Due to ignorance resulting either from misinformation or under-information, some people appear to confuse Angels with Jinn; leading consequently to misconceptions about the respective roles of each of the two creatures of Allah (SWT). This false impression could have arisen because of the fact that the devil (Shaytan or Iblis) who biologically belonged to the nation of Jinn was spiritually elevated to live among the angels. To appreciate the distinction between Angels and Jinn, we need to know the physical world of the two creatures, their natural characteristics, and the spiritual duties they owe to Allah.
Angels are supernatural beings created by Allah from light. While human beings cannot see them, they can see human beings. Angels have wings and forces. Allah informs us in Qur’an 35:1 “Praise be to Allah, who created (out of nothing) the heavens and earth, who made the angles Messengers with wings two, or three, or four.…” Angels possess all the spiritual virtues and none of man’s shortcomings. The angelic world does not know disobedience. Unlike mankind and Jinn who have a choice to obey or disobey Allah, Angels have not been created to defy Allah or break His divine rules. Allah states in Qur’an 66:6 “…Who flinch not (from executing) the commands they receive from Allah; But do (precisely) what they are commanded.”
Various Angels are assigned different roles which they carry out unfailingly. While Angel Jibril (Gabriel) brought revelations to Messengers of Allah, Mikail (Michael) is in charge of rains and the distribution of wealth among mankind and in accordance with the wishes of Allah. These two Angels are mentioned in Qur’an 2:98 “Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and apostles, to Jibril and Mikail; Lo! Allah is an enemy to those who reject faith.” There are Angels whose duty is to record the deeds of man. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 82:10-11 “But verily over you (are appointed angels) to protect you, kind and honourable; writing down (your deeds).” The Munkar and Nakir are in charge of questioning as well as effecting reward and punishment to the dead in the grave. Israfil is to blow the trumpet on the Day of Judgment. The Angel whose name seems more popular among mankind (probably because of his responsibility which is uniquely despised by man) is Azrail who is in charge of taking the life of every living being at the appointed time. Allah affirms in Qur’an 32:11 “Say: ‘The Angel of Death, put in charge of you, will (duly) take your souls; Then shall ye be brought back to your Lord”. There are angels in charge of the heavens and Hell.
Angels, day and night, are perpetually in the worship of Allah. They are all righteous and virtuous. While some, consistently, are praising Allah’s name; others live to bow (in ruku’u), prostrate (in sujud), or glorify Allah. There are Angels too whose duty is to watch over believers who engage in the remembrance of Allah or offering prayers of peace and blessings for the Prophet (SAW) or other acts of devotion in order to report back to Allah. Qur’an 41:30 staes “In the case of those who say, ‘our Lord is Allah’, and further, stand straight and steadfast; the Angels descend on them (from time to time): ‘Fear ye not’ (they suggest), ‘Nor grieve! But receive the Glad Tidings of the Garden (of Bliss), which ye were promised.” Angels do not eat like mankind and the Jinn.
The Jinn, like the Angels, are creatures of Allah but created from a flame of fire. Qur’an 15:27 asserts “And the Jinn race, we had created before, from the fire of a scorching wind”. The Jinn are like mankind in several ways; but like the Angels too, were created to remain invincible to man. Chapter (surah) No. 72 of the Qur’an with 28 verses is named “Jinn”. While some of the Jinn, like mankind, are virtuous; others are fiendish and wicked; taking after the paramount head (Iblis) in the world of devils.
Unlike the Angels who live in the heavens but descend to the earth to perform their respective functions, the Jinn race like mankind live on the earth and have been given the prerogative to obey or disobey Allah’s injunctions. The Jinn like mankind also die and would be raised on the Day of Judgment to account for their deeds. The revelation that came through Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was meant for the guidance of both mankind and Jinn, which makes the Jinn (like mankind) accountable to Allah (SWT) for their actions and inactions.
The Jinn, by Allah’s will and grace, have the ability to take the shape of other creatures on earth. The Jinn could take the form of snakes especially if they come in to human habitats or environments. They have the ability to even enter in to human body and manipulate it according to their vicious desires. They live among mankind but reside most of the time in specific locations or sites. These may include shades of trees, riversides, streets, plain lands, etc.
Iblis, the proper name for the Shaytan, belonged to the Jinn race. He was a virtuously devoted servant of Allah who was elevated to the angelic world for his extraordinary devotional duties. But his extreme rebellion to Allah’s command made him an outcast of the angelic world. May Allah (SWT) guide and protect us from the evil of the sneaking whisperer, amin.
