In some cultures and sects, Azrael (also pronounced as ʿIzrāʾīl /Azriel) is the name referring to the Angel of Death by some Arabic speakers. The name is mentioned in a few Muslim books although some Muslims argue that it has no basis of reference.[citation needed] Along with Jibrīl, Mīkhā'īl, Isrāfīl and other angels, the Angel of Death is believed by Muslims to be one of the archangels.[6] The Qur'an states that the angel of death takes the soul of every person and returns it to God.[7] However, the Qur'an makes it clear that only God knows when and where each person will be taken by death,.[8] Several Muslim traditions recount meetings between the Angel of Death and the prophets, the most famous being a conversation between the Angel of Death and Moses.[6] He watches over the dying, separates the soul from the body, and receives the spirits of the dead in Muslim belief. Rather than merely representing death personified, the Angel of Death is usually described in Islamic sources as subordinate to the will of God "with the most profound reverence."[9] However, there is no reference within the Qur'an or any Islamic teachings giving the angel of death the name of Azrael.
Some have also disputed the usage of the name Azrael as it is not used in the Qur'an itself.[citation needed] However, the same can be said about many Prophets and angels who are also not mentioned by name in the Qur'an.
Riffian (Amazigh) men of Morocco had the custom of shaving the head but leaving a single lock of hair on either the crown, left, or right side of the head, so that the angel Azrael is able "to pull them up to heaven on the Last Day."[10]