Tasks of Angels

Allah The Almighty described the tasks of some of the angels Saying (what means): {And those who arrange [each] matter} [Quran 79: 5] Al-Hasan  said, "The verse refers to the angels. They arrange the affairs from the heavens to the earth. Allah The Almighty also Says (what means): {And those [angels] apportioning [each] matter } [Quran 51: 40] It is said in its interpretation: They are the angles, among which tasks are distributed, such as land fertility and infertility, rain, death and all other different matters.

Allah The Almighty mentioned some of the tasks which He entrusted to angels such as His saying (which means): {For each one are successive [angels] before and behind him who protect him by the decree of Allah.}[Quran 13: 11] Such angels are entrusted to protect human beings from every evil by the command of Allah The Almighty until the decree of Allah The Almighty reaches him and at this moment they leave him. Allah The Almighty also Says (what means): {And He is the subjugator over His servants, and He sends over you guardian-angels until, when death comes to one of you, Our messengers take him, and they do not fail [in their duties].} [Quran 6: 61] In this verse, Allah The Almighty mentioned that the angels are entrusted to take the souls of people.

Moreover, some of them are appointed to carry the Throne of the Most Gracious. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Those [angels] who carry the Throne and those around it exalt [ Allah ] with praise of their Lord.} [Quran 40: 7]

Amongst the tasks of the angels is that they ask forgiveness for those who have believed. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And ask forgiveness for those who have believed, [saying], "Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire.} [Quran 40: 7]

It was also reported in the Sunnah what indicates that Allah The Almighty takes care of humans at the first stages of their creation and formation in the wombs of their mothers. Anas ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet  said: “Allah has appointed an angel over the womb. He says, ‘O Lord, a drop of semen (Nutfah); O Lord, a clot (‘Alaqah); O Lord, a little lump of flesh (Mudhghah).’ Then if Allah wishes (to complete) its creation, the angel asks, (O Lord) male or female, wretched (doomed to Hell) or blessed (destined for Paradise)? How much will his provision be? And what will his lifespan be?’ All that is written whilst (the child) is still in the mother's womb.” [Al-Bukhari]

In addition, it was reported in the Sunnah that Allah The Almighty has appointed angels to form embryos in their mothers’ wombs and to breathe the soul into them. Huthayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah  said: “When the drop (of semen) remains in the womb for forty two nights, Allah The Almighty sends an angel to it to form it, create its hearing, sight, skin, flesh, and bones.” [Muslim]

Amongst the tasks of the angels is writing down all deeds of the people whether good or evil. Allah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {Man does not utter any word except that with him is an observer prepared [to record].} [Quran 50: 18]
• {Noble and recording. They know whatever you do.} [Quran 82: 11-12]

Other Hadeeths indicate that some angels are appointed to travel throughout the world, seeking out gatherings of Thikr (remembrance of Allah The Almighty). Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah  said: “Allah The Almighty has angels who travel the highways seeking out the people of Thikr. When they find people remembering Allah, they call out to one another, "Come to what you hunger for.” [Al-Bukhari]

Hadeeths also indicate that there are angels who strive in Jihaad with the believers. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {[Remember] when you asked help of your Lord, and He answered you, "Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another.} [Quran 8: 9] Ar-Rabee‘ ibn Anas said, "In the aftermath of the battle of Badr, the people recognized those whom the angels had killed from those whom they killed, by the wounds over their necks, fingers and toes, because those parts had a mark as if they were branded by fire.'' [Al-Bayhaqi]

Many proofs indicate that angels will intercede on the Day of Resurrection for the sinful believers. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And how many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will not avail at all except [only] after Allah has permitted [it] to whom He wills and approves.} [Quran 53:26]

And it was stated in the Hadeeth: “…then angels, Prophets and truthful worshipers will intercede...” [Ibn Hibbaan]

It was mentioned in some Hadeeths that there are angels entrusted to protect the sacred places from Ad-Dajjaal (anti-Christ) as what Anas ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated from the Prophet  as saying: “There is no land that the Dajjaal will not enter, apart from Makkah and Al-Madeenah. He will not come to any of their entrances but there will be angels standing in rows guarding them...” [Al-Bukhari]

There are Hadeeths that indicate that angels do not enter a house in which there is a picture (image) or a dog. Abu Talhah Al-Ansaari, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah  said: “The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image.” [Ahmad]

Those were some of the tasks of angels mentioned in the Noble Quran and the honorable Sunnah of the Prophet  without naming the angels who are entrusted with such actions.

On the other hand, the Noble Quran and the honorable Sunnah mentioned certain tasks of the angels and also named those angels. Amongst the greatest angels that the Noble Quran and honorable Sunnah mentioned their names and their tasks are Jibreel (Gabriel), may Allah exalt his mention, who brings down the Revelation to the Messengers, and Meekaal (Michael) who is in charge of the rain. Both of them are appointed to maintain life; Jibreel is appointed to maintain the life of hearts while Meekaal is appointed to maintain the life of bodies. Both revelation and rain are essential for life to continue and for achieving happiness for humanity. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and His messengers and Gabriel and Michael - then indeed, Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers.} [Quran 2: 98]

Amongst those whom the Quran mentioned explicitly by their names is Maalik the Keeper of Hell. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And they will call, "O Maalik, let your Lord put an end to us!" He will say, "Indeed, you will remain.} [Quran 43: 77]

Other angels whom the Quran mentioned explicitly by their names are Haaroot and Maaroot, may Allah exalt their mention. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Haaroot and Maaroot.} [Quran 2: 102]

Moreover, the Sunnah has mentioned the names of some angels and their tasks. Amongst those angels whom the Sunnah mentioned by their names are Israafeel, may Allah exalt his mention, who is appointed to blow in the Horn. Abu Sa‘eed Al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah  said: “How can I feel comfortable when the one with the Horn has put the Horn in his mouth and has looked down, listening out for the command to be given to him?” They said, ‘What should we say, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said: Say: “Allah is Sufficient for us and the best Disposer of affairs, on Allah have we rely.” [Ahmad and At-Tirmithi] It was mentioned in another narration that Israafeel is the one who is appointed to blow the horn.

Amongst those angels whom the Sunnah mentioned by their names are Munkar and Nakeer, may Allah exalt their mention, who are appointed to ask every slave in his grave. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah  said: “When the deceased is buried (or he said: when one of you is buried), there come to him two blue-black angels, one of whom is called Al-Munkar and the other An-Nakeer.”[At-Tirmithi]

It is common to hear people say that the name of the angel of death is ‘Izraa’eel while, as the scholars said, there is no proof in any Saheeh Hadeeth that his name is ‘Izraa’eel. In addition, Allah The Almighty has mentioned him with his task not by his name. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Say, "The angel of death will take you who has been entrusted with you.} [Quran 32: 11]

Such are some of the tasks of the angels that were mentioned in the Noble Quran and Sunnah. This indicates, as Ibn Al-Qayyim said, that Allah The Almighty has appointed angels for the heavenly and earthly worlds. They arrange the affairs of the world by the permission, will and command of Allah The Almighty. Therefore, He sometimes attributes arranging such affairs to the angels for they are those who fulfill such matters as Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And those who arrange [each] matter}[Quran 79: 5] While at other times He attributes that to Himself as He Says (what means): {Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne, arranging the matter [of His creation].} [Quran 10: 3] Thus, Allah The Almighty is the One Who arranges the affairs of all things by His command, permission and will while the angels are those who accomplish these matters. -islamweb.net