We believe that Allah, the Exalted, honored them and assigned them with various sublime tasks, the most noble of which is to be a messenger between Allah and His servants, conveying the revelation to them. The angel tasked with bringing down the revelation to the prophets and messengers of Allah is Jibrīl (peace be upon him). Allah Almighty says: {Say: "This has been brought down by the Holy Spirit from your Lord with the truth."} [Surat an-Nahl: 102] Allah Almighty also says: {This is indeed a revelation from the Lord of the worlds, which the Trustworthy Spirit [Gabriel] has brought down to your heart [O Prophet] so that you may be one of the warners, in clear Arabic language.} [Surat ash-Shu‘arā’: 192-195]
Allah Almighty may also send them to people other than the prophets as an trial and test. An example is the three persons from the children of Israel. ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Abi ‘Amrah related that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) related to him that he heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "There were three persons from among the children of Israel - a leper, a blind, and a bald man - whom Allah Almighty willed to test. So, he sent them an angel who came to the leper and said: 'What thing do you like most?' He replied: 'Good color and good skin, for the people have a strong aversion to me.' The angel touched him and his illness was cured, and he was given a good color and beautiful skin. The angel asked him: 'What kind of property do you like best?' He replied: 'Camels (or cows).' (The narrator doubted, for either the leper or the bald man demanded camels and the other demanded cows). So, he was given a pregnant she-camel, and the angel said: 'May Allah bless it for you.' The angel then went to the bald man and said: 'What thing do you like most?' He said: 'I like good hair and wish to be cured of this disease, for the people feel repulsion for me.' The angel touched him and his illness was cured, and he was given good hair. The angel asked: 'What kind of property do you like best?' He replied: 'Cows.' The angel gave him a pregnant cow and said: 'May Allah bless it for you.' The angel went to the blind man and asked: 'What thing do you like best?' He said: '(I like) that Allah may restore my eyesight to me so that I may see people.' The angel touched his eyes and Allah gave him back his eyesight. The angel asked him: 'What kind of property do you like best?' He replied: 'Sheep.' The angel gave him a pregnant sheep. Afterwards, all the three pregnant animals gave birth to young ones, and multiplied and brought forth so much that one of the (three) men had a herd of camels filling a valley, and one had a herd of cows filling a valley, and one had a flock of sheep filling a valley. Then, the angel, disguised in the shape and appearance of a leper, went to the leper and said: 'I am a poor man, who has lost all means of livelihood while on a journey. So, none will satisfy my need except Allah and then you. In the name of the One Who has given you such nice color and beautiful skin, and so much property, I ask you to give me a camel so that I may reach my destination.' The man replied: 'I have many obligations.' The angel said: 'I think I know you; were you not a leper to whom the people had a strong aversion? Weren't you a poor man, and then Allah gave you (all this property).' He replied: 'I got this property through inheritance from my forefathers.' The angel said: 'If you are telling a lie, then may Allah make you as you were before.' Then, the angel, disguised in the shape and appearance of a bald man, went to the bald man and said to him the same as he told the first one, and he too answered the same as the first one did. The angel said: 'If you are telling a lie, then may Allah make you as you were before.' The angel, disguised in the shape of a blind man, went to the blind man and said: 'I am a poor man and a traveler, whose means of livelihood have been exhausted while on a journey. I have nobody to help me except Allah, and then you. I ask you in the name of the One Who has given you back your eyesight to give me a sheep, so that I may complete my journey with it.' The man said: 'No doubt, I was blind and Allah gave me back my eyesight; I was poor and Allah made me rich; so take anything you wish from my property. By Allah, I will not stop you from taking anything of my property which you may take for Allah's sake.' The angel replied: 'Keep your property with you. You have been tested, and Allah is pleased with you and angry with your two companions.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3464) and Muslim (2964)]
Among the angels, there are the bearers of the Throne. Allah, Exalted and Glorified be He, says: {With the angels on all its sides, and on that Day, eight [mighty angels] will bear the Throne of your Lord above them.} [Surat al-Hāqqah: 17]
Among their tasks is writing down destiny. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The creation of one of you starts in the womb of his mother within forty days. Then he becomes a clot of blood for a similar period and then he becomes like a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allah sends an angel, who is ordered to write four things: his deeds, his sustenance, his life span, and whether he will be wretched or blissful." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3208), Muslim (2643), Abu Dāwūd (4708), At-Tirmidhi (2137), and Ibn Mājah (76)]
Among their tasks is taking charge of the wombs and their contents, in terms of creating, forming, and breathing life. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When forty-two nights pass after the semen gets into the womb, Allah sends an angel and he gives it shape. Then, he creates its sense of hearing, its eyesight, its skin, its flesh, and its bones, and then says: 'My Lord, will he be male or female?' And your Lord decides as He wishes and the angel writes it down. Then, he says: 'My Lord, what about his age?' And your Lord decides as He wishes and the angel writes it down." [Narrated by Muslim (2645)]
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah has appointed an angel in charge of the womb, and the angel says: ‘O Lord, a sperm drop! O Lord, a clot! O Lord, a piece of flesh.’ Then, when Allah wills to complete its creation, the angel asks: ‘O Lord, a male or female? Wretched or blissful? How much will his sustenance be? How long will he live?’ All that is written while the fetus is still in its mother’s womb." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6595) and Muslim (2646)]
Among their tasks is to take people's souls. Allah, the Exalted, says: {Until when death approaches one of you, Our Messengers (angel of death and his assistants) take his soul, and they never neglect their duty.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 61] Allah Almighty also says: {How will they feel when the angels take their souls, striking their faces and their backs?} [Surat Muhammad: 27]
ِAnd of their tasks is to breathe life into the bodies in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The creation of one of you starts in the womb of his mother within forty days. Then he becomes a clot of blood for a similar period and then he becomes like a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allah sends an angel, who is ordered to write four things: his deeds, his sustenance, his life span, and whether he will be wretched or blissful." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (3208), Muslim (2643), Abu Dāwūd (4708), At-Tirmidhi (2137), and Ibn Mājah (76)] Allah Almighty says: {Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.} [Surat az-Zumar: 68]
Their tasks also include conducting jihad along with the believers and making them firm in the battlefields and also in the struggle of life. Allah, Exalted be He, says: {[Remember] when your Lord inspired the angels: "I am with you, so make firm the feet of those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. So strike their necks and strike all their limbs."} [Surat al-Anfāl: 12] The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The devil draws near to man, and so does the angel. The devil’s approach consists of promise of what is evil and denial of what is true; whereas the angel’s approach consists of promise of what is good and confirmation of what is true. When anyone experiences the latter, let him know that it comes from Allah and let him praise Allah; but if he experiences the other, let him seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil." Then, he recited {Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit shameful acts.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 268]" [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi (2988), Ibn al-Mubārak in Az-Zuhd (1435), Ahmad in Az-Zuhd (854), and Abu Dāwūd in Az-Zuhd (164)]
Among their tasks is supplicating for the believers and asking Allah's forgiveness for them. The Almighty Lord says: {Those [angels] who bear the Throne and those around it glorify their Lord with His praise and believe in Him, and seek forgiveness for those who believe, [saying]: "Our Lord, Your mercy and knowledge encompass everything, so forgive those who repent and follow Your way, and protect them from the punishment of the Blazing Fire."} [Surat Ghāfir: 7]
Their tasks include witnessing the acts of worship performed by the believers on good occasions and virtuous times - such as Fridays, the day of ‘Arafah, the night of Qadr, and the Fajr and ‘Asr prayers - and raising their good words, and conveying their news to the Almighty Lord, though He is the All-Aware, All-Knowing, and He does not need anyone to tell Him. Allah, Blessed and Exalted be He, says: {And the recitation of dawn [prayer], for the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed [by the angles].} [Surat al-Isrā’: 78] Allah Almighty also says: {On that night the angels and the Spirit [Gabriel] descend by their Lord’s permission with all decrees.} [Surat al-Qadr: 4]
And the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Angels take turns among you by night and by day, and they all assemble at the Fajr and ‘Asr prayers. Then those angels who spend the night among you ascend, their Lord asks them, although He knows best about them: 'How did you leave My servants?' They say: 'We left them while they were praying and we came to them while they were praying.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (555), Muslim (632), and An-Nasā’i (485)]
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) also said: “Allah has some angels who wander around the roads and paths looking for the people of dhikr. When they find some people remembering Allah, they call each other saying: ‘Come to the object of your pursuit.’ Then, the angels encircle them with their wings up to the lowest heaven." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (6408) and Muslim (2689)]
Moreover, the angels witness the occasions of faith, like the Fridays, the day of ‘Arafah, and the night of Qadr. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "And when the imām comes out, the angels attend to listen to dhikr." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (881), Muslim (850), Abu Dāwūd (351), At-Tirmidhi (499), and An-Nasā’i (1388)]
One of their tasks is to convey to the Prophet his Ummah's invocations of Allah's blessings upon him. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "And invoke Allah's blessings upon me, for your invocations of Allah's blessings upon me reach me wherever you are." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (204), Ahmad (8804), At-Tabarāni in Al-Awsat (8030), and Al-Bayhaqi in Ash-Shu‘ab (3865)]
In another Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah has angels traveling around on earth conveying to me the greetings of my Ummah." [Narrated by An-Nasā’i (1282), ‘Abdur-Razzāq (3116), Ibn Abi Shaybah in Al-Musannaf (8797) and in Al-Musnad (269), and Ahmad (3666)]
Another of their tasks is to protect the children of Adam. Allah, the Exalted, says: {For each person there are mu‘aqqibāt (successive angels) in front of him and behind him, guarding him by the command of Allah.} [Surat ar-Ra‘d: 11] ‘Ali ibn Abi Talhah related that Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Mu‘aqqibāt: They belong to Allah's command. They are the angels." [Narrated by At-Tabari in At-Tafsīr (13/463) and Ibn Abi Hātim in At-Tafsīr (12198)]
Their tasks include writing down good deeds and sins. Allah Almighty says: {Honorable scribes.} [Surat al-Infitār: 11] He Almighty also says: {When the two angel scribes, constantly accompanying him, one on the right, and the other on the left. Not a single word he utters but there is with him a vigilant watcher, ready [to record it].} [Surat Qāf: 17-18] And He, Exalted be He, says: {And He sends over you recording-angels.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 61] Allah Almighty says bout them: {Do they think that We do not hear their secret talks and private counsels? Yes indeed, and Our angel-messengers are with them recording everything.} [Surat az-Zukhruf: 80] And the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah says: 'If My slave intends to do a bad deed, do not write it unless he does it; if he does it, write it as it is; but if he refrains from doing it for My sake, write it as a good deed. And if he intends to do a good deed, but does not do it, write it for him as a good deed, and if he does it, write it for him as ten times as much, up to seven-hundred times.'" [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (7501), Muslim (128), and At-Tirmidhi (3073)] In another Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The angels said: 'Lord, this is Your slave; he wants to do a bad deed - while He is more Aware of him.' He said: 'Watch him. If he does it, write it for him as it is; yet if he refrains from doing it, write it for him as a good deed, for he has only given it up for My sake.'" [Narrated by Muslim (129)]
Among their tasks is guarding Madīnah from the Anti-Christ. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are angels at the entries of Madīnah, and neither plague nor the Anti-Christ will enter it." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri (1880) and Muslim (1379)]
One of their tasks is to question the dead in the grave. Al-Barā’ ibn ‘Āzib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Informing about the condition of a person after he is put in the grave, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Two angels come to him and make him sit up. They will say to him: 'Who is your Lord?' He will say: 'My Lord is Allah.' They will say to him: 'What is your religion?' He will say: 'My religion is Islam?' They will say to him: 'Who is that man who was sent to you?' He will say: 'He is the Messenger of Allah.'" [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd (4753), An-Nasā’i (2001), Ibn Mājah (1548), At-Tayālsi (789), ‘Abdur-Razzāq (6737), and Ibn Abi Shaybah (12185)]
Among their tasks is the work of the Gatekeeper of Paradise. Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I will come to the gate of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection and will seek its opening. The Gatekeeper will say: 'Who are you?' I will say: 'Muhammad.' He will say: 'It is for you that I have been ordered, and not to open it for anyone before you.'" [Narrated by Muslim (197)] And the work of the Gatekeeper of Hellfire. Allah Almighty says: {They will cry out: "O Mālik, let your Lord put an end to us!” He will say, “You are here to stay."} [Surat az-Zukhruf: 77] He, Exalted be He, also says: {It is overseen by nineteen [angels]. We have only appointed angels as keepers of the Fire.} [Surat al-Muddaththir: 30-31] ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Hellfire will be brought on that Day with seventy thousand bridles, and each bridle will be dragged by seventy thousand angels." [Narrated by Muslim (2842) and At-Tirmidhi (2573)] [Tafsīr Al-Qurtubi (19/80)]