Azrael is often identified with the Archangel of Death in some traditions and folklore but
not in any religious texts. The name is sometimes attributed to the angel of retribution in
Islamic theology and Sikhism but the name Azrael is not actually used in the Qur'an
nor considered as a religious personification. The name Azrael is an English form of the
Arabic name ʿIzrāʾīl or Azra'eil, the name traditionally attributed to the angel
of death in some sects of Islam and Sikhism, as well as some Hebrew lore. The Qur'an never
uses this name, rather referring to Malak al-Maut. Also spelled Izrail, Azrin, Izrael,
Azriel, Azrail, Ezraeil, Azraille, Azryel, Ozryel, or Azraa-eel, the Chambers English
dictionary uses the spelling Azrael. The name literally means One Whom God Helps, in an
adaptive form of Hebrew.
Background Depending on the outlook and precepts of various
religions in which he is a figure, Azrael may be portrayed as residing in the Third
Heaven. In one of his forms, he has four faces and four thousand wings, and his whole body
consists of eyes and tongues, the number of which corresponds to the number of people
inhabiting the Earth. He will be the last to die, recording and erasing constantly in
a large book the names of men at birth and death, respectively. He will receive the souls
in the graves In Judaism
In Jewish mysticism, he is commonly referred to as "Azriel," not "Azrael." The Zohar, presents
a positive depiction of Azriel. The Zohar says that Azriel receives the prayers of faithful
people when they reach heaven, and also commands legions of heavenly angels. Accordingly, Azriel
is associated with the South and is considered to be a high-ranking commander of God's angels.
In Christianity There is no reference to Azrael in the Catholic
Bible, and he is not considered a canonical character within Christianity. There is, however,
a story in 2 Esdras which is part of the Apocrypha. 2 Esdras has the story of a scribe and judge
named Ezra, also sometimes written "Azra" in different languages. Azra was visited by
the Archangel Uriel and given a list of laws and punishments he was to adhere to and enforce
as judge over his people. Azra was later recorded in the Apocrypha as having entered Heaven
"without tasting death's taint". Depending on various religious views, it could be taken
as Ezra ascending to angelic status. This would add the suffix "el" to his name, which
denotes a heavenly being. Hence, it would be Ezrael/Azrael. This would put him more
in accordance to an angel of punishment, akin to the views of the Jean Paul Valley character.
Later books also state a scribe named Salathiel, who was quoted as saying, "I, Salathiel, who
is also Ezra". Again, depending on certain views of Christian spirituality, this could
be seen as angelic influence from Ezrael/Azrael on Salathiel, though this view of spirituality
is neither confirmed nor denied by the Catholic Church.
While 2 Esdras is not considered canonical by most Christian views, several quotes from
the book are used for the Requiem Anternam, showing that it still has some relevance to
traditional Christian view points. A story from Folk-lore of the Holy Land: Moslem,
Christian and Jewish by J. E. Hanauer tells of a soldier with a gambling addiction avoiding
Azrael. Because the soldier goes to Jesus and asks for help, then later must see Jesus
and repent to be allowed back in Heaven, this story can be seen as a Christian account of
Azrael. However, this story does not specify whether Azrael is an angel of death, or an
angel of punishment. In Islam
In some cultures and sects, Azrael is the name referring to the Angel of Death by some
Arabic speakers. The name is mentioned in a few Muslim books although some Muslims argue
that it has no basis of reference. Along with Jibrīl, Mīkhā'īl, Isrāfīl and other
angels, the Angel of Death is believed by Muslims to be one of the archangels. The Qur'an
states that the angel of death takes the soul of every person and returns it to God. However,
the Qur'an makes it clear that only God knows when and where each person will be taken by
death,. Several Muslim traditions recount meetings between the Angel of Death and the
prophets, the most famous being a conversation between the Angel of Death and Moses. He watches
over the dying, separates the soul from the body, and receives the spirits of the dead
in Muslim belief. Rather than merely representing death personified, the Angel of Death is usually
described in Islamic sources as subordinate to the will of God "with the most profound
reverence." However, there is no reference within the Qur'an or any Islamic teachings
giving the angel of death the name of Azrael. Some have also disputed the usage of the name
Azrael as it is not used in the Qur'an itself. However, the same can be said about many Prophets
and angels who are also not mentioned by name in the Qur'an.
Riffian men of Morocco had the custom of shaving the head but leaving a single lock of hair
on either the crown, left, or right side of the head, so that the angel Azrael is able
"to pull them up to heaven on the Last Day." See also
Death Islamic view of angels
Punishment of the Grave Sariel
Samael Thanatos, the personification of Death in
Greek mythology References
^ a b Davidson, Gustav, A Dictionary of Angels, Including The Fallen Angels, Entry: Azrael,
pp. 64, 65, Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 66-19757, ISBN 9780029070505
^ Shri Guru Granth Sahib, Section 07 - Raag Gauree - Part 165, "Azraa-eel, the Angel of
Death, shall crush them like sesame seeds in the oil-press."
^ Davidson, Gustav, A Dictionary of Angels, Including The Fallen Angels, Entry: Third
Heaven, p. 288, Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 66-19757, ISBN 9780029070505
^ Hastings, James, Selbie, John A., Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics Part 3, Kessinger Publishing,
2003, ISBN 0-7661-3671-X ^ a b Historical Dictionary of Prophets in
Islam and Judaism, Brannon M. Wheeler, Azrael, Scarecrow Press, ISBN 9780810843059
^ Qur'an 32:11 ^ Qur'an 31:34
^ Hanauer, J.E., Folk-lore of the Holy Land: Muslim, Christian and Jewish, Chapter V: The
Angel of Death, at sacred-texts.com ^ El Maghreg: 1200 Miles' Ride Through Morocco,
Hugh Edward Millington Stutfield pppp External links