Revealed Books and Angels
The Qurʾān alone is preserved — and angels are witnesses with us
Core Claim
Muslims affirm the original revealed books (Tawrāh, Zabūr, Injīl, and the Qurʾān which alone is preserved uncorrupted) and the angels — pure servants created to obey, neither male nor female, who never disobey
Why It Matters
The unseen (al-ghayb) is not a minor category of belief. Angels are with us constantly, recording words. The preserved Qurʾān is the last direct link to what Allah revealed. Understanding who the angels are — and aren't — also protects us from folk myths dressed up as religion
Lesson
The revealed books were sent to the prophets — many of them. The most known:
- The Tawrāh — revealed to Mūsā ʿalayhi al-salām. - The Zabūr — revealed to Dāwūd ʿalayhi al-salām. - The Injīl — revealed to ʿĪsā ʿalayhi al-salām. - The Qurʾān — revealed to Muḥammad ﷺ.
All revealed books brought Islam. But the Tawrāh and Injīl were altered. "They distort the word from its proper placement" (Qurʾān 4:46). The Qurʾān alone is preserved uncorrupted. "Indeed, We have sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We are its Guardian" (Qurʾān 15:9). A Muslim affirms the original Tawrāh and Injīl — as they were sent down — not the altered versions circulating today.
The angels are honored servants. "They do not disobey Allah in what He commands them, and they do what they are commanded" (Qurʾān 66:6). Their qualities:
- They don't eat, drink, or sleep. - They are neither male nor female. "Those who do not believe in the Hereafter give the angels female names" (Qurʾān 53:27). Calling angels female is kufr. - They can take the shape of men when conveying messages — as Jibrīl did when he appeared as a man. - They do not disobey, unlike humans and jinn.
Iblīs is not an angel. He lived among them but belongs to the jinn. "He was of the jinn and departed from the command of his Lord" (Qurʾān 18:50). He disbelieved by objecting to Allah's command. Saying Iblīs is still a believer is kufr.
Proper conduct toward angels: mocking or insulting angels is kufr. Among them is ʿIzrāʾīl (the Angel of Death) — mocking him exits Islam. The angels Raqīb and ʿAtīd record everything a person says. "Not a word does he utter without an observer ready by him" (Qurʾān 50:18).
Key Points
- 1
The Qurʾān is the only revealed book preserved without alteration
- 2
Angels are neither male nor female — calling them female is kufr
- 3
Iblīs is from the jinn, not the angels
- 4
Mocking angels is kufr — including the Angel of Death
- 5
The angels Raqīb and ʿAtīd record every word a person says
Evidence
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ
Indeed, We have sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We are its Guardian
Quran 15:9
لَّا يَعْصُونَ اللهَ مَا أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ
They do not disobey Allah in what He commands them, and they do what they are commanded
Quran 66:6
كَانَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِ
He was of the jinn and departed from the command of his Lord
Quran 18:50
Jibrīl came in the form of a man
Sahih Muslim 8(sahih)
Glossary
جبريل
Jibrīl
Gabriel; the carrier of revelation, the greatest and most honored of angels
ميكائيل
Mīkāʾīl
Michael; the angel of rain and provision
إسرافيل
Isrāfīl
The angel of the Trumpet, who will blow it on the Day of Resurrection
عزرائيل / ملك الموت
ʿIzrāʾīl / malak al-mawt
The Angel of Death; entrusted with taking souls — mocking him is kufr
رقيب وعتيد
Raqīb wa-ʿAtīd
The two recording angels; they register everything a person utters, one on each side
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