Azra'il (Azrael) (The Angel of Death)

In the Qur'an, the term "Malak al-Mawt" (Angel of Death) is used for the angel tasked with taking the lives of people: “Say, "The angel of death will take you who has been entrusted with you. Then to your Lord you will be returned."” (Sajdah, 32/11) In this verse, the deed of "killing" or "taking life" is attributed to an angel of death, while in another verse, taking life is attributed to more than one angel, not just one:“…And He is the subjugator over His servants, and He sends over you guardian-angels until, when death comes to one of you, Our messengers take him, and they do not fail [in their duties]..” (Anam, 6/61) 

In fact, Almighty Allah (swt), the Creator of everything, is the one Who takes souls and creates death and life. As a matter of fact, in a verse, it is stated “Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep.” (Zumar, 39/42)  In a related narration, it is stated that Azra'il cannot take the soul of even a mosquito without the order of Almighty Allah (swt). (Tabarani, Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, IV, 220) In this respect, the angel of death only fulfills the task given to him. 

It is also an important issue whether Azra'il receives help from other angels while fulfilling his mission or whether there are other angels tasked with taking the lives of people. Based on various verses, it would be correct to say that there is more than one angel of death. As a matter of fact, this truth is emphasized in the Qur'an: “And He is the subjugator over His servants, and He sends over you guardian-angels until, when death comes to one of you, Our messengers take him, and they do not fail [in their duties].” (Anam, 6/61) and “Those will attain their portion of the decree until when Our messengers come to them to take them in death, they will say, "Where are those you used to invoke besides Allah ?"” (A'raf, 7/37)

Angels of death can be described as helpers of Azra'il. Some of these angels are responsible for taking the life of believers while others are responsible for taking the life of unbelievers. Angels take the lives of believers gently and without hurting them: “The ones whom the angels take in death, [being] good and pure; [the angels] will say, “Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise for what you used to do.”” (Nahl, 16/32) They take the life of unbelievers by torturing and banging them just like as if they give the signs of the punishment that they will face in the hereafter. “And if you could but see when the angels take the souls of those who disbelieved... They are striking their faces and their backs and [saying], "Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire.” (Anfal, 8/50; Muhammad, 47/27)

Accordingly, it is possible to say that the angel known as Azra'il is the head of the group of angels responsible for taking the lives or that he has helper angels. (Komisyon, Kur’an Yolu Türkçe Meal ve Tefsir, IV, 352)

How Azra'il (as) or the angels in charge took the lives of thousands of people in different parts of the world at the same time is explained with the angels given to Azra'il's command. In addition, the large number of angels and their ability to act quickly are among the information mentioned in this regard.