The second article of faith is belief in the angels (malāʾikah). They are honoured creatures made by Allah from light, who never disobey Him and carry out the tasks He gives them. We cannot see them, yet we believe in them because Allah and His Messenger ﷺ told us about them.
Why this matters Knowing about the angels helps us feel closer to the unseen world Allah created. It reminds us that Allah's commands are always carried out, that our deeds are being recorded, and that we are never truly alone.
What are the angels?
Angels are made of light. They do not eat, sleep, or grow tired, and they have no free will to disobey. They constantly worship Allah and obey His every command.
- They are many in number, more than we can count.
- They are honoured servants who never tire of praising Allah.
- We usually cannot see them, though Allah can allow them to be seen.
Some angels and their roles
Certain angels have special duties that Allah has told us about:
| Angel | Duty |
|---|---|
| Jibrīl (Gabriel) | Brings Allah's revelation to the prophets |
| Mīkāʾīl (Michael) | Associated with provision such as rain and sustenance |
| Isrāfīl | Will blow the trumpet on the Last Day |
The recording angels
Two angels are with every person, writing down our good and bad deeds (see Sūrah Qāf, 50:17–18). This reminds us to speak kindly and act well, knowing our deeds are never lost and that Allah's record is perfectly just.
What belief in angels teaches us
- To be careful and good, because our actions are recorded.
- To feel comforted, knowing Allah's servants carry out His mercy and care.
- To trust the message brought by Jibrīl to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Common exam mistake: mixing up which angel does which task — for example, giving Jibrīl's role (bringing revelation) to Mīkāʾīl (associated with provision) or vice versa.
Exam technique: name a specific angel together with their specific duty as a pair — e.g. “Jibrīl brings revelation to the prophets” — rather than only listing angel names, since paired detail earns fuller marks.