Mikai’l is one of two angels in Islam familiar to Jews and Christians. But the Islamic angel is notably different from the Biblical Michael.

A thread on Mikai’l one of the four archangels in Islam

Mikai’l alongside Jibra’il is mentioned directly in the Qur’an, but much of the details about the angel are drawn from the hadith and tafsir who expand and explain the position of Mika’il in Islamic cosmology.

Mika'il and Jibra'il not only appear alongside each other in the Qur’an, but are the two archangels that work together most.

He is reputed to have been created by God 500 years after Israfil and described as like saffron and topaz. Where Israfil has countless tongues and Azra’il infinite eyes, Mikai’l is described as having thousands of faces.

Each mouth has thousands of tongues praising God.

Like Israfil, Mikai’l is described in a state of crying. While the former cries when glancing upon hell, Mikai’l has been crying since the creation of hell and will continue until the end of days.

From each of the tears, God fashions more angels known as the Karubiyum

Together they are angels of mercy and compassion, sustaining life on Earth. Each drop of water in the seas and rivers, every fruit of the earth is maintained by Mika’il and the Karrubiyum.

Mikai’l also collects the Book of Deeds

This vision of the universe sees it full of spirit, countless angels maintain the earth, the heavens, and every aspect of life

Mikai’l is said to reside in the 6th heaven, though there is some contention that he is on one side of God’s Throne.

This is likely drawn from an Islamic understanding of Jewish angelogy and the position of Gabriel and Michael

During Muhammad’s Night journey, he meets Mikai’l who greets him fondly, but is sorrowful.

When Muhammad asks Jibrai’il about Mikai’l, his guide responds that Mikai’l has not smiled since hell was created.

Mikai’l therefore shares attributes with Israfil (crying) and with Malik (unsmiling)

Contrary to the Michael persona as a warrior of God, Mika’il reflects God’s majesty and mercy.

While it is said the angel joined Jibrai’l in fighting alongside the Believers during the battle of Badr, Mikai’l is not a war-like being

In Islamic cosmology, there is no lesser force opposing heaven, rather all the cosmos fall under the domain of God.

Nor are the angels matched in power or might by demons or jinn.

It is said when Adam died, Mikai’l joined the other angels in washing and wrapping the body in the burial shroud, and stood behind Jibrai’l in the funerary prayers.

In esoteric circles, Mikai’l is associated with Mercury and guardian of one of the Names of God.

The angel is often invoked by jinn-binders to restrain the powers of the King Barqan.

Mikai’ls name also appears in magic squares and talismans of protection usually alongside the names of Jibr’ail, Israfil, and Azra’il

We shall continue our journey into the archangels of Islam next week.