It’s interesting to read Galatians 1:8 in light of our current series topic, When Angels Speak:
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
The Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, gave us an important warning about many different attempts by the enemy to corrupt the true Gospel of Christ through the centuries.
In the last part of our study we looked at Joseph Smith and Mormonism. According to historical records of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons), Joseph Smith was visited by more than 20 angels .. most of whom had been humans in a previous lifetime. They included Adam, Enoch, Noah, Seth, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist and Moroni. Gabriel, Michael and Raphael are also mentioned as having visited Smith.
We move now to one of the world’s largest religions that was reportedly started by the preaching of an angel.
Angels in Islam
Abū al-Qāsim Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib ibn Hāshim was the founder of Islam (surrender). Followers of Islam are known as Muslims (submitter). Muhammad was born in 570 AD in Mecca, Arabia (now Mecca, Saudi Arabia). His father died before he was born and his mother died when he was six years old. Muhammad lived with his grandfather for two years until his grandfather died, then went to live with his uncle. Muhammad became a trader like his uncle and met a wealthy widow during a caravan trip to Syria. Muhammad married Khadijah and they had six children. He continued his work as a trader until something changed his life in 610 AD.
Muhammad said he received a vision of the angel Jibrīl (Gabriel) who gave him a special message. The message was that the world had abandoned true worship and all regions were corrupt. Muhammad said Gabriel told him God had chosen him to be His final prophet to the world. What followed, according to Muhammad, was a series of revelations from the angel Gabriel. Muhammad was to use the name Allah for the one true God and to receive and record the true words of Allah and use those words to bring people back to the “straight path.”
Muhammad was illiterate, so he used other people to record the words he said Gabriel revealed to him. Those revelations reportedly continued for more than 20 years and became the “holy book” of Islam known as the Qur’an. Accounts of the life and sayings of Muhammad are known as the Hadith. Muhammad reportedly received angelic revelations during his time in Mecca and Medina.
Some of the accounts concerning Muhammad and the angel Gabriel state that Muhammad would go into a trance and often roll around and roar as if in a seizure.
Belief in angels is one of the six pillars of belief (Iman) in Islam:
- Belief in Allah
- Belief in Allah’s Angels
- Belief in Allah’s Books
- Belief in Allah’s Messengers
- Belief in Allah’s Day of Judgment
- Belief in Allah’s Divine Destiny (Predestination)
Here are some insights into Islam’s belief about angels from the Qur’an, the writings Muhammad said he received from the angel Gabriel.
[Translation into English by Yusuf Ali.]
Praise be to Allah, Who created (out of nothing) the heavens and the earth, Who made the angels, messengers with wings,- two, or three, or four (pairs): He adds to Creation as He pleases: for Allah has power over all things. Qur’an 35:1
The angels and Gibreel descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair. Qur’an 97:4
O ye who believe! save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded. Qur’an 66:6
To Him belong all (creatures) in the heavens and on earth: Even those who are in His (very) Presence are not too proud to serve Him, nor are they (ever) weary (of His service): They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit. Qur’an 21:19-20
They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command. Qur’an 21:27
And to Allah doth obeisance all that is in the heavens and on earth, whether moving (living) creatures or the angels: for none are arrogant (before their Lord). They all revere their Lord, high above them, and they do all that they are commanded. Qur’an 16:49-50
The Day that the Spirit and the angels will stand forth in ranks, none shall speak except any who is permitted by (Allah) Most Gracious, and He will say what is right. Qur’an 78:38
He doth send down His angels with inspiration of His Command, to such of His servants as He pleaseth, (saying): Warn (Man) that there is no god but I: so do your duty unto Me. Qur’an 16:2
The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). Qur’an 70:4-5
For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession, before and behind him: They guard him by command of Allah. Allah does not change a people’s lot unless they change what is in their hearts. But when (once) Allah willeth a people’s punishment, there can be no turning it back, nor will they find, besides Him, any to protect. Qur’an 13:11
Those who sustain the Throne (of Allah) and those around it Sing Glory and Praise to their Lord; believe in Him; and implore Forgiveness for those who believe: “Our Lord! Thy Reach is over all things, in Mercy and Knowledge. Forgive, then, those who turn in Repentance, and follow Thy Path; and preserve them from the Penalty of the Blazing Fire! Qur’an 40:7
Say: ‘The Angel of Death, put in charge of you, will (duly) take your souls: then shall ye be brought back to your Lord.’ Qur’an 32:11
Gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter there, as well as the righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their offspring: and angels shall enter unto them from every gate (with the salutation). Qur’an 13:23
Behold! the angels said: “O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah; ‘He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. And he shall be (of the company) of the righteous.’ Qur’an 3:45-46
The Qur’an mentions some angels by name.
Jibreel (Gabriel) is charged with communicating the words of Allah to prophets. Here’s what we read about Jibreel in the Qur’an. [Michael the angel is also mentioned with Gabriel in one of the verses.]
Say: Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel-for he brings down the (revelation) to thy heart by Allah’s will, a confirmation of what went before, and guidance and glad tidings for those who believe,-Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and messengers, to Gabriel and Michael,- Lo! Allah is an enemy to those who reject Faith. Qur’an 2:97-98
If ye two turn in repentance to Him, your hearts are indeed so inclined; But if ye back up each other against him, truly Allah is his Protector, and Gabriel, and (every) righteous one among those who believe,- and furthermore, the angels – will back (him) up. Qur’an 66:4
[Mikail (Michael) is believed to be the angel in charge of sustenance and rainfall.]
Malik is believed to be the angelic guardian of hell … “They will cry: ‘O Malik! would that thy Lord put an end to us!’ He will say, ‘Nay, but ye shall abide!’ Qur’an 43:77
Islamic tradition names other angels.
Israfeel (Raphael) is believed to be the angel who will blow the trumpet on judgment day … “The Trumpet will (just) be sounded, when all that are in the heavens and on earth will swoon, except such as it will please Allah (to exempt). Then will a second one be sounded, when, behold, they will be standing and looking on!” Qur’an 39:68
Malik Am-Maut is believed to be the angel of death … “Say: ‘The Angel of Death, put in charge of you, will (duly) take your souls: then shall ye be brought back to your Lord.” Qur’an 32:11
Munkar and Nakeer are believed to be angels who will question souls who have died about their faith and deeds when they were alive. (Hadith on Death: Jami at Tirmidhi, Sunan al-Tirmidhī 1071)
Ridwan is believed to be the angelic guardian of heaven … “Gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter there, as well as the righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their offspring: and angels shall enter unto them from every gate (with the salutation): ‘Peace unto you for that ye persevered in patience! Now how excellent is the final home!” Qur’an 13:23-24
Muhammad and Gabriel
Muhammad said that the angel Gabriel revealed the word of Allah to him. Did that happen? Did the angel Gabriel we read about in the Bible also speak to Muhammad centuries later and dictate the Qur’an to him? If so, then it means Christianity is not true. If not, then it means Islam is not true. I say that because of vast differences between revelations in the Bible and in the Qur’an.
Remember the words of the Apostle Paul — “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” If the message Gabriel (or any other angel) gave Muhammad differs in the slightest from the message Paul preached, then according to the Bible it is a false gospel.
God revealed His Word to prophets and apostles in the Bible and sometimes used angels to do that. Here are examples of God using the angels Gabriel and Michael, starting with Gabriel:
Then it happened, when I, Daniel, had seen the vision and was seeking the meaning, that suddenly there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, ‘Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.’ So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, ‘Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end. Daniel 8:15-17
Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God, yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, ‘O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. Daniel 9:20-22
And Zacharias said to the angel, ‘How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.’ And the angel answered and said to him, ‘I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” Luke 1:18-20
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women! Luke 1:26-28
Michael is next. You will notice that the angel Michael does not speak directly to prophets or apostles, but is involved in fighting so that God’s people can hear from Him.
Then he said to me, ‘Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come. Daniel 10:12-14
Then he said, ‘Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince. Daniel 10:20-21
At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:1-3
Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you! Jude 9
And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. Revelation 12:7-8
You may have noticed that Michael the angel of Judaism and Christianity has a much higher and stronger position than the Michael of Islam. Michael in Judaism and Christianity is a powerful archangel who is called one of the “chief princes” who fights against other angels and will lead “his angels” to fight with Satan and his angels and defeat them. Islam says Michael is in charge of sustenance and rainfall. The two descriptions of Michael don’t match.
Next Time
We know that God used Gabriel to deliver messages directly to Daniel, Zacharias and Mary the mother of Jesus. Did God also use Gabriel to deliver messages to Muhammad about Christianity being a corrupt religion? We’ll answer that question in the next part of our study.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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