Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Badat
Question:
Are these two narrations reliable and authentic?
The ḥadīth of Abū Hurayrah: The angel of death will say to Allāh, ”O Allāh, all those who are in the heaven and those who are in the dunyā, they have come to an end except who you wish to remain alive O Allāh. Allāh will say, “Who remains?” The angel will say, “O Allāh, Jibrīl remains, Mikāil remains, Isrāfīl remains and all the angels who are carrying your throne remain.” Allāh the Almighty will say, “Let death come to Jibrīl, let death come to Mikāīl, let death come to Isrāfīl and let death come to angels who are carrying my throne,” Allāh will say, “Who remains?” Allah will say to the angel of death, “Who remains?” The angel will say, “O Allāh, I remain, you remain, no one else remains.” Then Allāh will say, “I created you for a purpose, you have fulfilled your purpose, you will also die.” and he will die. Allāh, the Almighty will roll up all the heavens in his hand, he will roll up all the worlds in his hand and Allāh will raise his voice and Allāh will say, “I am the Almighty Allāh! I am the Almighty Allāh! For whom is the divine rule today? For whom is the power today? For whom is the kingdom today? I am the king of all kings! Where are your dictators? Where are you oppressors?” No one will answer, Allāh Himself will answer and say, “Power is for Allāh, might is for Allāh, The One, The irresistible.”
The ḥadīth, ‘Azrāīl (may Allāh be pleased with him) is in charge of taking the spirits of the living beings. After taking the spirits of all human beings and other living beings, he will take his own spirit by the order of Allāh. When he takes his own spirit in the end, he produces such a sound that it exceeds the skies and goes to the earth.
Answer:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for contacting Mathabah Institute.
Although the first specific narration you reference of Abū Hurayrah (may Allāh be pleased with him) is not authentic, the message in it is supported by verses of the Qur’ān and also authentic prophetic reports. Some are mentioned below:
“The Day they come forth nothing concerning them will be concealed from Allāh. To whom belongs [all] sovereignty this Day? To Allāh, the One, the Prevailing.” – (Qur’ān 40:16)
‘Abd Allāh Ibn ‘Omar reported Allāh’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Allāh, the Exalted and Glorious, will fold the heavens on Judgment Day and then He will place them on His right hand and say, “I am the Lord; where are the haughty and where are the proud people [today]? He will fold the earth [placing it] on the left hand and saying, “I am the Lord; where are the haughty and where are the proud people [today]?” – (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2788)
I have not come across any authentic prophetic report that talks about the severe sound of the angel of death, when he experiences his own death.
Only Allāh knows best
– سورة غافر ١٦ يَوْمَ هُم بَارِزُونَ لَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنْهُمْ شَيْءٌ لِّمَنِ الْمُلْكُ الْيَوْمَ لِلَّهِ الْوَاحِدِ الْقَهَّارِ
عَنْ سَالِمِ، بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَخْبَرَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ يَطْوِي اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ السَّمَوَاتِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ثُمَّ يَأْخُذُهُنَّ بِيَدِهِ الْيُمْنَى ثُمَّ يَقُولُ أَنَا الْمَلِكُ أَيْنَ الْجَبَّارُونَ أَيْنَ الْمُتَكَبِّرُونَ ثُمَّ يَطْوِي الأَرَضِينَ بِشِمَالِهِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ أَنَا الْمَلِكُ أَيْنَ الْجَبَّارُونَ أَيْنَ الْمُتَكَبِّرُونَ – رواه مسلم ٢٧٨٨
