Prayer to Archangel Azrael for showing the right direction

Archangel Azrael, I thank God for making you a loving companion to people who are making important changes in their lives.

Please show me how God would like me to change so that I can grow to become the person he wants me to be. Identify character traits that I need to strengthen with God's help, such as becoming more courageous, more joyful, or more forgiving. Teach me how to develop these traits to a greater extent by changing the thoughts, words and actions I choose on a regular basis. Amen.

Prayer to the angel of death Azrael for help in times of change

Archangel Azrael, help me learn more about God's good purposes for my life and encourage me to fulfill those purposes by setting priorities and allowing me to make good decisions. Guide me to transform every part of my life - from my relationships to my work - so that it reflects what is most important to God.

When circumstances in my life change in ways that cause stress, help me become aware of the challenges I face. Encourage me to trust God in situations that I cannot understand, knowing that God sees everything from an eternal, unlimited perspective and that everything He puts me through ultimately results in something good. Help me open my mind and heart so that I can transform in all ways. Inspire me to help other people I know who are going through significant changes in their lives and need support during a difficult time. Amen.

Prayer to Archangel Azrael in times of trouble

Archangel Azrael, thank you for helping dying people and their grieving loved ones. When I reflect on how much I miss people I loved who have died, comfort me as I grieve and help me heal from the sadness their death has caused in my life. So that we will be reunited in heaven when it is time for me to leave.

When my earthly life ends, please help me make the transition to the afterlife without fear. Encourage me to begin preparing now to build the kind of legacy I want to leave behind after I die, so that the world will be a better place because I lived in it, and so that God will be pleased with the choices I have made.

May I always remember that God's angels are with me as I experience all the changes that life and death brings to me. Amen.

Angel of Death

Angels of death malach ha-mavet

In biblical Judaism

Shahat

Mashehit.

ulcer, pestilence, plague or sting

It is said about the messenger of death that his entire being is covered with countless eyes. “The Talmud gives a metaphor: “Do not look, even if you are filled with eyes like the Angel of Death,” about whom it is said that he is the eyes” (Avoda Zara 20). And when the time of death comes, he comes to the patient and stands at the head of the bed with a naked blade, on the tip of which hangs a drop of bile. Seeing him, the patient opens his mouth in fear; the angel of death takes advantage of this moment and throws a deadly drop into the dying man’s mouth. A person dies from it, his face turns yellow and he completely decomposes. The second version of this story says that at the end of the blade there are three drops of poison. A man, seeing a terrible black angel, opens his mouth in horror, drops fall there and the man dies from this. The first drop ends life, the second drop is the bile of death, the third drop consolidates what has been started. These three drops of poison on the knife of the Angel of Death are controlled by Niatsrinel, a demon who lives in the level of hell called Beer Shahat (Grave Pit). Most often, the angel of death appears in the form of a fugitive, a tramp or a beggar. In folklore, he is often depicted as a creature covered in many eyes, a zealous reaper, or an old man with a sword dripping with poison.

According to another opinion, malach ha-mavet

In Christianity, the angel of death is sometimes called the Archangel Gabriel, since, according to legend, he conveyed the news of her death to the Virgin Mary a few days before her.

“Say: “The angel of death, to whom you have been entrusted, will put you to death, and then you will be returned to your Lord.” (Sura Prostration, verse 11)

• Lines from the song “They Will Give You a Sign” by the metal band “Aria”:

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Different religions have different interpretations of the origin and functions of the angel of death. But, in any case, this is a very powerful angel. Sooner or later, every person will meet him, although it is better if the meeting occurs at the time appointed by God.

Instructions

In Judaism, God sends

death for the soul of a person whose time has come to die. At the same time, the angel of death can be associated with Satan. There is an ominous legend according to which the angel of death Samael (aka Satan) comes to take a human life, holding a knife in his hands, from the tip of which 3 drops of poison flow. The first drop interrupts life, the second represents the bile of death, and the third completes the terrible work begun. As befits Satan, Samael appears only for the souls of sinners. He is an ominous black figure holding a jagged knife. The angel Gabriel comes for the righteous souls. He also brings a knife with him, but it’s perfectly straight.

In the Christian tradition, the angel of death is sometimes considered the Archangel Gabriel, who informed the Virgin Mary of the imminent arrival of death. Also, Fallen Angels are often called angels of death, who, having fallen into Hell and turned into demons, try to drag as many people as possible with them. IN

and in Judaism, the role of the angel of death is played by Azrael, accompanying souls on the way to the other world.

The image of the angel of death is often found in fairy tales and legends of different nations. However, he is not a ruthless hunter of people’s lives, but only dispassionately fulfills his duty. There are many stories about how a person tries to deceive the angel of death, but almost no one succeeds. But you can agree with him on a postponement. If you do not interfere with him in fulfilling his destiny, the angel of death will treat a person with understanding and may not only release him to complete unfinished business, but will even try to help him.

The angel of death can often be seen in works of art, primarily in literature and cinema. A completely unusual image of the angel of death, named Ertebise, was created in his play and then in the film “Orpheus” by the brilliant French poet, playwright and director Jean Cocteau. His Ertebise is a handsome young man, a former student who committed suicide because of unhappy love and turned into a driver and assistant to a beautiful and mysterious lady named Death.

At the same time, Ertebise is by no means devoid of human feelings: he sincerely and selflessly falls in love with Eurydice and makes selfless attempts to save her life and family happiness with Orpheus. It is not without reason that some researchers believe that Ertebise is a kind of double of Orpheus and, perhaps, part of the soul of Cocteau himself. This is the evolution of the image of the powerful and mysterious angel of death.

Who is the angel of death

The angel of death in Islam, Christianity, Judaism is a related figure. However, this supernatural being is depicted differently in different religions, especially if we take into account not only the beliefs of Abrahamic origin, but also the religions and cultures of other peoples of the world.

In Islam, the angel of death is given special attention - Muslims attach quite a lot of importance to his figure. This is a marked difference from the Christian and Jewish traditions, where such a messenger from heaven is a relatively minor character. The Angel of Death Azrael is one of the four angels who have the status of mukarrabun - the living beings closest to Allah. Despite the fact that Azrael is not directly named in the Koran, all modern followers of Islam speak about the existence of this angel. Most likely, his name was borrowed from Israeli sources. The Koran does not define the name of this creature and calls it nothing other than Malyak-al-maut. You can read about how to summon the angel of death, as well as protection from him, in another article on our website.

Since Azrael is one of the four angels closest to Allah - mukarrabun, he is a ruler and prophet among other angels, including the angels of death, along with Jabrail, Israfail and Mikail. Huge hosts of faithful servants obey him. These are angels from the Nashatat clan, whose purpose is to guide righteous Muslims into the next world. He also commands the angels of the Nazi family, who take the souls of sinners and infidels from the Earth. Azrael himself is, first of all, a ruler over his servants, and does not personally come for dying people.

An interesting fact is that Azrael is often mentioned in appearance as having an appearance similar to cherub angels - he also has four wings. According to the theory of the Last Judgment, Israfail will blow the horn before him, from which almost all of Allah's creations will die, and after the second sound of the horn, all the angels will die, but Azrael will become the very last creature destroyed. Another interesting fact is the similarity of the messenger of the apocalypse, Israfail, with the angel of death Samael from the Jewish tradition. Muslims also believe that this angel has many eyes, but countless mouths and fur are also added to this image.

An additional significant factor pointing to Azrael as the angel of death, or at least one of them, is the fact that in the beliefs of the Chuvash peoples, the deity associated with death is called Esrel. At the same time, an interesting point in the Chuvash religion can be called many stories about how this angel was deceived, which does not at all coincide with the belief in the inevitability of the arrival of the messengers of death in other cultures. Also in the holy book of the Sikhs - Guru Granth Sahib, the name of Azraa-Iel is mentioned as the angel of death.

In Judaism, the angels of death occupy a special place, with interpretations of their role often varying depending on the sources. So, first of all, they act as messengers of God and destroyers who must realize his plan to punish peoples mired in cruelty and sin. In addition to the common name of these angels - malach ha-mavet, they also had their own names. During the execution of Egyptian plagues, the angel of death who took all the firstborn was Shahat. In addition, other names are mentioned in the Old Testament legends - Ddavar and Mashekhit. Some see in these names a similarity with the profession of shoikhet, which also has a certain meaning.

In addition, the Talmud directly mentions that many other prominent Old Testament figures were angels of death. In particular, at some point this role was played by the Archangel Michael, who carried the dying Adam to his grave. Archangel Gabriel is the angel of death for the righteous and kings, and Samael is for sinners. The name of the demon Abaddon is also mentioned here, as well as Azrael - it is believed that this angel of death came to Islam directly from the Jewish tradition.

Shahat angel of death

The appearance of angels in the form of malach ha-mavet is described as follows: creatures covered with many eyes. In other variations and interpretations, these messengers of heaven are depicted as an old man with a sword, a tramp, or a reaper. It was in Judaism that the traditional image of death with an agricultural scythe first arose. One of the beliefs is that an angel cuts the throat of every dying person with a knife. At the same time, Gabriel’s knife for the righteous is perfectly sharp, while Samael’s knife for sinners is full of jagged edges. Thus, a parallel is drawn with kosher and non-kosher shechita - the process of killing animals so that they are suitable for food.

However, at the same time as the divine essence, the Talmud often identifies the angels of death with evil and Satan. This is not surprising, since Samael, despite the fact that for some time he was a devoted servant of God, later became an antagonist of God.

In Christianity, the angels of death, unlike Judaism and Islam, practically do not appear. Even the Christian generally accepted version of the Old Testament makes no mention of the special purpose of such entities. It is believed that at the end of life, the human soul travels on its own. This means that no guide, or especially a creature that specifically ends life, is needed.

Nevertheless, Christian dogmas recognize the ability of angels to take a person’s life if necessary. In particular, this justifies the mass murder of all first-born children during the Egyptian plagues and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. But these powers, according to the Christian faith, are possessed by any of the angels acting on the instructions of the Lord - and this applies to all angelic ranks.

In addition, fallen angels are figuratively called destroying angels, for example the demon Abaddon. Also, the messenger of death is sometimes called the Archangel Gabriel, who delivered the news of the imminent death of the Virgin Mary.

Since ancient times, people have sought to give death some image, which is reflected in their beliefs. Or, on the contrary, the presence of certain creatures that ensure the departure of people to another world led to the formation of such an image among various peoples. One way or another, in almost all the beliefs of the world, death has its messengers, starting almost from the most ancient times.

Nergal and Ereshkigal

One of the very first such creatures were Nergal and Ereshkigal in ancient Babylonian myths, which clearly had more ancient Sumerian roots. Among the ancient Egyptians, the afterlife was ruled by the gods Osiris and Anubis. Osiris was the direct ruler of the world of the dead, and Anubis performed most of the functions of the angel of death. In ancient Greece, the analogue of the angel of death was Thanatos, as well as the old man Charon, who ferried souls across the river of the dead. The Aztecs worshiped Mictlantecuhtli, the god of Death, who had a whole host of servants - tsitsimime demons, who came for dying people. In Scandinavian beliefs, the souls of warriors who died on the battlefield were taken by angelic girls - Valkyries. At the same time, Slavic legends did not preserve any corresponding “office” spirits. Buddhism and Hinduism believe that the deity or spirit Yama is responsible for death.

And in Mexico now there is even a special religion - Santa Muerte, which is completely dedicated to the essence of Death. In it, Aztec and Mayan traditions were intertwined with Christianity, after which Death in the face of the skeleton began to be worshiped and even identified with the Virgin Mary.

In general, given the huge variety of different angels of death in almost all world religions, we can verify the high probability of the real existence of such entities, especially considering the large number of similar features. Knowing the names of the angels of death, it is even possible to contact them. Most often this is done not to protect against evil, but to ensure justice. After all, departure to the next world was often considered its personification - it did not divide people into rich or poor.

Names of the angels of death in Islam, Christianity, Judaism and other religions

This term has other meanings, see

Angel of Death

Angels of death(Heb. מלאך המות, Hebrew ‏מַלְאַךְ הַמָּוֶת‏‎, malach ha-mavet- “messenger of death”) - angels taking the soul (life).

In biblical Judaism

In Judaism, the angel of death is a representative of God who is sent by God to take a life or soul. The Angel of Death passed by houses that had the blood of a lamb on them and spared the firstborn. The rest were "brought" death, as a result of which their lives were terminated. In Egypt, all the firstborn, from livestock to man, died in one night (Exodus 12:29-32).

Analyzing the text of the book of Exodus 12:23,29, we can conclude that the Lord did not strike the firstborn with his own hand, but ordered the destroyer to Hebrews. ‏שָׁחַת‏‎, Shahat commit defeat. Shahat is the name of one of the angels of death, which appears for the first time in the Bible.

In the book of Exodus 12:12-13 there is another name for the angel of death - Hebrew. ‏מַשְׁחִית‏‎, Mashehit.

The third name of the angel of death appears in the second part of the scroll of Shmuel 24:15-17:

Daver Hebrew ‏דָּ֫בֶר‏‎ - means ulcer, pestilence, plague or sting. The first part of Chronicle 21:15 contains a record saying that it was the destroying angel of Hebrews. שָׁחַת‏‎, that is, Shahat:

It is said about the messenger of death that his entire being is covered with countless eyes. “The Talmud gives a metaphor: “Do not look, even if you are filled with eyes, like the Angel of Death,” about whom it is said that he is the eyes” (Avoda Zara 20). And when the time of death comes, he comes to the patient and stands at the head of the bed with a naked blade, on the tip of which hangs a drop of bile. Seeing him, the patient opens his mouth in fear; the angel of death takes advantage of this moment and throws a deadly drop into the dying man’s mouth. A person dies from it, his face turns yellow and he completely decomposes. The second version of this story says that at the end of the blade there are three drops of poison. A man, seeing a terrible black angel, opens his mouth in horror, drops fall there and the man dies from this. The first drop ends life, the second drop is the bile of death, the third drop consolidates what has been started. These three drops of poison on the knife of the Angel of Death are controlled by Niatsrinel, a demon who lives in the level of hell called Beer Shahat (Grave Pit). Most often, the angel of death appears in the form of a fugitive, a tramp or a beggar. In folklore, he is often depicted as a creature covered in many eyes, a zealous reaper, or an old man with a sword dripping with poison.

According to another opinion, malach ha-mavet directly cuts the dying man's throat, but he does it invisibly to others out of respect for God's creations (ib.). The Angel of Death causes only natural death; he does not participate in unnatural death (see Arach., 7a).

At the same time, the angel of death is also associated with Satan. Thus, the Talmud contains the following definition: “Satan is the Angel of Death, he is also a bad impulse.”

Samael, as malach ha-mavet, the angel of death, is a terrible black figure with a jagged knife who comes only for sinners. The angel Gabriel comes for the righteous with a perfectly straight knife in his hands, and taking away the souls of the righteous with him is compared to “kosher shechita,” while what Samael does with sinners is “non-kosher shechita.”

In Christianity, the angel of death is sometimes called the Archangel Gabriel, since, according to legend, he conveyed the news of her death to the Virgin Mary a few days before her.

Also, according to the book of the Apocalypse, Abaddon is associated with the angel of death:

Angel of Death in Islam. “Proverbs” - “At the hour predetermined by the Lord, a person suffers from illness or his body ceases its functions, which marks an invitation to the Angel of Death Azrael.”

In the Koran, the Angels of Death are described allegorically:

“Say: “The angel of death, to whom you have been entrusted, will put you to death, and then you will be returned to your Lord.” (Sura Earthly Bow, verse 11)

“To those whom the angels kill (acting) unjustly (toward) themselves, they will say: “What (position) were you in?” They will say: “We were weak on earth.” They will say: “Was not the land of God spacious so that you (could) migrate in it?” Gehenna will be their refuge. How bad is this place of arrival! (Surah Women, verse 97)

“Angel of Death” - a song by the Russian gothic rock band “Shmeli”

• Lines from the song “You will be given a sign” by the metal band “Aria”:

The Angel of Death will be here when the battle begins,

He will push you to the bayonet and take you with him...

In a parallel world live angels, creatures divine in the incorporeal beauty. They are woven from rays of light, bringing harmony and a feeling of worship to the Lord of the worlds. Let's get acquainted with the pages of wise books, touch the corner of our hearts to the sacred revelations of the Koran, where mysterious knowledge from the depths of millennia is hidden. Let the curtain of history be lifted a little so that the enchanting world of brilliant heavenly creatures - angels - can be revealed to the gaze of contemporaries.

An angel in Islam is interpreted as a messenger. Belief in angels is clearly stated in the Qur'an and is one of the fundamental tenets of Islam. Denial of the existence of angels directly speaks of rejection of God; such a person becomes an atheist.

Angels in Islam

Allah wove from light majestic and incredibly powerful heavenly beings - angels. They are the embodiment of absolute goodness, they are entrusted with the most important mission, but their primary purpose is to serve the ruler, offering him honors day and night. Angels are the faithful servants of Allah, his huge heavenly army, which defeated the rebellious apostates and jinn. The Koran mentions light creatures more than once, but the detailed description of their appearance is blurry; more is said about their deeds. They have incredible strength, are sexless, sinless, do not need food, and have wings on their backs that cover the entire sky. They are incredibly beautiful: brilliant in appearance, piety and nobility.

It is impossible to list all the names of angels in Islam, since there are a lot of them, but several of the most important ones are distinguished. All others are guardians and are responsible for souls. Magnificent celestial beings are devoid of even the slightest temptation, although they can choose.

An angel in Islam can be present everywhere overnight, but it is impossible for an ordinary person to see him. Only prophets reveal such an incredible phenomenon in order to convey the will of Allah to people. Angelic beings are called “malaika”, although they are not equal in hierarchy. They fulfill only their own circle of obligations; each has certain abilities. The most powerful ones, those who have earned honor and great glory, are mentioned by name. The rest are nameless or define some areas of Muslim life.

Names of angels in Islam (main)

As mentioned above, there are a huge number of angelic beings. It is impossible to list them all. But the main angels in Islam are as follows:

• Jabrail is obliged to serve as a link between Allah and the prophets.
• Michael stands at the head of the heavenly angelic army; the winds and clouds are under his control.
• Israfil - will blow on the sacred horn, which will notify the beginning of the end of the world;
• Malik - stands guard at the entrance to hell.
• Harut and Marut warn about witchcraft and explain that it cannot be used. Like punishment for being seduced by forbidden fruit, temptation will be followed by retribution.
• Munkar and Nakir - come to the deceased to ask about their deeds.
• Azrael is the angel of death in Islam, takes away human souls.

Difference of angels by ranks

There are other celestial creatures, but they have no names. Those who have received recognition include guardian angels. They are obliged to be close to each of the people in order to protect them in difficult times. Only if Allah prescribes a test for a person, the angels leave him for a while. Some have been around since the moment they were born. They are called scribe angels.

Their location is the right and left shoulders of a person, sitting on which they record his actions and thoughts. At the time of judgment, the time will come to read out what is written and carry out the just verdict. There are angels who help a person during prayer, protect during military operations, and protect unborn children. There are angels who convey greetings from the faithful to the Prophet Muhammad. Its own group of angels is responsible for a certain life situation. Some angels do not encounter human activity. Some of them are located near the throne of Allah, others control the natural elements, and others lead the luminaries and stars across the sky.

All angelic beings are endowed with wings, but they do not resemble the wings of birds - after all, they were created according to the power of the angels and what they directly do. The stronger the messenger, the more space he occupies. They do not have their own will, aspirations, body, and are not subject to temptations. It is much easier for angels to remain righteous than for people, who must constantly restrain their intentions.

Angels in Islam: description

Based on the descriptions in the Koran, angels do not resemble the appearance of the Almighty:

• Created from light long before the appearance of humanity.
• They are incorporeal creatures that cannot be seen by the human eye.
• They don’t resemble a person with wings, their essence is completely different.
• Angels are huge, and the number of wings ranges from two to several hundred. The Prophet describes Gabriel, who obscured the sky, as follows: “His six hundred wings are incredibly large, sparkling drops fall from them, reminiscent of coral and pearls.” All angels are created beautiful in unearthly beauty.
• In some cases they take on human form. The angel Gabriel in Islam appeared to the prophet in the form of Dihya ibn Khalifa Al-Kalbi or taking the form of a Bedouin. He appeared in a snow-white robe and sat opposite the prophet to ask about faith and the signs of the last hour.
• Although angels take the form of humans, they are asexual.
• I attribute names to angels, but only a few of them have been confirmed by reliable texts.
• They serve in heaven and on earth, everything that happens on earth depends on their activities.
• Some are endowed with the ability to read minds. Before a person commits a crime, the scribe angels report his intentions to Allah.
• They overcome incredible conditions with lightning speed.
• They obey the will of the Almighty, they are His obedient slaves.
• Constantly in contact with people. They accompany a person from birth to death, some even come to the grave.

Functions of some angels

There are several types of angelic beings, each of them performs its own function. In constant worship of the Almighty there is a part of the angels called “Mukarrabun”. They constantly praise Allah, even if the heavens open, they will not stop bowing to the greatness of their Lord.
The angels, called “Kiramen Katibin,” regularly keep records of people’s earthly deeds and write all human deeds in their personal book of life. The angels of “Haphaz” stand guard over the protection of people; if they were not there, believers would be under the influence of devilish forces.

Angels, led by Azrael, take the souls of the departed.

There are also two angels who pose questions to the dead about religion, God and the prophet. This is Munkar and Nakir. They appear to the dead right in the grave to get answers. They appear before non-believers as menacing black creatures, terrifying with their thunderous voice and glowing eyes. Before true believers they take on a completely opposite appearance; they appear in the form of a kind, sympathetic friend to talk with all zeal and goodwill. There are 19 angels serving in hell, called “Zabani”. They have enormous stature and are extremely cruel to all sinners.

The Almighty chose prophets not only among people, but also among angels. The four main angels are considered prophets among them: the archangels Jabrail, Israfil, Mikail and Israel. They are entrusted with fulfilling not only prophetic missions, but also other instructions of Allah:

• The orders of the Almighty were given to each of the prophets by the Archangel Gabriel. He is the closest to Allah, therefore he informs the prophets about prohibitions and instructions. He has noble traits: power, exorbitant strength, and knows how to revive and take on various forms. In all his might he appeared before the Prophet Muhammad twice. For the first time he appeared before the prophet in heaven: he had six hundred wings stretching from heaven to earth. The second time occurred on the night of the ascension.
• Angel Mikail in Islam influences everything that happens on earth. He is helped by many invisible minions. He rules over rain clouds and winds; without his permission, not a single rain or snowflake will touch the surface of the earth.
• Archangel Israfil is instructed to always be nearby near a huge trumpet that looks like a horn. His mission is, by order of Allah, to blow the “Suur”, which will mark the End of the World. From the sounds of the trumpet, all living things will fall into a terrible state of panic, and then die. Everything beautiful under the sky will be destroyed. Israfil will blow again so that everyone who has ever lived on earth will come to life. And everyone will gather in anticipation of the trial.
• The angel Azrael in Islam collects human souls after the end of their earthly journey.

Angels on shoulders

Every Muslim is endowed with guardian angels, who change two at a time twice a day. One of them is located in front of the person, the other is slightly behind. They change in pairs day and night. Clerical angels are constantly present near a person - in two shifts, two take turns: one on the right, the other on the left. The one on the right remembers good deeds, and the one on the left remembers sins and bad actions. The one on the right occupies a higher position than the one on the left. Angels on the shoulders play a big role in Islam as they remember everything a person says and does, while accumulating evidence to be demonstrated on the Day of Judgment. This is necessary to make a well-deserved verdict for any person, and does not depend on his worldly position in society (janitor or minister) or relative preference in faith (Muslim or Christian). In some cases, it is better to shut up in time than to speak rashly. After all, angry words will place a heavy burden on the scale of sins, and not good deeds.

If a believer has committed a sinful act, the angel does nothing for three hours. If a person regrets what he has done and repents and asks for forgiveness from Allah, then the act is annulled. And it will no longer be announced on the day of resurrection, therefore it will not become the cause of suffering and torment.

Between morning and afternoon prayers there is a changing of the angelic guard. Groups of angels replace each other night and day in order to ascend high and answer to the Almighty, who each time asks in what condition their charge is.

Azrael: meeting with the angel who brings death

Azrael is the angel of death in Islam. He is the fourth greatest prophet. It arrives when life has come to an end. Death will come to each of the living, but a person will be able to understand that it has come when he sees the majestic Israel before him. In the minds of believers, he is terrible, sinister, has four faces, a thousand wings, and an incredible number of eyes and tongues. Often people are surprised how he manages to be in different places at the same time. The angel of death in Islam fulfills the command of Allah, so he can do anything. There are millions of servants under Israel's control. This angel considers killing to be the fulfillment of his direct work and the duties that Allah has entrusted to him, so he does everything pedantically and carefully. Next to him are the angels of mercy and punishment, who come for the soul of the sinner in a terrible form, and for the soul of the righteous in a beautiful form.

Subordinates of Israel

The following angels are the subordinates of Israel:

• Nazia - refers to the punishing angels who come for the souls of infidels. Their faces are securely hidden by black cloth and they smell of carrion. They roughly rip souls from their bodies to send them straight to the underworld.
• Nashatat - come to righteous Muslims. They are endowed with compassion, so they wield sharp blades with which they quickly and painlessly separate the soul and the body. Their radiant faces are hidden by thin white silk, and the fragrance emanating from them is comparable to the smell of heaven.
• Sabihat and sabikat help other angels of death to perform their duties. According to some reports, they interrupt the lives of weak-willed animals. Sometimes they can warn the righteous about the approach of death and prepare for an imminent death.
• Based on the interpretations, Israil, or Israfil, is also an angel of death. It looks like a terrible creature, close to Allah. An angel will announce the end of the World by blowing a trumpet, the voice of which will spread throughout the Universe.

The concept of "fallen angel"

There is no such thing as a "fallen angel" in Islam. They are all created sinless by nature. True, some mention the names of Harut, Iblis, Marut, it seems like they refer to the fallen. Although this opinion is not correct. In submission to the Almighty, absolutely all angelic beings are flawless. Iblis is a genie, that is, a fiery subpersonality. He is responsible for the expulsion of Adam and Eve from paradise. Allah sent Marut and Harut to earth to test human faith. The Babylonians at that time were fond of sorcery, with the help of which they solved all matters. Angels in the guise of ordinary people tried to explain to people the harmfulness of their addiction, but no one was interested. Marut and Harut did not turn into fallen angels, they tried to fulfill the highest commission.

Guardian Angels of Believers

Guardian angels in Islam help a person in this and the eternal world. He is able to show the believer in a dream his fears in order to warn in time, as well as what inspires love in order to increase gratitude and strengthen the heart. They are patrons and protectors, offer prayers to Allah for people and ask for the forgiveness of sinners. Angels support people in moments of fear or sorrow, are able to remind them of things to do, and encourage them when they don’t want to do anything. If a person has managed to overcome temptations and difficulties, he has accustomed himself to piety and truthfulness, the Almighty sends an angel to him with the news of the honor that awaits him in heaven. The angel brightens up his loneliness, turns into a good interlocutor in his mind and a comrade in solitude. When a believer is on the verge of death, he encourages and asks not to be afraid of the unknown.

The angelic world is beautiful and enchanting. In Islam it is presented as particularly complex. An angel in Islam is not a deity; people do not offer prayers to him or worship him. There are no good, evil or fallen angels. After the end of life, a person will never turn into a celestial being. A guardian angel guides his ward through the thorns of life in order to invisibly protect him. In difficult times, he will protect you from misfortunes with a gentle wing, whisper the correct answer with the rustle of leaves in the breeze, will not let you fall at a sharp turn, will guide you forward without asking for anything in return. This is how an angel fulfills his destiny in Islam.

« Say: “The angel of death, to whom you have been entrusted, will put you to death, and then you will be returned to your Lord" (Quran; 32:11)

Death itself is a great sign and demonstration of the omnipotence of Allah.

Each person is given a certain period of life on earth, and when it comes to an end, no one and nothing can avert the coming of the angels of death, the main of which is Azrael.

At the hour appointed by Allah for any specific person, he removes the soul from the body. But he is not the only one in this process and other angels help him, as evidenced by the verse: “T e, whom the angels killed..."(Quran; 16:28. Only the necessary part of the verse is given)

One of the famous commentators of the Koran, Mujahid, who in turn is referred to by another famous commentator, Qurtubi, describes the process of extracting the soul from the body: “Before the angel of death, the whole world is like an open box in which people are scattered like grains, and he snatches those from them that he wants."

He concluded by saying, “O Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon you, everything I tell you is by the will and order of Allah. If I, of my own free will, wanted to take the life of a mosquito, I would not be able to do this until an order comes from Allah.”

In this regard, the question arises, does Azrael take the life of animals?

Imam Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, adhered to this point of view. But other theologians believed that Azrael only takes the souls of people. As for animals, they die at the command of Allah without the mediation of angels. Imam Qurtubi cites this point of view in his tafsir.

Abi ash-Sheikh, Waqili, Daylami adhered to the same position, referring to the hadith transmitted by Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, in which the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “All animals and insects glorify Allah. When they stop this glorification, Allah takes their souls. The Angel of Death is not responsible for the death of animals."

Tafsir Mazhari mentions another hadith, transmitted by Abdullah ibn Umar: “When Allah Taala ordered Azrael, peace be upon him, to kill people, he prayed: “O my Lord, You have placed such a duty on me that all the sons of Adam living in the world will curse me whenever they remember me and consider me evil.”

To this, Allah Taala answered him: “We took care of this and spread in the world some noticeable diseases and other causes of death of people, which they will associate with death and you will be protected from their curses.” (This hadith is cited by Qurtubi in his Tafsir and the work “At-tazkira”)

Imam al-Baghawi also quotes a hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “All illnesses, pain and wounds carry the message of death. They remind every person of his death. After this, when the time of death comes, the angel of death turns to the dying person and says: “O servant of God, how many warnings have I sent you one after another! All these illnesses and accidents were to prepare you for death. Now I am here in front of you and no one else will come to you with a warning. Now you must agree to the command of your Lord, whether you like it or not.”

The angel of death himself does not know the time when the death of this or that person occurs in advance. He learns about it only when a command comes from Allah.

Ildar Mukhamedzhanov

In Judaism

Josef Nesvadba, story “Angel of Death” - “In a few hours, a star rising in the sky will flare up and merge with its planet into a single giant sparkling mass. It will burn everything around. But not the truth known to mankind. I didn't understand her. And he was left alone. The only person who will die on Earth."

Angel of Death in Islam. “Proverbs” - “At the hour predetermined by the Lord, a person suffers from illness or his body ceases its functions, which marks an invitation to the Angel of Death Azrael.”

In popular culture

• The Angel of Death appears in the TV series “Charmed” (16x03 - Death Takes A Halliwell, and also in 7x05 - Styx Feet Under). Also in the TV series "American Horror Story" (07x02 - Dark Cousin).
• In the film "Dogma" directed by Kevin Smith, the angels of death Loki and Bartleby appear, around whom the plot of the film is tied. Azrael also appears there, but in the film he is a demon, a former angel-muse who was sent to Hell for refusing to fight during the war between Heaven and Hell.
• Angel of Death is a song by American thrash metal band Slayer from the album Reign in Blood (1986)

see also

Notes

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See what “Angels of Death” are in other dictionaries:

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