Islam Question and Answer - We cannot be certain that the name of the Angel of Death is Azraa’eel

Sun 20/11/1430 - 8/11/2009

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Basic Tenets of Faith » Belief » Belief in the Angels

We cannot be certain that the name of the Angel of Death is Azraa’eel

Is there any evidence to show that the name of the Angel of Death is Azraa’eel?.

Praise be to Allaah.

It is widely assumed that the name of the Angel of Death is Azraa’eel, but there is nothing in the Qur’aan or saheeh Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to indicate that this is his name. Rather this is narrated in some reports which may be from among the Israa’eeliyyaat (reports from Jewish sources).

Based on this, we cannot be certain whether this is his name or not. So we cannot affirm that the name of the Angel of Death is Azraa’eel, nor can we deny it. Rather we should refer this matter to Allaah and call him as Allaah calls him, the ‘Angel of Death”. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say: The angel of death, who is set over you, will take your souls. Then you shall be brought to your Lord”

[al-Sajdah 32:11]

But the name of the Angel of Death is not given in the Qur’aan or in the saheeh ahaadeeth. His name is mentioned in some reports as Azraa’eel, but Allaah knows best.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say: The angel of death, who is set over you, will take your souls. Then you shall be brought to your Lord”

[al-Sajdah 32:11]

Al-Sindi said: There is no marfoo’ hadeeth [one that can be traced back to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)] which mentions his name.

Al-Manaawi said in Fayd al-Qadeer (3/32), after stating that the Angel of Death is known by the name ‘Azraa’eel: I have never seen anyreport giving his name as such.

Shaykh al-Albaani said in his comment on the words of al-Tahhaawi, “We believe in the Angel of Death who is appointed to take the souls of all creatures”:

This (“the Angel of Death”) is what he is called in the Qur’aan. With regard to the name ‘Azraa’eel which is widely known among the people, there is no basis for this, rather it comes from the Israa’eeliyyaat.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:

“The Angel of Death” is well known by the name ‘Azraa’eel, but this is not correct, rather this was narrated from Jewish sources. So we should not believe in this name, and we should call the one who is appointed over death “the Angel of Death,” as Allaah called him in the verse (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say: The angel of death, who is set over you, will take your souls. Then you shall be brought to your Lord”

[al-Sajdah 32:11]

Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 3/161

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A