Angels

Angels are ethereal bodies created from light (Sahih Muslim 2996), meaning that they are normally invisible to human beings. They can, however, be seen if they take on a corporeal form. They have no free will and carry out Allah’s commands in total obedience and without error (Quran 66:6). They do not eat, drink, or procreate; they are genderless creatures and possess wings. “All praise is for Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth, who made angels messengers with wings - two, three, or four.”[1]

Muslims believe that different angels have specific duties. For example, Gabriel conveys revelations to prophets, Michael manages provision, Israfil (often equated with Raphael) will blow the trumpet on the Day of Judgment, and the Angel of Death takes the souls at the time of death. Other angels record the deeds of every human being (Quran 82:10–12; 50:17–18), others are guardians, some oversee Heaven and Hell, and others are perpetually in the worship of God. 

Another category of unseen beings that Muslims believe in is the jinn (genies/sprites/spirits). The jinn are made from fire and inhabit the Earth parallel to human beings. Unlike the angels, they have the free will to choose between right and wrong. The Quran says, “And among us are the righteous, and among us are those who are not; we have been of various factions.”[2]

[1] Quran 35:1.

[2] Quran 72:11.