Do Muslims believe in angels?
Yes. Belief in angels is one of the six articles of faith in Islam, alongside belief in God, His books, His messengers, the Last Day and divine decree. Muslims believe angels are real beings created by God from light, who worship Him constantly and carry out His commands. They are servants of God, never objects of worship.
A core part of faith
When the angel Gabriel came to the Prophet ﷺ in human form and asked "What is faith?", the answer began: "to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection" (Sahih al-Bukhari 50). The Quran also describes the believers as those who believe "in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers" (Quran 2:285).
What angels are like
- Made of light: the Prophet ﷺ said: "The Angels were born out of light and the Jinns were born out of the spark of fire and Adam was born as he has been defined (in the Qur'an) for you" (Sahih Muslim 2996).
- Always obedient: angels don't have free will to sin the way humans and jinn do.
- Tireless: "They exalt [Him] night and day [and] do not slacken" (Quran 21:20).
- Winged: the Quran describes angels as "having wings, two or three or four" (Quran 35:1).
- Usually unseen: they can take human form by God's permission, as Gabriel did.
Angels and their jobs
- Gabriel (Jibril): brought revelation to the prophets, including the Quran (Quran 2:97).
- Michael (Mika'il): named in the Quran alongside Gabriel (Quran 2:98).
- The angel of death: takes each soul at its appointed time (Quran 32:11).
- The recorders: two angels write down every person's deeds; "he utters no word except that with him is an observer prepared [to record]" (Quran 50:18).
- Guardians: angels "who protect him by the decree of Allah" (Quran 13:11).
- Malik: the angel in charge of Hell (Quran 43:77).
Angels also have a role after death, when each person is questioned in the grave. See What happens in the grave in Islam?
Similar to Christian and Jewish belief
Christians and Jews will recognize Gabriel and Michael. One difference: in Islam, Satan (Iblis) was never an angel. He was a jinn, a separate creation made from fire with free will, who refused to bow to Adam out of pride. That's why Muslims believe angels can't rebel. For more on jinn, see Can jinn possess me after I become Muslim? And if you've wondered how angels and jinn compare with life on other planets, see Do Muslims believe in aliens?
- Belief in angels is one of Islam's six articles of faith.
- Angels are made of light and always obey God.
- Gabriel, Michael and the angel of death are named roles.
- In Islam, Satan is a jinn, not a fallen angel.
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