Munkar and Nakīr

angel
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Munkar
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites

Munkar and Nakīr, in Islāmic eschatology, two angels who test the faith of the dead in their tombs. After death, the deceased is placed upright in the grave by Munkar and Nakīr and asked to identify Muḥammad. The righteous will know that he is the messenger of God (rasūl Allāh) and be allowed to rest in peace until the Judgment Day. Infidels and sinners, however, not being able to reply, will be beaten by the two angels every day except Friday for as long as God deems necessary.