and at once they will be standing, looking on (Az-Zumar 39:68).
The souls will burst forth from that very horn, from that Trumpet, and then every soul will return to the body it inhabited in the worldly life, not missing so much as a single hair, by Allah’s command.
Thus each of these three angels is entrusted with a sphere of life: Gabriel with what gives life to hearts, Michael with what gives life to the earth and its vegetation, and Israfil with what gives life to bodies.
For this reason the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—would praise Allah as Lord of these three angels when opening the night prayer. Instead of saying, “Glory be to You, O Allah, and with Your praise,” he would say:
“O Allah, Lord of Gabriel, Michael and Israfil, Originator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, You judge between Your servants concerning that over which they differ; guide me, by Your permission, to the truth regarding that over which they differ, for surely You guide whom You will to a straight path.”
Among the angels is the one appointed to seize souls—the Angel of Death. He has helpers who assist him in this task, and they come down with a shroud and perfume for the soul that departs the body—if the deceased is among the people of faith, may Allah make us among them—for they descend with a shroud from