The story of the angels recording the deeds of humans - in the Quran

In Islamic belief, the story of angels recording the deeds of humans is based on various verses of the Quran. According to Islamic tradition, Allah has appointed two angels, known as Kiraman Katibin, to record every deed a person does throughout their life. These angels sit on the right and left shoulders of a person, and they record every good or bad action, word, and thought that the person does.

The Quran mentions the concept of these recording angels in several verses. For example, in Chapter 50, Verse 16, the Quran says, "And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein." This verse suggests that Allah is aware of every thought that a person has, including their innermost desires and intentions.

In Chapter 82, Verses 10-12, the Quran says, "But verily, over you (are appointed angels in charge of mankind) to watch you, Kiraman (honourable) Katibin, writing down (your deeds), they know all that you do." These verses emphasize the role of the recording angels in monitoring and recording a person's actions.

The belief in the recording angels serves as a reminder to Muslims that their actions are being watched and recorded, and that they will be accountable for their deeds in the afterlife. It also emphasizes the importance of striving to do good and avoid evil, as every action will be accounted for in the afterlife.


There is no specific number of verses that mention the story of angels recording the deeds of humans in the Quran, as the concept is mentioned in various places throughout the scripture. However, the general idea of angels being appointed by Allah to watch over and record human deeds is referenced in several verses of the Quran, including but not limited to:

Surah Al-An'am, verse 61: "And He is the subjugator over His servants, and He sends over you guardian-angels until, when death comes to one of you, Our messengers take him, and they do not fail [in their duties]."

Surah Al-Infitar, verses 10-12: "And [for] every person We have imposed his fate upon his neck, and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will encounter spread open. [It will be said], "Read your record. Sufficient is yourself against you this Day as accountant.""

Surah Al-Kahf, verse 49: "And the record [of deeds] will be placed [open], and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, "Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?" And they will find what they did present [before them]. And your Lord does injustice to no one."

These verses and others like them emphasize the belief in the recording angels and the importance of good deeds as they will be accounted for in the afterlife.

Surah Qaf, verse 18: "And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein."

Surah Al-Hajj, verse 10: "That is because Allah is the Truth, and because He gives life to the dead, and because He is over all things competent, And [that they may know] that the Hour is coming - no doubt about it - and that Allah will resurrect those in the graves."

Surah Al-Muddaththir, verses 10-12: "And [during] the night, then also prostrate to Him; and exalt Him a long [part of the] night. Indeed, these [disbelievers] love the immediate and leave behind them a grave Day."

Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 18: "Indeed, Allah knows the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Seeing of what you do."

These verses and others like them emphasize the belief in the recording angels and the importance of living a righteous life, as Allah is aware of every deed a person does, whether it is good or bad.

Surah Al-An'am, verse 93: "And who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allah or says, "It has been inspired to me," while nothing has been inspired to him, and one who says, "I will reveal [something] like what Allah revealed." And if you could but see when the wrongdoers are in the overwhelming pangs of death while the angels extend their hands, [saying], "Discharge your souls! Today you will be awarded the punishment of [extreme] humiliation for what you used to say untruthfully about Allah, and [that] you were, toward His verses, being arrogant."

Surah Al-Qamar, verses 48-50: "Indeed, We have eased the Qur'an in your tongue that they might be reminded. So watch, [O Muhammad]; indeed, they are watching [for your end]."

Surah Al-A'la, verses 15-17: "No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock - A lying, sinning forelock. Then let him call his associates; We will call the angels of Hell."

These verses and others like them emphasize the belief in the recording angels and the importance of being truthful and living a righteous life, as Allah is aware of every deed a person does, and they will be held accountable for their actions in the afterlife.

Surah Al-Isra, verse 14: "And We have made [each] man's [deeds] in his neck, and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will encounter spread open."

Surah Al-Zilzal, verses 7-8: "So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it."

Surah Al-Haqqah, verses 17-19: "And what can make you know what the Day of Recompense is? Then, what can make you know what the Day of Recompense is? It is the Day when a soul will not possess for another soul [power to do] a thing; and the command, that Day, is [entirely] with Allah."

These verses, along with others already mentioned, emphasize the belief in the recording angels and the idea that every deed a person does, whether good or bad, is recorded and will be presented to them on the Day of Judgment.

Surah Al-Kahf, verse 49: "And the record [of deeds] will be placed [open], and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, "Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?" And they will find what they did present [before them]. And your Lord does injustice to no one."

Surah Al-Furqan, verse 29: "He [Allah] will say, "Enter among nations which had passed on before you of jinn and mankind into the Fire." Every time a nation enters, it will curse its sister until, when they have all overtaken one another therein, the last of them will say about the first of them, "Our Lord, these had misled us, so give them a double punishment of the Fire. He will say, "For each is double, but you do not know."

Surah Al-Infitar, verses 5-10: "O mankind, indeed you are laboring toward your Lord with [great] exertion and will meet it. Then as for he who is given his record in his right hand, He will be judged with an easy account and return to his people in happiness. But as for he who is given his record behind his back, He will cry out for destruction and [enter to] burn in a Blaze. Indeed, he had [once] been among his people in happiness."

These verses, along with others already mentioned, emphasize the belief in the recording angels and the idea that every person will be held accountable for their deeds on the Day of Judgment. It is important for individuals to strive to do good deeds and avoid committing sins, knowing that their actions are being recorded by the angels.

Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 18: "Indeed, Allah knows the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Seeing of what you do."

Surah Al-Qamar, verse 52: "Indeed, the Day of Judgment is an appointed time - the Day when the horn is blown and you will come forth in multitudes and the heaven is opened and will become gateways and the mountains are moved and will be [but] a mirage."

Surah Al-Insan, verse 10: "Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds - for them will be gardens beneath which rivers flow. That is the great attainment."

These verses, along with others already mentioned, emphasize the belief in the recording angels and the idea that every person will be held accountable for their deeds on the Day of Judgment. It is important for individuals to strive to do good deeds and avoid committing sins, knowing that their actions are being recorded by the angels.

Surah Al-An'am, verse 94: "And when you see them, their forms please you, and if they speak, you listen to their speech. [They are] as if they were pieces of wood propped up - they think that every shout is against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?"

Surah Al-Nahl, verse 61: "And if Allah were to impose blame on the people for their wrongdoing, He would not have left upon the earth any creature, but He defers them for a specified term. And when their time comes, they will not remain behind an hour, nor will they precede [it]."

Surah Al-Anfal, verse 30: "And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners."

These verses, along with others already mentioned, emphasize the belief in the recording angels and the idea that every person will be held accountable for their deeds on the Day of Judgment. It is important for individuals to strive to do good deeds and avoid committing sins, knowing that their actions are being recorded by the angels.

In summary, the Quran teaches that every person has two angels who record their good and bad deeds throughout their lives. These angels are known as Kiraman Katibin, or the "honorable scribes." The concept of recording angels is mentioned in several verses of the Quran, including Surah Al-Infitar, Surah Al-Kahf, Surah Al-Takwir, and Surah Al-Zalzalah. The belief in recording angels serves as a reminder for individuals to be mindful of their actions, as they will be held accountable for them on the Day of Judgment. The Quran emphasizes the importance of doing good deeds and avoiding sins, as these actions will be recorded and will determine a person's fate in the afterlife.

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