Qur'an folio in gold Kufic, 9th c. · Cleveland Museum of Art · CC0

Islam

Tradition·Founded 610 CE·est. ~2 billion worldwide

Islam → 4 branches

Branch
T Figure of Islam

The angels.

Made of light, incapable of disobedience: Jibril carries revelation, Mika'il provision, Israfil the trumpet. Belief in them is an article of faith.

Names & titlesJibril, Mika'il, Israfil, Azra'il
DomainRevelation, provision, the trumpet, the taking of souls
Depicted asMade of light; Jibril once filled the horizon with six hundred wings
StandingBelieved in as an article of faith; not petitioned
Understanding it — context, not catechism: how this passage is held

Angels in Islam are made of light, have no free will, and are an article of faith rather than folklore — belief in them is listed among the six pillars of iman. Named ones have specific offices: Jibril carries revelation, Mikail sustenance, Israfil will blow the trumpet, and two recording angels write each person's deeds. The theologically pointed case is Iblis, who refused to bow to Adam: the Quran calls him one of the jinn, not an angel, which preserves the rule that angels do not disobey.

The conversation

argument stays attached to the claim it is about All discussion →

Sign in to open the first thread. Everything here is attributed.

Built on Hatchable