There are a lot of myths about the Angel of Death and this scholar shares his research
Professor Ali A Olomi is a noted Muslim scholar who teaches at an American university. His areas of specialization are the Middle East and Islam. He is pretty famous on Twitter for the amazing threads he makes on various topics. In the past, he has made threads about topics ranging from Angels to different kinds of Jinns are more. Now Ali Olomi has tackled the topic of the Angel of Death, and honestly, I never knew so much about him.
The Angel of Death is a central figure in Muslim faith, like most other Abrahamic religions
His name, while never mentioned in the Quran, is Angel Azra’il. He is described as having four wings and countless eyes. And as we dive deeper, we see that there are many descriptions of him.
While referenced in the Qur’an directly, he is not named. Muslims know him as Azra’il and in eschatological works he is treated as a power second only to God himself.
He’s described as having four wings and countless eyes.
— Ali A Olomi (@aaolomi) March 25, 2020
It is understood that the Angel of Death has been created by Allah as huge in size, but how much?
So grand is his might that when God showed him to the other angels without veils, they all collapsed at the mere sight of him… Now imagine humans having to face him.
He is so vast that the whole of the world is said to be a like a coin or bowl in his hands.
The world rests between his feet.
— Ali A Olomi (@aaolomi) March 25, 2020
So mighty is he that when God first created him, He covered him in thousands of veils. Then he created and gathered the other angels and told them to look upon the figure.
God cast off the veils and the angels beheld Azrai’l. They promptly collapsed
— Ali A Olomi (@aaolomi) March 25, 2020
One tradition claims that he has four faces and each one is especially dedicated to take the soul of either a Prophet, a human, a Jinn or a beast
Minor traditions even claim he carries a spear with poisonous attributes.
Another tradition says he has four faces, each responsible for taking the souls of prophets, humans, jinn, and beasts.
— Ali A Olomi (@aaolomi) March 25, 2020
It is said that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) met him. According to one description, he sits under a mighty tree with a huge book or tablet which has everyone’s names written within it.
He is said to reside in either the 2nd, 4th, or 7th heaven and is one of the angels Muhammad meets on his Night Journey.
In one description, he sits under a mighty tree with a great Book or Tablet in his hands upon which everyone’s name is written.
— Ali A Olomi (@aaolomi) March 25, 2020
Hazrat Azra’il is notified as the time of death of every human approaches by a falling leaf on the tree
The tree has names of all mortal beings written upon it, and 40 days before the beings death, their leaf will fall. When this happens, the ink will fall on the angel’s tablet. The color of the ink will signify if the person will be reaped peacefully or painfully.
Black or green ink will signify that the person was wretched and will be reaped painfully. If the ink is white, they will be reaped peacefully. The ink color is what decides whether Nazri’at or Nashitat will reap the soul; each a helper of Hazra Azra’il with a role of peaceful or painful reaping.
All his eyes are affixed to the tree though with the names of all mortals.
Forty days before a person’s allotted time their leaf will fall signaling the Angel of Death. He then turns his eyes upon the Book as ink from the Throne of God drops on to it.
— Ali A Olomi (@aaolomi) March 25, 2020
If the ink is black or green then the person is a wretch, if it is white, they are righteous.
This determines which of his helper angels he sends, those who take souls gently or by force.
These are the Nazi'at and Nashitat
— Ali A Olomi (@aaolomi) March 25, 2020
He apparently, appeared without a veil in front of humans earlier and reaped souls peacefully but humans were arrogant and hence God placed disease as a veil between humans and death.
In the early times, he used to appear before humanity visibly and take souls gently. But humanity was arrogant and so God placed disease between Death and humanity as a veil to conceal Death.
— Ali A Olomi (@aaolomi) March 25, 2020
Olomi narrates an incident where Hazrat Musa (AS) slapped the Angel of Death and refused to die after which the Angel came silently in secret
In another interesting tale, it is said when Death appeared before Moses, the prophet slapped him and refused to die
And so now Azrai'l comes like a shadow in the night.
— Ali A Olomi (@aaolomi) March 25, 2020
It is also said, the Angel Azra’il himself only comes to reap Prophets while every other mortal being is reaped by his helpers. He last reaped the soul of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) after getting his permission from his first.
It is said that Azrai’l himself only comes for the prophets while his helpers tend to humans, jinn, and beast.
He even came to collect the Prophet Muhammad, asking permission first. A reminder that all humans are mortal no matter their station.
— Ali A Olomi (@aaolomi) March 25, 2020
According to tradition, Hazrat Azra’il is a blessing and mercy, and is only painful for the wicked
He greets righteous with a salam and ends their suffering.
He takes the soul from the mouth and eyes, bringing ease to the pangs of life and suffering.
— Ali A Olomi (@aaolomi) March 25, 2020
The inevitability of death and your soul being reaped is described with the stories narrated below:
The inevitably of death is described in two famous stories:
One day Azra’il was visiting the court of King Solomon where he saw a youth. He stared hard at the youth, causing the young man to quiver in terror.
— Ali A Olomi (@aaolomi) March 25, 2020
A few minutes later he called Azrai’l over. Oh Angel of Death why did you stare at my servant so.
Azra’il replied, I was surprised to see him for I’m suppose to take his soul in India shortly and yet here he was!
— Ali A Olomi (@aaolomi) March 25, 2020
The entire thread is enthralling and gives everyone a better idea of what the elusive Angel of Death is like – someone we will all encounter one day
Much of the lore about Azra'il is drawn from the broader traditions of Late Antiquity, situating Islam within a particular historical and cultural milieu.
In particular Jewish and Biblical tales from Qisas and Isra'iliyyat become important sources.
— Ali A Olomi (@aaolomi) March 25, 2020
What do you think of this thread? Let us know in the comments below.
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