Comparisons between Common Angels in Christianity and Islam, Religion 1 HI IC UMY 09

Definition of Angel in Christianity

Mainly Christianity defines angel as the messenger of God or a manifestation of God himself (the beginning of trinity, Gabriel as the Holy Spirit). Angels are winged and looks like human being. But, bible doesn’t tell clearly about the shape of angel.
Here how The Holy Bible defines the angels. Angel means messenger. Angels are created (Psalm 148:2,5; Col. 1:16), non-human, spirit beings (Heb. 1:14). They are immortal (Luke 20:36), innumerable (Heb. 12:22), invisible (Num. 22:22-31), sexless (Matt. 22:30), and do the will of God (Psalm 103:20). These angels have a ministry to believers. They guide (Gen. 24:7, 40), protect (Psalm 34:7), and comfort (Acts 27:2, 24).

Forms of Angels throughout history of Christianity

Christianity, the existence of angels has been changed and inflected in many different tones and shapes throughout history of Christian. In the second century, Angels used to be viewed in human form. In this century, the imagination of a winged angel never existed. This is one of the forms of angels which are not so popular nowadays in Christian world. This view existed until the late third century.
In the forth century, in Constantine’s reign, the winged angels were to be boosted. It was highly influenced by Constantine’s belief in paganism. Throughout his life, Constantine was a pagan, and in his death he was baptized. The form of angels from this century is still very famous until our time being. Many people in the world would believe that angels are like human with wings. Even the non-Christian belief would agree with this form. Christians in the fifth century had added some new comers to this imagination. Angels together with Virgin Mary were in one assembly of God or we can view as attendants of God. Jesus himself, as to be believed by the Christians as “Son of God”, he was also viewed as a man with two wings in certain Christians sects. We still can see this imagination in many churches. These two views of angels in Christianity are very famous until now.

Distribution of Angels’ Jobs

The most popular and familiar in our ears is angel Gabriel. His job is to convey the revelation from God to the prophets. Although in hundreds of years Christians had been considering Gabriel as the holy spirit, a part of trinity, they often still say that Gabriel is a mere messenger of God. Gabriel delivered Torah from God to Moses, Psalm to Solomon, Bible to Jesus and a scripture for Ahmet (Book of Barnabas). (Matt 1:20 to Joseph, 4:11 to Jesus, Luke 1:26 to Mary, Acts 12:7 to Peter)
Angel of Death, this angel is the most feared angel among all angels. In Jewish tail, they called his “Izrail” and this name is well known in Islamic world. Muslims take it as qoshosh al israiliah (Tails of People of Israel). Michael or Mikaal or Mika’il is an angel who distributes blessings from God for the entire universe. This angel would set the rain in certain places according to God’s will. This angel is very much beloved by many people in the world. And there are many other names of angels with their job’s distribution.


Angel in Islam

Belief in all of angels is a fundamental part of faith in Islam, which includes belief in One God (Allah), the Angels, the Prophets, the revealed books, the Day of Judgment, and Divine decree. In Islam angels have many different job distributions as the Christians have. There are not much different between concept of Angel in Islam and bible (we cannot include the man’s opinion of angels).

Definition of Angel in Islam

Angel or Malak (Arabic: messenger). So angels are messengers and slaves of God within perfect obedience.

Characteristics of Angel in Islam

1. They are not God’s associates, running different districts of the universe
2. They are not objects to be worshipped or prayed to as they do not deliver our prayer to God
3. They all submit to God and carry out His commands

Forms of Angel

There is no clear verse of the Qur’an or Muhammad’s guidance which tells about forms of angel. Muhammad did tell about the people of knowledge who gathered and angels opened their wings as a blessing from Allah.

Distribution of Angels’ Jobs• Jibreel (Gabriel) - He is Allah's messenger to the prophets, sometimes taking the form of a man.
• Mika'el (Michael) -He is charged with providing rain and sustenance for all creatures.
• Israfil (Raphael) - He's charged with blowing the trumpet on the Day of Judgment.
• Malak al-Maut (The Angel of Death) - Malak al-Maut is Arabic for "The Angel of Death." He and his helpers are responsible for taking souls at their predestined times.
• Malik (Keeper of Hell) - The Qur'an teaches that 19 angels are assigned to guard the Hell fire. Among them, Malik has highest rank.
• Ridwan (Keeper of Paradise) - Ridwan stands guard over Heaven. By Allah's permission, he and other angels will welcome believers into Paradise.
• Munkar and Nakeer (Questioners of the Grave) - After death, these two angels question souls in the grave about their faith and their deeds.
• Harut and Marut (Angels of Babylon)- The Qur'an relates an account of two angels named Harut and Marut who were sent to the people of Babylon to test their faith by teaching them magic.