Short answer
Yes. In Islam, Allah (﷾) alone runs the world, at every moment, and He never tires or sleeps. The Qur'an says He "rules (all) affairs from the heavens to the earth" (32:5). The angels do real work, but they "act (in all things) by His Command" (21:27). Jibril (Gabriel) brings the revelation. Many scholars say Mika'il (Michael) is in charge of the rain. Israfil will blow the Trumpet on the Last Day. The Angel of Death takes souls. None of them runs the world for Allah (﷾), and none acts without His leave.
Full explanation
Allah (﷾) alone runs the world
The Qur'an says Allah (﷾) "rules (all) affairs from the heavens to the earth" (32:5). It says He is "regulating and governing all things" (10:3). He holds the heavens and the earth in place, "lest they cease (to function)" (35:41). If they failed, no one else could hold them up. He never needs rest: "No slumber can seize Him nor sleep" (2:255). He "feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them" (2:255). So nothing in the world runs by itself, and nothing runs for Him in His place.
“He rules (all) affairs from the heavens to the earth: in the end will (all affairs) go up to Him, on a Day, the space whereof will be (as) a thousand years of your reckoning.”
“Verily your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and is firmly established on the throne (of authority), regulating and governing all things. No intercessor (can plead with Him) except after His leave (hath been obtained). This is Allah your Lord; Him therefore serve ye: will ye not receive admonition?”
“It is Allah Who sustains the heavens and the earth, lest they cease (to function): and if they should fail, there is none - not one - can sustain them thereafter: Verily He is Most Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving.”
“Allah! There is no god but He,-the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).”
The angels carry out His commands
Allah (﷾) made the angels "messengers with wings" (35:1). They do real work in the world. The Qur'an says they "arrange to do (the Commands of their Lord)" (79:5). They "speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command" (21:27). They "flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah" (66:6). So the angels are servants, not rulers. They decide nothing on their own.
“Praise be to Allah, Who created (out of nothing) the heavens and the earth, Who made the angels, messengers with wings,- two, or three, or four (pairs): He adds to Creation as He pleases: for Allah has power over all things.”
“Then arrange to do (the Commands of their Lord),”
“And they say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten offspring." Glory to Him! they are (but) servants raised to honour. They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command. He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His (Glory).”
“O ye who believe! save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded.”
The archangels and their work
Four great angels are often called the archangels. At night the Prophet (ﷺ) began his prayer by calling Allah (﷾) the Lord of Jibril, Mika'il and Israfil (Muslim 770). Even the greatest angels have Allah (﷾) as their Lord. Jibril (Gabriel) brings the revelation. The Qur'an says he "brings down the (revelation) to thy heart by Allah's will" (2:97). Mika'il (Michael) is named beside him (2:98). Many scholars say Mika'il is in charge of the rain, which brings life to the earth. Israfil will blow the Trumpet on the Last Day (39:68). The Qur'an does not name him, and no authentic hadith does either, but scholars widely agree that he is the one. The Angel of Death takes souls (32:11). The name "Azrael", often given to him, has no sound evidence.
Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf asked Aisha how the Prophet (ﷺ) began his prayer when he rose at night. She said he began by calling on Allah as the Lord of Jibril, Mika'il and Israfil, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the Knower of the unseen and the seen, who judges between His servants in what they differ over. He then asked Allah to guide him to the truth where people disagreed, for Allah guides whom He wills to the straight path.
“Say: Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel-for he brings down the (revelation) to thy heart by Allah's will, a confirmation of what went before, and guidance and glad tidings for those who believe,-”
“Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and messengers, to Gabriel and Michael,- Lo! Allah is an enemy to those who reject Faith.”
“Verily this is a Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds: With it came down the spirit of Faith and Truth- To thy heart and mind, that thou mayest admonish. In the perspicuous Arabic tongue.”
An encyclopedia of Islamic belief lists the angels' tasks with their evidence. Jibril brings the revelation (2:97; 26:192-195). Many scholars say Mika'il is in charge of the rain and directs it wherever Allah commands; the hadith they cite has scholarly reservations. Ibn al-Qayyim wrote that Jibril was appointed to bring the revelation, the life of hearts and souls, and Mika'il the rain, the life of the earth, plants and animals. Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Hajar report scholarly consensus that Israfil will blow the Trumpet (39:68), though no sahih hadith says so. The angel who takes souls is the Angel of Death (32:11); there is no sound evidence that his name is 'Izra'il. Al-Shinqiti explains that taking souls is ascribed to Allah (39:42), to the Angel of Death (32:11) and to the angels (16:32) without contradiction: no one dies but by Allah's leave, the Angel of Death is commanded to take souls, and other angels help him.
“The Trumpet will (just) be sounded, when all that are in the heavens and on earth will swoon, except such as it will please Allah (to exempt). Then will a second one be sounded, when, behold, they will be standing and looking on!”
“Say: "The Angel of Death, put in charge of you, will (duly) take your souls: then shall ye be brought back to your Lord."”
| Angel | His work | Where it is taught |
|---|---|---|
| Jibril (Gabriel) | Brings the revelation to the prophets | The Qur'an names him (2:97) |
| Mika'il (Michael) | In charge of the rain, which brings life to the earth | The Qur'an names him (2:98); his work is from the scholars |
| Israfil | Will blow the Trumpet on the Last Day | The Prophet (ﷺ) names him (Muslim 770); the Trumpet is in the Qur'an (39:68) |
| The Angel of Death | Takes each soul at its appointed time | The Qur'an (32:11) |
Each acts only by Allah's (﷾) command (21:27), and the Prophet (ﷺ) called Allah (﷾) their Lord (Muslim 770).
One act, told three ways
The Qur'an says Allah (﷾) "takes the souls (of men) at death" (39:42). It also says "Our angels take his soul" (6:61). And it says the Angel of Death will take our souls (32:11). These do not clash. Allah (﷾) decrees each death, and no soul dies "except by Allah's leave" (3:145). The Angel of Death is the one commanded to carry it out, and other angels help him. Scholars such as al-Shinqiti explained the verses in this way. The same is true of all the angels' work: the command is Allah's (﷾), and the work is theirs.
“It is Allah that takes the souls (of men) at death; and those that die not (He takes) during their sleep: those on whom He has passed the decree of death, He keeps back (from returning to life), but the rest He sends (to their bodies) for a term appointed verily in this are Signs for those who reflect.”
“He is the irresistible, (watching) from above over His worshippers, and He sets guardians over you. At length, when death approaches one of you, Our angels take his soul, and they never fail in their duty. Then are men returned unto Allah, their protector, the (only) reality: Is not His the command? and He is the swiftest in taking account.”
“Say: "The Angel of Death, put in charge of you, will (duly) take your souls: then shall ye be brought back to your Lord."”
“Nor can a soul die except by Allah's leave, the term being fixed as by writing. If any do desire a reward in this life, We shall give it to him; and if any do desire a reward in the Hereafter, We shall give it to him. And swiftly shall We reward those that (serve us with) gratitude.”
An encyclopedia of Islamic belief lists the angels' tasks with their evidence. Jibril brings the revelation (2:97; 26:192-195). Many scholars say Mika'il is in charge of the rain and directs it wherever Allah commands; the hadith they cite has scholarly reservations. Ibn al-Qayyim wrote that Jibril was appointed to bring the revelation, the life of hearts and souls, and Mika'il the rain, the life of the earth, plants and animals. Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Hajar report scholarly consensus that Israfil will blow the Trumpet (39:68), though no sahih hadith says so. The angel who takes souls is the Angel of Death (32:11); there is no sound evidence that his name is 'Izra'il. Al-Shinqiti explains that taking souls is ascribed to Allah (39:42), to the Angel of Death (32:11) and to the angels (16:32) without contradiction: no one dies but by Allah's leave, the Angel of Death is commanded to take souls, and other angels help him.
Other angels, other tasks
The Qur'an and authentic hadith tell of angels with other tasks. Angels guard each person "by command of Allah" (13:11). Angels write down every deed (82:10-12). An angel is set over each womb, and asks what Allah (﷾) has decreed for the child (Bukhari 318). On the Last Day, "eight will, that Day, bear the Throne" (69:17). Each task is given to them by Allah (﷾). None of them chose it.
“For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession, before and behind him: They guard him by command of Allah. Allah does not change a people's lot unless they change what is in their hearts. But when (once) Allah willeth a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back, nor will they find, besides Him, any to protect.”
“But verily over you (are appointed angels) to protect you,- Kind and honourable,- Writing down (your deeds): They know (and understand) all that ye do.”
Anas ibn Malik reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said Allah appoints an angel over every womb. The angel says: O Lord, a drop; O Lord, a clot; O Lord, a lump of flesh. When Allah wills to complete its creation, the angel asks whether it is male or female, wretched or blessed, and what its provision and its lifespan will be. All this is written while the child is still in its mother's womb.
“And the angels will be on its sides, and eight will, that Day, bear the Throne of thy Lord above them.”
The angel who asked what to do
After the people of Ta'if turned the Prophet (ﷺ) away, Jibril came to him with the Angel of the Mountains. The angel said Allah (﷾) had sent him. He offered to bring two mountains down on those who had rejected the Prophet (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) refused, and hoped their children would worship Allah (﷾) alone (Bukhari 3231). Even this mighty angel came only when sent, and waited for the word.
Aisha asked the Prophet (ﷺ) whether he had known a day harder than Uhud. He named the day he presented his call to Ibn Abd Yalil, a chief of Ta'if, and was turned away. As he left in sorrow, Gabriel came with the Angel of the Mountains, who offered to let the two great mountains fall on those who had rejected him. The Prophet refused and said he hoped that their descendants would worship Allah alone.
If Allah (﷾) runs everything, why does He use angels?
Not because He needs help. The Qur'an says "Allah is the One Free of all wants" (35:15). A king needs ministers because he cannot be everywhere or do everything. Allah (﷾) has no such limit, and He "feeleth no fatigue" (2:255). He chose to give the angels work, as He chose to create everything else. The angels show His order and His power. They are not a gap in it.
“O ye men! It is ye that have need of Allah: but Allah is the One Free of all wants, worthy of all praise.”
“Allah! There is no god but He,-the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).”
The Bible says the same
The Psalms say: "The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all" (Psalm 103:19). The next verse calls on His angels, "that do his commandments" (Psalm 103:20). Here the Bible and the Qur'an agree. God (﷾) rules over all, and the angels obey Him.
“The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”
“And they say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten offspring." Glory to Him! they are (but) servants raised to honour. They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command. He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His (Glory).”
Why it matters: pray to Allah (﷾) alone
No angel runs the world, so Muslims do not pray to angels or ask them for help. The Qur'an says even the angels' "intercession will avail nothing except after Allah has given leave" (53:26). So a Muslim asks Allah (﷾) directly, with no go-between. The Prophet (ﷺ) himself began his night prayer by calling Allah (﷾) the Lord of the greatest angels (Muslim 770).
“How many-so-ever be the angels in the heavens, their intercession will avail nothing except after Allah has given leave for whom He pleases and that he is acceptable to Him.”
Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf asked Aisha how the Prophet (ﷺ) began his prayer when he rose at night. She said he began by calling on Allah as the Lord of Jibril, Mika'il and Israfil, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the Knower of the unseen and the seen, who judges between His servants in what they differ over. He then asked Allah to guide him to the truth where people disagreed, for Allah guides whom He wills to the straight path.
Perspectives
God made the world, then left it
Some say God made the world and then left it to run on its own laws. It keeps going like a clock. Others say nature simply runs itself, with no one in charge.
God set up the laws of nature at the start. Since then the world runs on its own, like a wound-up clock.
Rebuttal
A clock needs something to keep it in being, not only someone to wind it. The laws of nature describe what happens; they do not make anything exist. The Qur'an says it is Allah (﷾) "Who sustains the heavens and the earth, lest they cease (to function)" (35:41). The world depends on Him at every moment, not only at the start. And He never tires of it (2:255).
Satan rules this world
Some Christians say Satan rules this world for now. They point to Jesus, who called him "the prince of this world" (John 12:31). Paul called him "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Jesus called Satan "the prince of this world", so Satan rules the world until the end.
Rebuttal
In the same verse Jesus says "the prince of this world" shall "be cast out" (John 12:31). The Psalms say of God (﷾), "his kingdom ruleth over all" (Psalm 103:19). The Qur'an gives Satan's own words on the Last Day: "I had no authority over you except to call you" (14:22). Satan can whisper and tempt, but he rules nothing.
Paul calls Satan "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Rebuttal
Paul says Satan has blinded "the minds of them which believe not" (2 Corinthians 4:4). That is a power to mislead, not a power to run the world. The Qur'an says the same: Satan has no authority over believers, only over those who take him as their patron (16:99-100).
Three gods share the work
Many Hindus speak of three roles: Brahma creates, Vishnu keeps and Shiva destroys. The Vishnu Purana says one god takes these three names as he creates, preserves or destroys.
The Vishnu Purana says the one god Janardana takes the names Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva as he creates, preserves or destroys.
Rebuttal
Its translator, H. H. Wilson, noted that each Purana names a different god as that one. In the Vishnu Purana it is Vishnu; in the Linga Purana it is Shiva. So the scriptures do not agree on who runs the world. The Qur'an says that if there were other gods, "there would have been confusion in both" the heavens and the earth (21:22). One order points to one Lord.
The Islamic perspective
Allah (﷾) alone runs the world, at every moment. The angels, the archangels among them, carry out His commands and never act on their own.
The Qur'an says Allah (﷾) rules all affairs from the heavens to the earth.
The Qur'an says Allah (﷾) holds the heavens and the earth in being, and never tires or sleeps.
The Qur'an says the angels act only by His command.
The Prophet (ﷺ) called Allah (﷾) the Lord of Jibril, Mika'il and Israfil.
The Qur'an names Jibril and Mika'il, and says Jibril brings the revelation.
Many scholars say Mika'il is in charge of the rain, and scholars widely agree that Israfil will blow the Trumpet.
The Qur'an says Allah (﷾), the Angel of Death and the angels all take souls. Allah (﷾) decrees, and the angels carry it out.