The Role of Angels in the Afterlife

 

Angels, in Islamic theology, are divine beings created by Allah to fulfill specific roles and tasks. They are part of the unseen world, created from light, and do not possess free will like humans. Instead, they serve and obey Allah in all matters.

One of the most critical roles of angels in Islamic belief is their involvement in the Afterlife, where they serve various functions, including the protection of the righteous, the punishment of the wrongdoers, and the administration of Allah’s justice.

In this blog post, we will explore the roles and functions of angels in the Afterlife, based on Quranic verses and Hadith references.

These roles are significant for understanding the divine plan for the afterlife and the role angels play in delivering Allah’s commands. We will also examine the various angels mentioned in the Quran and Hadith who are directly involved in the events of the Hereafter.

Angels in the Afterlife: Their General Role

 

The Quran and Hadith highlight that angels have many essential tasks, from the moment of a person’s death until their final destination in the afterlife. They are responsible for the collection of souls, the examination of deeds, the transport of the soul to its final resting place, and the punishment or reward based on a person’s actions in this world.

Quranic Reference:

“It is Allah who takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die during their sleep; He withholds the soul of the one who has died and sends the other back for an appointed term.”
(Surah Az-Zumar 39:42)

Arabic:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَتَوَفَّىٰٓ ٱلْأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا وَٱلَّتِى لَمْ تَمُتْ فِى مَنَامِهَا ۖ فَيُمْسِكُ ٱلَّتِى قَضَىٰ عَلَيْهَا ٱلْمَوْتَ وَيُرْسِلُ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍۢ مُّسَمًّۭى ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَٰٓيَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
Transliteration:
Inna Allah yatawaffā al-anfusa ḥīna mawtihā wal-latī lam tamut fī manāmihā fa-yumsiku al-latī qaḍā ‘alayhā al-mawt wa-yursilu al-ukhra ilā ajalin musamman, inna fī dhālika la-āyātin li-qawmin yatafakkarūn.

This verse shows that angels play a central role in the process of taking and returning souls, under the direct command of Allah. They are entrusted with ensuring that the soul is either held or returned based on the divine will.

The Angel of Death (Azrael)

 

The most well-known angel involved in the process of death is Azrael (ʿIzrā’īl), the Angel of Death. Azrael is tasked with separating the soul from the body when a person dies. He is not the only angel involved in this process, but he is the primary angel responsible for taking the soul and bringing it to the next stage of existence.

Quranic Reference:

“Say, ‘The Angel of Death, who is appointed over you, will take your souls; then you will be brought to your Lord.'”
(Surah As-Sajdah 32:11)

Arabic:
قُلْ يَتَوَفَّىٰكُمْ مَلَكُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ٱلَّذِى وُكِّلَ بِكُمْ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ
Transliteration:
Qul yātawaffākum malaku al-mawtī al-ladhī wukkila bikum, thumma ilā rabbikum turja‘ūn.

This verse indicates that Azrael, the Angel of Death, is responsible for taking the souls from the bodies and returning them to Allah. The soul’s departure from the body marks the beginning of the journey into the afterlife.

Hadith Reference:

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:


“When the soul of a believer is taken, it is received by the angels with great care and wrapped in fine silk. They ascend to the heavens, and as they pass through each layer, the angels ask, ‘Who is this soul?’ And they respond, ‘It is the soul of so-and-so, the son of so-and-so.'”
(Sahih Muslim)

Arabic:
إِذَا قَبَضَتْ رُوحُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِ فَصَارَتْ فِى ٱلْجَنَّةِ فَفَتَحُوا۟ لَهُۥ فُتْحَةًۭ مِنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ فَسَأَلُوا۟ فِيهِ فَجَعَلُوا۟ لَهُۥ رَأْسًا فِى ٱلْسَّمَاءِ
Transliteration:
Iza qabadat rūḥ al-mu’min fa-ṣārati fī al-jannati fa-fataḥū lahu futḥatan min al-jannati fa-sa’alū fīhi fa-ja‘alū lahu ra’san fī as-samā’ī.

This hadith emphasizes that the soul of the believer is treated with respect by the angels as it embarks on its journey to the afterlife.

The Role of Angels in the Afterlife

The Two Angels Who Question the Dead (Munkar and Nakīr)

 

After the soul is separated from the body, the deceased enters the grave, where two angels named Munkar and Nakīr are tasked with questioning the soul about its beliefs and deeds in this world. These angels ask the dead three essential questions: “Who is your Lord?”, “What is your religion?”, and “Who is this man who was sent among you?” The answers to these questions determine the fate of the soul.

Quranic Reference:

Though the Quran does not explicitly mention Munkar and Nakīr by name, it alludes to the questioning of the soul after death:

“Indeed, you were in heedlessness of this, now We have removed your veil, and sharp is your sight this day.”
(Surah Qaf 50:22)

Arabic:
إِنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍۢ مِّنْ هَٰذَا ۖ فَكُشِفْنَا عَنكَ غِطَاءَكَ فَبَصَرُكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ حَدِيدٌ
Transliteration:
Innakum kuntum fī ghaflatin min hādhā fakushifnā ‘anka ghatā’aka fabasaruka al-yawma ḥadīd.

This verse emphasizes that after death, the veil is lifted, and the soul becomes fully aware of its fate, signifying the critical moment of questioning.

Hadith Reference:

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:


“When a servant is placed in his grave, and his companions depart, two black angels come to him. One of them is called Munkar, and the other Nakīr. They will ask him, ‘Who is your Lord?’ The believer will reply, ‘My Lord is Allah.’ Then they will ask him, ‘What is your religion?’ and he will answer, ‘My religion is Islam.'”
(Sunan Tirmidhi)

Arabic:
“إِذَا وُضِعَ العَبْدُ فِى قَبْرِهِ وَفَارَقَتْهُ أَهْلُهُ فَجَاءَتْهُ مَلَكَآنِ أَسْوَدَآنِ أَحْدُهُمَا يُدْنَىٰ مِنْهُ فَيَقُولُ لَهُۥ مَنْ رَبُّكَ فَيَقُولُ رَبِّىَ ٱللَّهُ…”
Transliteration:
Iza wudi‘a al-‘abdu fī qabrihi wafāraqathu ahluhu fajā’at-hu malakāni aswadāni aḥdahumā yudnā min-hu fa yaqūlū lahu man rabbuka fa yaqūlū rabī al-llāh…

This hadith outlines the questioning process by Munkar and Nakīr, providing a vivid depiction of the soul’s interaction with the angels in the grave.

The Angels Who Carry the Throne of Allah (Hamalat al-‘Arsh)

 

The Hamalat al-‘Arsh are a group of powerful angels who carry the Throne of Allah. These angels play a pivotal role in the divine system of the afterlife. On the Day of Judgment, they will be present at the grand assembly where all souls will be judged.

Quranic Reference:

“Those who carry the Throne and those around it glorify Him with praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask forgiveness for those who have believed.”
(Surah Ghafir 40:7)

Arabic:
ٱلَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ ٱلْعَرْشَ وَمَنۡ حَوْلَهُۥ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ
Transliteration:
Al-ladhīna yaḥmilūna al-‘Arsha waman ḥawlahu yusabbihūna biḥamdi rabbihim wa yu’minūna bihi wa yastaġfirūna liman fī al-arḍ.

This verse highlights that these angels are constantly in a state of worship, glorifying Allah and interceding for the believers.

The Role of Angels in Reward and Punishment

 

Angels also play a vital role in administering the rewards and punishments in the Afterlife. Angels will record the deeds of every person, both good and bad, and these deeds will determine their ultimate fate in the Hereafter.

Quranic Reference:

“Indeed, there are guardians over you, noble and recording; they know whatever you do.”
(Surah At-Takwir 81:10-12)

Arabic:
إِنَّ عَلَيْهِمْ حَافِظِينَ ۝ كِرَامًۭا كَاتِبِينَ ۝ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ
Transliteration:
Inna ‘alayhīhim ḥāfiẓīn kirāman kātibīn, ya‘lamūna mā taf‘alūn.

This verse highlights the role of angels in recording human deeds, which are crucial for determining the final outcome in the afterlife.

Conclusion

 

In conclusion, the role of angels in the afterlife is a profound and essential aspect of Islamic teachings, emphasizing divine justice and the meticulous nature of the eternal journey. These heavenly beings, from Azrael, the Angel of Death, to Munkar and Nakīr, who question the soul in the grave, illustrate the structured and purposeful nature of the afterlife. Their roles in guiding, recording deeds, and administering rewards or punishments highlight the seriousness of our actions in this world and their inevitable consequences in the next.

The angels are not only agents of justice but also of mercy, interceding on behalf of the believers and seeking forgiveness for them. The comprehensive duties of these angels remind us of the unseen realities of the afterlife, reinforcing the importance of living with faith, righteousness, and mindfulness of the Divine. They serve as a reminder that no action goes unnoticed and that each soul will face the truth of its deeds on the Day of Judgment.

May this understanding of the roles of angels in the afterlife inspire us to lead lives that align with Allah’s commands, seek His mercy, and prepare for the final destination with sincerity and faith. Ameen.

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