AQA · GCSE · Religious Studies
Course version: 8062 · Version from Sept 2018
Angels, their nature and role, including Jibril and Mika’il.
Full specification wording
Beliefs and teachings: Angels, their nature and role, including Jibril and Mika’il.
In Islam, angels (Malaikah) are spiritual beings created by Allah from light (nur).
Checked against the AQA 8062 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 5 of 13
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
In Islam, angels (Malaikah) are spiritual beings created by Allah from light (nur). Their fundamental nature is absolute obedience; because they lack free will, they cannot sin and exist solely to serve and praise Allah. Their roles are diverse, including acting as messengers, guarding humans, and recording deeds for the Day of Judgement. Jibril is the most prominent angel, tasked with delivering divine revelation to the prophets, most notably reciting the Qur'an to Muhammad. Mika'il is the angel of mercy, responsible for sending rain, thunder, and lightning to provide physical sustenance to Earth, as well as rewarding righteous deeds. Together, they bridge the divine and human realms.
What earns the marks
- Explain that angels are created from light and lack free will, ensuring their complete obedience to Allah.
- Describe the general roles of angels, such as recording human deeds (Kiraman Katibin) and guarding individuals.
- Detail Jibril's specific role as the angel of revelation who delivered the Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad.
- Detail Mika'il's specific role in providing physical and spiritual sustenance, including bringing rain and rewarding the righteous.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming angels can choose to disobey Allah.
Put it right: Angels do not have free will; they are entirely obedient to Allah's commands.
Confusing the roles of Jibril and Mika'il.
Put it right: Jibril is the angel of revelation, whereas Mika'il is responsible for sustenance and rain.
Stating angels are physical beings like humans.
Put it right: Angels are spiritual beings created from light, though they can take human form if commanded by Allah.
Exam tips
- Use the Arabic term 'Malaikah' alongside the English word 'angels' to demonstrate precise subject knowledge.
- When evaluating the importance of angels, link their role as recorders of deeds directly to the Day of Judgement.
- Contrast the nature of angels (no free will) with human nature (possessing free will) to highlight their unique status.
Try the lesson
The start of the Beliefs and teachings: Angels, their nature and role, including Jibril and Mika’il. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
In Islam, what is the primary role of the angel Jibril (Gabriel)?
Listen
In Islam, angels (Malaikah) are spiritual beings created by Allah from light (nur). Their fundamental nature is absolute obedience; because they lack free will, they cannot sin and exist solely to serve and praise Allah. Their roles are diverse, including acting as messengers, guarding humans, and recording deeds for the Day of Judgement. Jibril is the most prominent angel, tasked with delivering divine revelation to the prophets, most notably reciting the Qur'an to Muhammad. Mika'il is the angel of mercy, responsible for sending rain, thunder, and lightning to provide physical sustenance to Earth, as well as rewarding righteous deeds. Together, they bridge the divine and human realms. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain that angels are created from light and lack free will, ensuring their complete obedience to Allah. Describe the general roles of angels, such as recording human deeds (Kiraman Katibin) and guarding individuals. Detail Jibril's specific role as the angel of revelation who delivered the Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad. Detail Mika'il's specific role in providing physical and spiritual sustenance, including bringing rain and rewarding the righteous. A common slip: Claiming angels can choose to disobey Allah. Instead, Angels do not have free will; they are entirely obedient to Allah's commands. Exam tip: Use the Arabic term 'Malaikah' alongside the English word 'angels' to demonstrate precise subject knowledge.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Malaikah (Angels)
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Revelation
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Sustenance
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Obedience to Allah
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See every definition
- Malaikah (Angels)
- Spiritual beings created by Allah from light (nur), whose fundamental nature is absolute obedience because they lack free will.
- Revelation
- Divine revelation delivered by Jibril to the prophets, most notably reciting the Qur'an to Muhammad.
- Sustenance
- Physical and spiritual provision, including rain, thunder and lightning sent by Mika'il to Earth and the rewarding of righteous deeds.
- Obedience to Allah
- Complete submission to Allah's commands, ensured in angels because they lack free will and cannot sin.
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