Angels in Islam

This book presents the first comprehensive study of angels in Islam, analyzing a collection of traditions (hadīth) compiled by the 15th-century polymath Jalāl al-Dīn al-Suyūtī. It focuses on the principal angels in Islam, providing an analysis and critical translation of hadith included in al-Suyuti’s al-Haba’ik, many of which are translated into English for the first time. The book discusses issues raised by the hadīth, exploring why angels are named in particular ways, how they are described and portrayed, their interactions with humans, and related theological controversies. It places al-Suyūtī’s collection in its religious and historical context, building on the study of angels in Judaism and Christianity to explore comparative religious beliefs about angels and relate Muslim beliefs to broader debates in Islamic Studies. The content includes discussions on angels in classical Islam, al-Suyūtī's works, themes in Islamic angelology such as naming, imagining, and angelic interactions, as well as translations and notes on al-Haba’ik.