Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
Mocking the angels or belittling them is a serious matter, because believing in them is one of the pillars of faith. The statement mentioned contains an inappropriate meaning regarding the Angel of Death, as it suggests that he takes people’s souls out of personal vengeance or retaliation, whereas he only does what Allah commands him to do. According to the original fatwa, the person who uttered this statement should repent to Allah, seek His forgiveness, renew the two testimonies of faith, and resolve not to return to such joking.
A person may utter a word jokingly without realizing how serious it is. Therefore, the Prophet ﷺ warned against being careless with speech.
He ﷺ said:
“A servant may utter a word without considering its consequences, and because of it he falls into the Fire farther than the distance between the east.”
Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
The fact that something was said as a joke does not mean that everything said in jest is permissible.
The Angel of Death is one of Allah’s servants. He is entrusted with taking souls according to Allah’s command and decree. He does not have any personal grudge or desire for revenge against anyone.
Allah تعالى says:
“Say: The Angel of Death who has been entrusted with you will take your souls, then to your Lord you will be returned.”
[Al-Sajdah: 11]
And He سبحانه says:
“Until, when death comes to one of you, Our messengers take his soul, and they do not neglect their duty.”
[Al-An‘am: 61]
Thus, the angels carry out what Allah commands them, and death occurs at the appointed time decreed by Allah.
The scholars have stated that genuine mockery of one of Allah’s angels or belittling him is disbelief, because the angels are among Allah’s signs and His honored servants whom Muslims are required to believe in and honor as Allah has commanded.
The scholars cited the statement of Allah:
“Say: Was it Allah, His verses, and His Messenger that you were mocking? Do not make excuses; you have disbelieved after your belief.”
[Al-Tawbah: 65–66]
Ibn Hazm and other scholars are also reported to have taken a very strict position concerning one who insults or mocks the angels.
However, it is important to distinguish between stating the ruling on an act or statement in general and declaring a specific individual to be a disbeliever. Declaring a particular person to be a disbeliever has conditions and impediments and involves details that should be referred to qualified scholars.
The statement mentioned is inappropriate regarding the status of the Angel of Death. Therefore, it should not be repeated or used in similar jokes.
According to the original fatwa, the person who said it should:
Repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness.
Regret what he said and resolve never to return to it.
Renew the testimony of faith.
Increase his righteous deeds.
Allah سبحانه وتعالى accepts the sincere repentance of those who repent to Him.
Joking in a way that genuinely mocks the angels is extremely serious, and mocking them is one of the things that contradict faith, as stated by the scholars. The statement mentioned contains an inappropriate meaning regarding the Angel of Death; therefore, one should repent from it and never return to similar expressions.
The Angel of Death does not take souls out of vengeance or retaliation. Rather, he is “the Angel of Death who has been entrusted with you,” carrying out Allah’s command and decree.
And Allah knows best.