Salam everyone, hope your all good.

I was asked two questions, I do not think the answer I gave was sufficient, and I myself am looking forwards to learn the right answer to such questions.

The first question was how many angels of death are there, the answer is one right. Then I was asked, so how does he take the lives of so many people at one time?

I did not answer that question because I honestly got no idea, never have questioned that far, I wanted to reply only Allah knows but I am guessing that would have not been adequate.

Question two, well, was not a question but more of a personal view, it was something like this �Islam leaves no room for doubt�. For example questioning the existence of so and so, or the truth of so and so.

I hope you all understand what I mean for the second question, if not, I will try explain further.

Like in general, what is the approach on having doubt?

Also regarding this, there are things I have been told we should refrain from debating, or arguing, questioning, whatever you want to call it. I would like to know the reason for this, for future references.

As'Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

May Allah swt reward you for posting these questions. Am sure, this discussion shall be help all of us to understand it in a deeper sense.

Regarding the Angel of death

Here is a verse, " Say: "The angel of death, who is set over you, will take your souls. Then you shall be brought to your Lord.'' . 

This ayah tells us that a specific angel is set over to take our souls. Different hadiths narrate that the angel of death has helpers along with him.. It was reported in the Hadith that his helpers draw out the soul from the rest of the body until it reaches the throat, then the angel of death takes it.

Here's an other verse

"He is the Irresistible over His servants, and He sends guardians (angels) over you, until when death approaches one of you, Our messengers (angel of death and his assistants) take his soul, and they never neglect their duty. Then they are returned to Allah, their true Protector. Surely, for Him is the judgement and He is the swiftest in taking account."

(Our messengers take his soul...) meaning, there are angels who are responsible for this job. Ibn `Abbas and several others said that the Angel of Death has angels who pull the soul from its body and when it reaches the throat, the Angel of Death captures it.

(and they never neglect their duty.) They guard the soul of the dead person and take it to wherever Allah wills, to `Illiyyin if he was among the righteous, and to Sijjin if he was among the wicked (disbelievers, sinners, etc.), we seek refuge with Allah from this end. 

"Seek refuge with Allah from the punishment of the grave."

 He said next When a believing slave is reaching the end of his term in the life of this world and the beginning of his term in the Hereafter, a group of angels, whose faces are white and as radiant as the sun, will descend onto him from heaven.

They will carry with them white shroud from Paradise, and fragrance for enshrouding from Paradise. They will sit as far from him as the sight goes. Then, the angel of death, will come until he sits right next to his head, saying, "O, good and pure soul! Depart (your body) to Allah's forgiveness and pleasure.'' So the soul flows (out of its body), just as the drop flows out from the tip of the jug, and the angel of death captures it. When he captures the soul, they (the group of angels) will not leave it with him for more than an instance, and they will seize it and wrap it in that shroud, and in that fragrance. A most pleasant musk scent ever found on the earth, will flow out of the soul, and the angels will ascend it (to heaven). They will not pass by, but they will say, "Whose is this Tayyib (good) soul'' They (the angels who are ascending the soul) will reply, "Such person, the son of such and such person,'' -- calling him by the best names that he used to be called in the world. They will reach the lower heaven and will ask that its door be opened for him, and it will be opened for them. The best residents of every heaven will then see him to the next heaven, until he is brought to the seventh heaven. Allah, the Exalted and Ever High, will say, "List my servants record in `Illiyyin and send him back to earth, for I have created them from it, and into it I shall return them, and from it I shall bring them out once again.'' The soul will be joined with its body, and two angels will come to him, sit him up and ask him, "Who is your Lord'' He will say, "Allah is my Lord.'' They will ask him, "What is your religion''

He will say, "My religion is Islam.'' They will say to him, "What do you say about this man (Prophet Muhammad) who was sent to you'' He will say, "He is the Messenger of Allah.'' They will ask him, "And what proof do you have about it'' He will say, "I read the Book of Allah (the Qur'an), and had faith and belief in him.'' Then, a caller (Allah) will herald from heaven, "My servant has said the truth. Therefore, furnish him from Paradise, and let him wear from (the clothes of) Paradise, and open a door for him to Paradise.'' So he is given from Paradise's tranquillity and good scent, and his grave will be expanded for him as far as his sight can reach. Then, a man, with a handsome face and handsome clothes and whose scent is pleasant, will come to him, saying, "Receive the glad tidings with that which pleases you. This is the Day which you were promised.'' He will ask him, "Who are you; for yours is the face that carries the good news'' He will reply, "I am your good works.'' He will say, "O Lord! Hurry up with the commencement of the Hour, hurry up with the commencement of the Hour, so I can return to my family and my wealth.''

You must have noticed in this hadith that  Angel of death has got helpers along with him. I pasted this whole hadith as a reminder for all of us. All the above , tell us that its Angel of death who finally captures our soul. Now your  friend's question, as how is it possible to capture so many souls at one time. For that, you second part of the question needs  to be answered. Right now, we need to believe in and have faith of this process as descibed in the verses and  hadiths.

Regarding questioning :

Islam does not stops us from asking questions brother. Infact there is a verse which says , " ------ ask the people  who know, if you do not know "  I don't remember the exact verse.

But yes, unnecessary questioning is prohibited in Islam

"O you who believe! Ask not about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble. But if you ask about them while the Qur'an is being revealed, they will be made plain to you" (5:101).

The Two Sahihs recorded that Al-Mughirah bin Shu`bah said that the Messenger of Allah "Forbade saying, `It was said' and `He said,' and wasting money and asking many questions.''

 Muslim recorded that the Prophet said, " Leave me as I leave you; those before you were only destroyed because of their excessive questioning and disputing with their Prophets. Therefore, when I command you with a matter, adhere to it as much as you can, and when I forbid from something, avoid it"

It makes us clear that unncessary questions and excessive questioning is disliked in Islam. Even when the facts are made simple and easy  to understand, people come up with doubts intentionally. Few things like how Allah swt looks like, or matters related to unseen like throne of Allah, Hand of Allah  -- etc requires belief and faith in Allah swt completely. They are not be questioned. They are beyond our understanding.  Take for example, regarding how angel of death capture many souls at once, does not require an answer. Even if we know how it happens, that would not make a difference.

Otherwise, questioning is encouraged in Islam to increase our knowledge and other good intentions for the sake of Allah swt. May Allah swt guide your friend and all of us too.

Am sure our other members shall answer you better. I myselves is n't satisfied with my answer.

Thank you so much brother  I think that was a very good response, i will forward it on.

Thank you again, take care of yourself.

39:42 It is Allah that takes the souls (of men) at death; and those that die not (He takes) during their sleep: those on whom He has passed the decree of death, He keeps back (from returning to life), but the rest He sends (to their bodies) for a term appointed verily in this are Signs for those who reflect.

Thank you all  much appreciated.