Islamic Angelology and Demonology
Islamic theology includes an elaborate system of angels (malaikah) and jinn—supernatural beings that play crucial roles in Muslim cosmology. Belief in angels is one of the six pillars of Islamic faith; rejecting their existence means rejecting Islam. But when we examine Islamic teachings about these beings, we find beliefs borrowed from pre-Islamic Arabian mythology mixed with distorted biblical concepts.
Angels in Islam
Muslims believe angels are created from light, have no free will, and always obey Allah perfectly. Key angels include:
Jibreel (Gabriel): The angel who allegedly revealed the Quran to Muhammad. He supposedly appeared to Muhammad in various forms, sometimes as a man, sometimes showing his true form with 600 wings.
Mikail (Michael): Controls weather and provides sustenance.
Israfil: Will blow the trumpet to signal the Day of Judgment.
Azrael (Malak al-Maut): The angel of death who takes souls.
Munkar and Nakir: Angels who question the dead in their graves about their faith, then either comfort or torture them based on their answers.
Kiraman Katibin: Two angels assigned to each person to record all their good and bad deeds.
According to Islamic teaching, angels are everywhere, constantly recording, judging, and intervening in human affairs. This creates a cosmology of perpetual surveillance.
The Jinn: Pre-Islamic Arabian Mythology
The Quran extensively discusses jinn—supernatural beings created from "smokeless fire":
"And the jinn We created before from scorching fire." — Quran 15:27
"And He created the jinn from a smokeless flame of fire." — Quran 55:15
Unlike angels, jinn have free will. They can be Muslim or non-Muslim, good or evil. They live in a parallel world, have societies, marry, reproduce, and will be judged on the Day of Judgment.
The belief in jinn was widespread in pre-Islamic Arabia. Arabs attributed unexplained phenomena—madness, disease, possession—to jinn activity. Rather than correcting this superstition, Muhammad incorporated it into Islamic theology, even claiming jinn came to hear him recite the Quran and some converted to Islam (Quran 72:1-15).
Iblis: Satan as a Jinn?
Islamic theology has a confused account of Satan (Iblis). The Quran describes Iblis refusing to prostrate to Adam:
"And [mention] when We said to the angels, 'Prostrate before Adam'; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He was of the jinn and departed from the command of his Lord." — Quran 18:50
This creates a problem: if Iblis was among the angels but the verse says "he was of the jinn," was he an angel or a jinn? Islamic scholars debate this. Some say he was an angel who became a jinn through disobedience. Others say he was always a jinn but was elevated among angels. The Quran never clarifies.
This confusion likely stems from Muhammad misunderstanding biblical accounts of Satan's fall, mixing it with Arabian jinn mythology.
The Torture of the Grave
One of Islam's most disturbing teachings involves angels torturing people in their graves. According to hadith, immediately after burial, two angels (Munkar and Nakir) come to question the dead:
"When the deceased is placed in his grave, two black and blue angels come to him. One is called Munkar and the other Nakir. They ask him: 'What did you used to say about this man?' If he was a believer he will say: 'He is the slave of Allah and His Messenger; I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.' They will say: 'We knew that you would say that.' Then his grave will be widened for him to a depth of seventy cubits and it will be illuminated for him..." — Sunan al-Tirmidhi 1071
But if the person gives wrong answers:
"...His grave will be made narrow for him and his ribs will be made to press together." — Sahih al-Bukhari 1374
Muslims believe the grave literally squeezes and crushes the body while angels beat the person with iron hammers. This torture continues until the Day of Judgment—potentially thousands of years of torment in the grave.
This teaching has no biblical basis. It appears to be Muhammad's invention, perhaps influenced by pre-Islamic Arabian beliefs about the grave.
Jinn Possession and Exorcism
Islam teaches that jinn can possess humans, causing mental illness, physical ailments, and behavioral problems. Muhammad reportedly performed exorcisms:
"A woman came to the Prophet with her son, who was insane and epileptic. She said: 'O Messenger of Allah, this son of mine has been touched (possessed).'" — Musnad Ahmad
Islamic exorcists (raqi) still practice today, often using Quranic recitation to expel jinn. This medicalized approach to spiritual warfare treats mental illness as demonic possession, potentially preventing proper medical treatment.
Biblical Contrast
The Bible presents a clearer, less superstitious view of the spiritual realm:
Angels: The Bible describes angels as God's messengers and servants, but without the elaborate Islamic mythology. Angels worship God, deliver messages, and serve believers (Hebrews 1:14), but there's no teaching about angels torturing people in graves or recording every deed.
Demons: The Bible teaches demons are fallen angels who rebelled against God under Satan's leadership (Revelation 12:7-9, Jude 6). There's no concept of "jinn" as a separate created order. Demons are evil spirits who oppose God and deceive humanity, but believers have authority over them through Christ (Luke 10:19, James 4:7).
Satan: The Bible clearly identifies Satan as a fallen angel (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:12-17, Luke 10:18). He was created perfect, became proud, rebelled, and was cast down. There's no confusion about whether he was an angel or a jinn—he was and is a fallen angel.
After death: The Bible teaches believers immediately enter God's presence (2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:23), while unbelievers enter Hades to await judgment (Luke 16:19-31). There is no torture of the grave, no questioning by angels, no thousands of years of torment in the tomb.
"And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people." — Hebrews 9:27-28
Questions to Consider
- Why does Islamic angelology include so much pre-Islamic Arabian mythology?
- If angels have no free will and always obey Allah, how could Iblis (if he was an angel) disobey?
- Why doesn't the Quran clarify whether Iblis was an angel or a jinn?
- Is the teaching about grave torture designed to control through fear?
- Why would a merciful God torture people in their graves for centuries before their final judgment?
- Doesn't treating mental illness as jinn possession prevent proper medical treatment?
- Why did Muhammad incorporate Arabian superstitions about jinn rather than correcting them?
Conclusion
Islamic teachings about angels and jinn reveal a cosmology heavily influenced by pre-Islamic Arabian mythology. Rather than correcting superstitious beliefs about jinn, Muhammad incorporated them into Islam. The elaborate system of angels constantly surveilling and recording deeds creates a theology of fear and control. The doctrine of grave torture adds another layer of terror, threatening Muslims with centuries of torment before their final judgment.
The biblical view, by contrast, presents a clearer spiritual reality without the superstitious elements. Angels serve God and minister to believers. Demons are fallen angels who oppose God but over whom believers have authority through Christ. After death, believers immediately enter God's presence—no grave torture, no angelic interrogation, no thousands of years of suffering in the tomb.
The contrast highlights Islam's roots in 7th-century Arabian culture, incorporating pre-Islamic beliefs rather than providing divine correction of human superstition.
Related articles: The 99 Names of Allah, The Day of Judgment