Who takes away the souls at the time of death?

[Ruhi_Rose]

This is an important clarification, so please read carefully.  It is regarding Verses 39:42 and 4:97.  The reason I decided to put this post was because some shallow readers with limited knowledge about spirituality or those with bias minds may think these two Verses to be contradictory.  Of course NOT.  They are very much in conformity with each other. 

In verse 39:42, Allah says that it is He who takes the souls away at the time of death.

اللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى الْأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا

Allah receives (men's) souls at the time of their death, (30:42)


In verse 4:97 it is mentioned that angels take the souls away during the time of death.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَوَفَّاهُمُ الْمَلآئِكَةُ ظَالِمِي
أَنْفُسِهِمْ 

 Indeed! as for those whom the angels take (in death) while they wrong themselves,  (4:97)      

Some unreflective minds also say that it is shirk to say angels take away the souls while few say that these Verses are "contradictory."   Both views are totally wrong.  It is neither shirk nor a contradiction, but when Allah says that He takes the souls away, it automatically means the angels are sent to take the soul by HIS command.  Without orders from Allah Almighty, the angels are not able to do anything.  The angels come to take the souls of humans and living beings at the specific time that has been ordained and decided by Allah.  He gives the decree to the angels to get the soul of the person for whom He has ordained death at that particular moment. 

[Zainab_M]

Good point to clarify sister.   It's astonishing how closed minded many people can be while reading the Quran.  They just don't use their common sense.  And in the case of slanderers, they purposely won't reflect. 

Thanks for this Sister Ruhi.  Salaams and peace.