The Angel of Death
Azrael, also referred to as Izail, is one of the four archangels in the Islamic religion. Azrael is the Angel of Death, who is constantly writing in a big book and constantly erasing what he writes: “What he writes is the birth of man; what he erases is the name of the man at death.” He keeps track of people’s names and then removes them when they pass away. Since each individual dies and a century is brief compared to the history of the universe, the book is one of the living, so it seems as though Azrael is constantly adding and deleting names.
Azrael is said to be a huge angel, so big that one foot rests in the fourth or seventh heaven and the other on the bridge connecting heaven and hell. Christians believe that all angels have delicate, human-like features and lovely wings. That isn’t always the case. Azrael is enormous, yet he also has four faces and 4,000 wings. His entire body is made up of tongues and eyes. There are exactly as many eyes and tongues as there are individuals on Earth.
Azrael has a personality that can surprise people as well. He is a very patient creature who is soft-spoken and precise in his profession. Because he was so unassuming, it is stated that many of the other angels didn’t get to know him very well. Azrael is said to have been exceedingly compassionate and nice to others. He shows kindness to people, even when he kills them.
The names of the damned are circled and blacked out on Azrael’s list. The blessed people’s names are encircled in light. On the day of death, a name from a tree bearing the person’s name falls from the tree beneath God’s throne. Azrael must separate the person’s soul from their body after 40 days. He will then go to heaven or hell with that soul. Azrael will also die once all of the humans have perished.
Like many of us, the angel Azrael experiences life and death. When his task is finished and everyone has earned their place in heaven or hell, God will command him to pass away. Azrael is one of the most honorable angels, despite having a morbid vocation. He is one of a group of seven Archangels overall.
