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Fatwa CenterThe real names of two angels
Question
I heard that Israfeel and Izraeel were not the real names of the two angels. Can you clarify please?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
Israfeel is the real name of an angel as proved in the Hadith that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) used to recite the following supplication when he started his night prayer (‘O Allah, Lord of Jibraa’eel, Meekaa’eel and Israafeel (great angels), Creator of the heavens and the Earth, Knower of the seen and the unseen, You are the arbitrator between Your servants in that which they have disputed. Guide me to the truth by Your leave, in that which they have differed, for verily You guide whom You will to a straight path.’)
As for the name Izraaeel, it is a known name of the angel of death among people; the source of this name is the narrations of the People of the Book.
Imam al-Munawi said: ‘I did not find this name in Qur'an or Sunnah.’
Imam Ibn Katheer said: ‘The name of the death angel is not mentioned in Qur'an or Sunnah, but it is reported in some Aathar (sayings of good ancestors).'
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