Angels Afterlife and Predestination
Angels (Malaikah), Afterlife (Akhirah) and Predestination (Al-Qadr)
These three beliefs are essential to the Islamic faith — they shape how Muslims understand the world, death and their purpose in life.
Angels (Malaikah)
Angels are spiritual beings created by Allah from light. They have no free will — they carry out Allah's commands perfectly.
| Angel | Role |
|---|---|
| Jibril (Gabriel) | The most important angel; revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad |
| Mikail (Michael) | Provides nourishment and sustenance; controls nature and weather |
| Izra'il | The Angel of Death; takes souls at the moment of death |
| Israfil | Will blow the trumpet on the Day of Judgement |
| Kiraman Katibin | Two recording angels assigned to every person — one records good deeds, the other records bad deeds |
| Munkar and Nakir | Question the dead in the grave about their faith |
Key Points About Angels
- Angels are invisible to humans (normally) — Jibril appeared to Muhammad in human form
- They have no free will — unlike humans and jinn, they cannot disobey Allah
- Belief in angels is a requirement of faith — denying them is denying the Qur'an
- Surah 2:285 — "The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and so have the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers"
The Afterlife (Akhirah)
Muslims believe life on earth is a test and that there will be a Day of Judgement (Yawm al-Din) when all humans are judged.
The Process After Death
1. Barzakh — the state between death and judgement; the soul waits in the grave
2. Questioning in the grave — Munkar and Nakir ask about faith ("Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your prophet?")
3. The Day of Judgement — Israfil blows the trumpet; all people are resurrected and gathered before Allah
4. The Scales — good and bad deeds are weighed on scales of justice
5. The Bridge (As-Sirat) — a bridge over hell; the righteous cross safely, the sinful fall
6. Jannah (Paradise) — gardens of eternal bliss and closeness to Allah
7. Jahannam (Hell) — punishment for those who rejected Allah or lived sinfully
Why the Afterlife Matters
- It gives life purpose — every action has eternal consequences
- It motivates good behaviour — Muslims strive to accumulate good deeds
- It provides justice — wrongs not punished in this life will be addressed
- It offers comfort — suffering in this world is temporary
- Surah 3:185 — "Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your full compensation on the Day of Resurrection"
Predestination (Al-Qadr)
Al-Qadr means Allah's divine decree — the belief that Allah has already determined everything that will happen.
Sunni View
- Allah knows and has predetermined everything — nothing happens without his will
- However, humans still have free will to choose their actions — they are responsible for their choices
- This is a paradox — but Muslims accept it as part of Allah's mystery
- Al-Qadr is one of the Six Articles of Faith
Shi'a View
- Shi'a Muslims emphasise Adalah (divine justice) — Allah is perfectly just
- If Allah predetermined everything, including sin, it would be unjust to punish people for it
- Therefore, Shi'a Muslims place greater emphasis on human free will and responsibility
Exam Tips
- Know the key angels and their roles — this is a common short-answer question
- Understand the stages of the afterlife in order — Barzakh → Judgement → Jannah or Jahannam
- For AO2: Does predestination remove moral responsibility? If Allah already knows who goes to hell, is that fair?
- Compare Sunni and Shi'a views on predestination — this shows depth of knowledge