Angels of Hell

Allah (swt) has appointed some angels to torment and some to be guardians in hell (Jahannam). As with other angels, these angels do not disobey Allah's (swt) command. In one of the verses that talk about hell, the following is stated about these angels: “O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.” (Tahrim, 66/6)

There are guardians on duty over the of hell. They are known by the name of "Zabaniyah". These angels are mentioned in the Qur'an. Against the thought of Abu Lahab, who was the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and one of the leading enemies of Islam, to gather his followers and supporters, Almighty Allah challenged him with angels of hell and reveals his weakness as follows: “Then let him call his associates: “ We will call the angels of Hell.…” (Alaq, 96/17-18)

Hell-keepers (Zabaniyah) greet deniers who enter hell with various warnings and reminders: “And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups, until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say, "Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?" They will say, "Yes, but the word of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers.” (Az-Zumar, 39/71) They not only condemn them with these words, but also do not respond positively to their requests for help: “And those in the Fire will say to the keepers of Hell, "Supplicate your Lord to lighten for us a day from the punishment." They will say, "Did there not come to you your messengers with clear proofs?" They will say, "Yes." They will reply, "Then supplicate [yourselves], but the supplication of the disbelievers is not except in error."”(Ghafir, 40/49-50)

The number "nineteen" is mentioned in the 30th and 31st verses of the Surah Muddaththir about the number of the guardians of hell. However, whether this number is a real number or not is only in the knowledge of Allah (swt). Still, some scholars have expressed their opinions about what is meant by the number "nineteen" in the verse. According to some of them, the number represents the real number of 19 (Tabari, Tafsir, XXIII, 437)nineteen thousand angels, (Mücâhid, Tafsir, p. 684) nineteen group of angels or nineteen class of angels  (Tha'labi, al-Kashf wa al-Bayan, X, 74)  In addition, it is emphasized that the nineteen angels mentioned in the verse are the leaders of the hell-keepers, and the number of the angels of hell cannot be known. (Samarkandi, Bahr al-Ulum, III, 517) However, all of these opinions are estimations. As a matter of fact, Almighty Allah (swt) has also stated that the number nineteen in the verse is a means of trial. It has been stated that those who belittle or ridicule this figure about the guardians of hell will lose the trial and deviate from the right path. (Muddaththir, 74/30-31)

The head of the angels, who are the guardians of Hell, is an angel named Malik. Those in hell implore Malik that they want to die in order to get rid of the severity and continuity of their torment. However, these pleas go unanswered. This issue is described in the verse as follows: "O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us!" He will say,  "Indeed, you will remain." (Zukhruf, 43/77) 

There are many other angels besides the angels whose names and duties we have mentioned here. Some of them give good tidings of Allah's (swt) mercy to believers, while others ask for forgiveness for them. In addition, there are angels who visit those who recite the Qur'an, who get up for sahur and wish mercy to those who fast, who are with those who learn knowledge, who witness those who come to Jumu'ah (Friday) prayers, who support believers in wars, and who convey the salawats to the Prophet Muhammad (saw). (Komisyon, Hadislerle İslam, I, 536)