In Islamic angelology, Malak al-Mawt is one of the four archangels (Muqarrabūn) situated near the Throne. He alone succeeded in extracting earth from the world to form Adam. Endowed with countless wings, eyes, and tongues corresponding to humanity, he observes the falling leaves from the celestial Tree of Life beneath the Throne, severing mortal souls at their divinely preordained instant (ajal).
“Quran 32:11 designates the entity strictly as 'Malak al-Mawt' (the Angel of Death), while the specific name 'Izra'il is attested in classical Hadith commentaries, Ibn Kathir, and Al-Suyuti's angelological treatises.”
Domains of Authority
Sphere of Operation
What does this entity do?
Parts each soul from its body at the divinely fixed instant.
Severs spirit from body precisely at its appointed hour.
Fixes each soul's appointed hour of parting from the body.
Guides the dying across the threshold between worlds, without malice.
Iconography & Implements
Objects, vestments, and marks borne in Islamic tradition — and what each one signifies.
Register of lifespans consulted beneath the Throne at each severing.
Innumerable pinions of the death-angel, one for every soul watched.
Leaves of the boundary lote-tree falling as each lifespan ends.
Countless eyes corresponding to humanity, watching each appointed hour.
