Short answer
Islam has no fixed term for "archangels", but scholars name four great angels: Jibril, who brings revelation; Mikail, over rain and provision; Israfil, who blows the Horn; and the Angel of Death. The name "Azrael" for the Angel of Death is not in the Quran or the sahih hadith.
Belief in all the angels is fard as part of iman, and belief in the named ones specifically. Maturidi creed teaches that the messengers among humans are higher than the messengers among angels, and the messenger angels such as Jibril are higher than ordinary believers.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
The Quran and hadith name a few angels and describe the work of others. Scholars single out four as the greatest:
- Jibril (Gabriel), "the Trustworthy Spirit" who brought the Quran down (26:193) and brought revelation to every prophet.
- Mikail (Michael), named with Jibril in 2:98. Commentators say he is entrusted with rain and plants.
- Israfil, named by the Prophet ﷺ in his night dua. Scholars identify him as the angel who will blow the Horn at the end of the world (39:68).
- The Angel of Death (malak al-mawt), who takes the souls "entrusted" to him (32:11). The name 'Izra'il or Azrael is common in Muslim speech, but it comes from later reports, not from the Quran or a sahih hadith.
Other angels are named too: Malik, the keeper of Hell (43:77); Harut and Marut, sent at Babylon (2:102); and Munkar and Nakir, who question the dead in the grave. Ridwan as the name of the keeper of Paradise is popular, but it is known from weaker reports. See Harut and Marut and the questions in the grave.
None of these angels acts on his own. Each does exactly what Allah commands (66:6). Muslims do not pray to them or seek their help as intermediaries; you ask Allah directly. Learning their names and duties is part of the article of faith in the angels, explained in the six articles of faith.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Ash-Shu'araa 26:193
نَزَلَ بِهِ ٱلرُّوحُ ٱلْأَمِينُ ﴿١٩٣﴾
The Trustworthy Spirit has brought it down
Describes Jibril as the one who brought down the Quran.
Quran, Surah As-Sajda 32:11
۞ قُلْ يَتَوَفَّىٰكُم مَّلَكُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ٱلَّذِى وُكِّلَ بِكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ ﴿١١﴾
Say, "The angel of death will take you who has been entrusted with you. Then to your Lord you will be returned."
Names the Angel of Death by his role, without a personal name.
Quran, Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:77
وَنَادَوْا۟ يَٰمَٰلِكُ لِيَقْضِ عَلَيْنَا رَبُّكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّٰكِثُونَ ﴿٧٧﴾
And they will call, "O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us!" He will say, "Indeed, you will remain."
Names Malik, the keeper of Hell.
Sahih Muslim 770
Sahih... اللهم رب جبرائيل وميكائيل وإسرافيل فاطر السموات والأرض ...
"O Allah, Lord of Jibril, Mikail and Israfil, Creator of the heavens and the earth."
Names three of the four great angels together.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Sharh al-Aqa'id al-Nasafiyya (al-Taftazani), Section on the superiority of the messengers of humans and angels. Sets out the Maturidi ranking of prophets, messenger angels and believers.
- Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Commentary on Surah al-Sajdah, verse 11. Discusses the Angel of Death and the reports about his name.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.