Izrael is the traditional name of the Archangel of Death. He is
also the Angel of Death in Islamic extrabiblical tradition and
folklore. The Qur'an never uses this name, referring instead to
Malak al-Maut (which translates directly as angel of death). The
name literally means Whom God Helps.
Although some sources have speculated about a connection between
Izrael and the human priest Ezra, he is generally depicted as an
archangel whose history long predates this figure. Rather than
merely representing death personified, Izrael is usually described
in Islamic sources as subordinate to the will of God "with the most
profound reverence." In Jewish mysticism he is identified as the
embodiment of evil, not necessarily or specifically evil itself.
Depending on the outlook and precepts of various religions in which
he is a figure, Izrael may be portrayed as residing in the Third
Heaven. In one of his forms, he has four faces and four thousand
wings, and his whole body consists of eyes and tongues, the number
of which corresponds to the number of people inhabiting the Earth.
He will be the last to die, recording and erasing constantly in a
large book the names of men at birth and death, respectively.
Riffian (Berber) men of Morocco had the custom of shaving the head
but leaving a single lock of hair on either the crown, left, or
right side of the head, so that the angel Izrael is able "...to
pull them up to heaven of the Last Day."
Military Association of GeoCachers
Serving Proudly
|