Riḍwan
Angel in Islam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Riḍwān (or Rızvan , Arabic: رضوان), is an angel in Islam, who guards the gates of the garden. The name Riḍwān likely derives from a late personifying exegetical reading of the common Quran’ic term “riḍwān” meaning “favor/goodwill”; which is used when speaking about the garden in Qur’an 3:15 “riḍwānun minna Allah” meaning “favor from God”.[1][2] The first extant mentions of his name being that of the angel still named Ismāʿīl by Ibn Hisham are found in 10th-century reports. From thereon this name has been a common feature of stories, reports, and exegesis particularly Mi'raj narrations.[3][4] Ridwan also plays an important role as the guardian of heaven in the Qisas Al-Anbiya, here he must prevent Iblis from entering the keep of Adam, but was tricked by a serpent, who concealed Iblis in his mouth, carrying him past the guardian.[5]
