Hadrat Malak al-Mawt (Alayhis Salam), the Angel of Death, is one of the four greatest archangels in Islam. He is entrusted by Allah with taking the souls of all living beings at their appointed time. He is referred to in the Holy Quran: 'Say: The Angel of Death, who has been charged with you, will take your souls; then to your Lord you will be returned' (Surah al-Sajdah 32:11). He commands subordinate angels who assist in the task of taking souls. According to Islamic tradition, he takes the souls of the believers gently and with mercy, while the souls of the disbelievers are taken with severity.