Who is the angel Mikail in Islam?
Mikail (Michael) is one of the greatest angels in Islam, named in the Quran right next to Jibril. Scholars commonly describe his role as being in charge of rain and provision by Allah's command. Believing in him, as in all angels, is part of Muslim faith.
Mikail in the Quran
Mikail is mentioned by name once in the Quran. Some people in Madinah said they loved one angel but were hostile to another, and the Quran answered that hostility to any of Allah's angels is hostility to Allah:
Naming Jibril and Mikail separately, after "His angels," shows how high their rank is. For the angel who brought the revelation, see Who is Jibril in Islam?
What does Mikail do?
Many scholars explain that Mikail is entrusted with rain, plants and the provision that comes from them, always acting by Allah's command and never on his own. Some reports add details, but they aren't all strong, so it's enough to know the general picture: Mikail is linked to the rain and growth that keep life going on earth.
Scholars often point out a beautiful pattern among the three great angels: Jibril brings revelation, which gives life to hearts; Mikail is linked to rain, which gives life to the earth; and Israfil will blow the Trumpet, which brings life back to the dead.
The Prophet ﷺ mentioned him in prayer
When the Prophet ﷺ began his night prayer, he would open with a dua starting, "O Allah, Lord of Jibril, Mika'il and Israfil, Creator of the heavens and the earth..." (Sahih Muslim 770). It's a lovely dua to learn for tahajjud.
On the day of the Battle of Uhud, a Companion saw two men in white clothes fighting fiercely on the Prophet's ﷺ right and left, whom he had never seen before or after; they were Jibril and Mikail (Sahih Muslim 2306).
Angels in a Muslim's daily life
- Muslims don't pray to Mikail or any angel; all worship is for Allah alone.
- Angels have no free will to disobey; they simply carry out what Allah commands.
- Other angels record your deeds and protect you. See Do Muslims believe in guardian angels?
- For the six pillars of faith, including angels, see Do Muslims believe in angels?
- Mikail is named in Quran 2:98, alongside Jibril.
- Scholars describe him as in charge of rain and provision, by Allah's command.
- The Prophet ﷺ named him in his night-prayer dua.
- Muslims honour angels but never worship or pray to them.
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