Kiraman Katibin
Angels who record every human deed, good and evil.
In Islamic belief, the Kiraman Katibin are two angels assigned to each person, responsible for recording their daily actions. One angel, positioned on the right, writes down good deeds, while the other, on the left, records bad deeds. These angels are mentioned in several Quranic verses, including Surah 6:61, 13:11, 50:17-18, and 82:10-12, with further details provided in hadith and commentary. According to a tradition from Ibn Abbas, recorded by al-Tabari and quoted by al-Suyuti, the Kiraman Katibin are never absent from a person except during three states: defecation, ritual impurity (najis), and bathing.
Hadith often highlight God’s mercy in their work. One tradition states that a good deed is recorded as ten times its value. Another, from al-Tabarani and preserved by al-Albani, says the angels delay recording a sin for six hours; if the person repents within that time, the record is cancelled, but if not, it is written down. The angels only record actions actually performed, not mere thoughts. A hadith qudsi instructs: "When My servant wants to do an evil deed, do not record it against him until he does it."
- Field
- Islamic angelology
- Known for
- Recording every action of a person each day
Lore & Background
The Kiraman Katibin are a pair of angels assigned to each person. One angel is figuratively seated on the right side and records all good deeds, while the other is seated on the left side and records all bad deeds. Their work is to write down and record every action of a person each day. According to hadith transmitted from Ibn Abbas and recorded by al-Tabari, these angels are never absent from a person except on three occasions: when the person defecates, when in a state of najis (ritual impurity), and during a bath. The angels are tasked only to write down actual actions, not actions a person only thought about. A hadith qudsi states that when a servant wants to do an evil deed, the angels do not record it against him until he does it.
Reader's Guide
The Kiraman Katibin hold a central place in Islamic theology as the recorders of human deeds, emphasizing divine accountability and mercy. Their role is mentioned in several Quranic surahs, including 6:61, 13:11, 50:17-18, and 82:10-12, with details primarily found in commentary on 13:11. Hadiths about these angels often highlight God's mercy. According to one hadith mentioned by al-Suyuti, a good action is written down ten times. A hadith from al-Tabarani, also recorded by al-Albani, states that the Kiraman Katibin suspend recording a sin for six hours; if the person repents within that time, the angels abort the record of the deed, but if not, they record it. This mechanism underscores the importance of repentance and divine leniency. The angels' constant presence—except during specific states of impurity—reinforces the idea that every action is observed and recorded, shaping the believer's awareness of moral conduct. Their function serves as a reminder of the afterlife's judgment, where these records will be presented.
Did You Know?
- The Kiraman Katibin are mentioned in Quranic surahs 6:61, 13:11, 50:17-18, and 82:10-12.
- One angel records good deeds on the right side, the other records bad deeds on the left side.
- According to a hadith, the angels suspend recording a sin for six hours to allow for repentance.
- The angels are absent only during defecation, a state of najis, and during a bath.
More in Classes of angels 1-20
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