5a] Which angels take the soul of the Muslim, the angels of mercyor the angels of wrath?

5a]
It was narrated from al-Bara' ibn'Aazib (may Allah be pleased with
him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said
-- in a lengthy hadeeth in which he described the situation of the
believer and the evildoer when their souls are taken --:
"… as for the evildoer, when he is about to enter the Hereafter and
depart from this world, the Angel of Death comes to him and sits by
his head. There comedown to him angels from heaven with black faces,
bringing with them sackcloth. They sit with him as far as the eye can
see. Then the Angel of Death and says, 'O evil soul, come out to the
wrath and anger of Allaah…' .
This was narrated by al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak (1/93) and classed as
saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Ahkaam al-Janaa'iz (no. 108). The
hadeeth is also narrated in al-Sunan. Ibn Tooloon compiled in his book
al-Tahreer al-Mursakh fi Ahwaal al-Barzakh (p. 75-112) the hadeeths
and reports which speak of this matter.
But if we say that what is meantby the evildoer or the bad man in
these reports is the disbeliever who is mentioned in the other
reports, then all the versions of the hadeeth are in accordance, as
seems to be the case. So that means that there is nothing definite
about Muslims who commit wrong actions and major sins. And Allah knows
best.
Shaykh al-Shanqeeti (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"Those whose lives the angels take while they are in a pious state
(i.e. pure from all evil, and worshipping none but Allaah Alone)
saying (to them): Salaamun 'Alaikum (peace be on you) enter you
Paradise, because of that (the good) which you used to do (in the
world)"
[al-Nahl 16:32 –interpretation ofthe meaning].
In this verse Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, stated thatthe
pious who obeyed the commands of their Lord and avoided that which He
forbade will have their souls taken by the angels when they are in a
good state, i.e., pure and free of shirk and sin -- according to the
soundest commentaries -- and they will give them the glad tidings of
Paradise and greet them with salaam..
This meaning is also stated elsewhere, as in the verses in which Allah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, those who say: "Our Lord is Allaah (Alone)," and then they
stand firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their
death) (saying): "Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings
of Paradise which you have been promised!"
[Fussilat 41:30]
"and its keepers will say: Salaamun 'Alaykum (peace be upon you)! You
have done well, so enter here to abide therein"
[al-Zumar 39:74]
"And angels shall enter unto them from every gate (saying):
24. "Salâmun 'Alaikum (peace be upon you) for you persevered in
patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!"
[al-Ra'd 13:23-24]
The glad tidings are given at thetime of death, and when they entered
Paradise from one gate, because they are glad tidings of good after
moving to the Hereafter.
From the description of those whose souls are taken when they are in a
good state and to whom it is said ' peace be upon you, enter
Paradise,' it may be understood that those who are not described as
pious will not be taken by the angels in that noble state or be
greeted or given glad tidings.
Allah has stated this meaning elsewhere, such as in the verses where
He says (interpretation ofthe meaning):
"Those whose lives the angels take while they are doing wrong to
themselves (by disbelief and by associating partners in worship with
Allaah and by committing all kinds of crimes and evil deeds)." Then,
they will make (false) submission"
[al-Nahl 16:28]
"Verily, as for those whom the angels take (in death) while theyare
wronging themselves (as they stayed among the disbelievers even though
emigration was obligatory for them), they (angels) say (to them): 'In
what (condition) wereyou?' They reply: 'We were weak and oppressed on
the earth.' They (angels) say: 'Was not the earth of Allaah spacious
enough for you to emigrate therein?' Such men will find theirabode in
Hell — what an evil destination!"
[al-Nisa' 4:97]
"And if you could see when the angels take away the souls of those who
disbelieve (at death); they smite their faces and their backs,
(saying): "Taste the punishment of the blazing Fire"
[al-Anfaal 8:50].
And there are other similar verses. End quote from Adwa' al-Bayaan, 3/3
Perhaps it may be said here -- and Allah knows best -- that the
situation of those who commit acts of disobedience and major sins, at
the time of death, varies according to their level of disobedience and
obedience. For the person who is one of those who affirm Tawheed and
are good and righteous, they will have the glad tidings and good
situation that Allah has promised here,...