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Artistic depiction of Azrael, the Angel of Death, by Evelyn De Morgan.

Azrael is the Archangel of Death in some traditions. He is also the angel of retribution in Islamic theology and Sikhism. It is an English form of the Arabic name ʿIzrāʾīl (عزرائيل) or Azra'eil (عزرایل), the name traditionally attributed to the angel of death in some sects of Islam and Sikhism, as well as some Hebrew lore.^[1][2] The Qur'an never uses this name, rather referring to Malak al-Maut (which translates directly as angel of death). Also spelt Izrail, Azrin, Izrael, Azriel, Azrail, Ezraeil, Azraille, Azryel, Ozryel, or Azraa-eel, the Chambers English dictionary uses the spelling Azrael. The name literally means Whom God Helps,^[1] in an adapted form of Hebrew.

Background [edit]

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.^[3] 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.^[4]

In Judaism [edit]

In Jewish mysticism, he is commonly referred to as "Azriel," not "Azrael." The Zohar (a holy book of the Jewish mystical tradition of Kabbalah), 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. (Zohar 2:202b)

In Christianity [edit]

There is no reference to Azrael in the bible, and he is not considered a canonical character within Christianity. However, 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 is seen as a Christian account of Azrael. However, it does not specify whether Azrael is an angel of death, or an angel of punishment in this story.

In Islam [edit]

In 22 some cultures and sects, Azrael, also pronounced as ʿIzrāʾīl /Azriel, is the name referring to the Angel of Death by some Arabic speakers. The name is mentioned in a few Muslim books but is argued by some Muslims as having no basis of reference.^{[citation needed]} Along with Jibrīl, Mīkhā'īl, Isrāfīl and other angels, the Angel of Death is believed by Muslims to be one of the archangels.^[5] The Qur'an states that the angel of death takes the soul of every person and returns it to God.^[6] However, the Qur'an makes it clear that only God knows when and where each person will be taken by death,^[7] thus making it clear that the Angel of Death has no power of his own. 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.^[5] 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."^[8] However, there is no reference within the Quran 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's not used in the Qur'an itself.^{[citation needed]} However, the same can be said about many Prophets and Angels, many of whom aren't mentioned by name in the Qur'an.

Riffian (Berber) 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."^[9]

In Sikhism [edit]

In Sikh scriptures written by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, God (Waheguru) sends Azrael only to people who are unfaithful and unrepentant for their sins. Azrael appears on Earth in human form and hits sinful people on the head with his scythe to kill them and extract their souls from their bodies. Then he takes their souls to hell, and makes sure that they get the punishment that Waheguru decrees once he judges them. This would portray him as more of an avenging angel, or angel of retribution than a simple angel of death. It is unknown which story of Azrael this view is taken from ^[10]

In art and literature [edit]

Azrael, as both a character or a more abstract concept has been adopted by many different artists, musicians, poets, and authors over the centuries to express or evoke a variety of different meanings or emotions in the reader – often drawing on the cultural resonance of the name for effect.

Depiction of Azrael by Mikhail Vrubel.

In literature, Azrael has been featured by a variety of authors, across a broad range of styles and countries.

• The Mexican poet Amado Nervo wrote a poem entitled "Azrael".
• Azrael is a character in Arthur Miller's play The Creation of the World and Other Business.
• Asrael is a symphony by Czech composer Josef Suk, dating from 1906.
• Edgar Allen Poe briefly mentions Asrael in his short story Ligeia

In popular culture [edit]

• In the Hallow Visions Series by Eli Rose, the first book "The Eighth" introduces Azrael or Azriel, as a fallen archangel and antagonist that begins the genocide of the Archangels.
• In the Kevin Smith movie Dogma, Azrael was a character played by Jason Lee as a fallen muse and demon.
• The Black Metal band Marduk has a song called "Azrael".
• In the game Darksiders, Azrael helps the Horseman War in the final parts of the game.
• In the Smurfs comics and cartoons, Azrael is the name of the cat belonging to Gargamel, the Smurfs' archenemy.
• In the video game series Blazeblue, the third installment, Blazeblue: Chrono Phantasma, Azrael is the name of a playable character.
• The late sixties band, The Nice, has a song called "Azrael Revisited".
• In the Blue Bloods book series, Azrael is a prominent character.

See also [edit]

• Death (personification)
• Islamic view of angels
• Punishment of the Grave
• Sariel
• Thanatos, the personification of Death in Greek mythology

References [edit]

1. ^ ^{a b} Davidson, Gustav (1967), A Dictionary of Angels, Including The Fallen Angels, Entry: Azrael, pp. 64, 65, Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 66-19757
2. ^ 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."
3. ^ Davidson, Gustav (1967), A Dictionary of Angels, Including The Fallen Angels, Entry: Third Heaven, p. 288, Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 66-19757
4. ^ Hastings, James, Selbie, John A. (Editors) (2003), Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics Part 3, Kessinger Publishing, 2003, ISBN 0-7661-3671-X
5. ^ ^{a b} Historical Dictionary of Prophets in Islam and Judaism, Brannon M. Wheeler, Azrael
6. ^ Qur'an 32:11
7. ^ Qur'an 31:34
8. ^ Hanauer, J.E. (1907), Folk-lore of the Holy Land: Muslim, Christian and Jewish, Chapter V: The Angel of Death, at sacred-texts.com
9. ^ El Maghreg: 1200 Miles' Ride Through Morocco, Hugh Edward Millington Stutfield pppp
10. ^ http://angels.about.com/od/AngelsReligiousTexts/p/Meet-The-Archangel-Azrael.htm

External links [edit]

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