Zabaniyah

In Islam the Zabaniyah (الزبانية) (also spelled Zebani) are the tormentors of the sinners in hell. They appear namely in the Quran in verse . Identified with the Nineteen Angels of Hell in and , they are further called "angels of punishment", the "Guardians of Hell", "wardens of hell", and "angels of hell". Some consider the zabaniya to be the hell's angels' subordinates. As angels, the zabaniyah are, despite their gruesome appearance and actions, ultimately subordinative to God (Allah), and thus their punishment is considered just. The etymological origin of the term is unclear. Some scholars consider zabaniyah to refer to a class of Arabian demons. Others argue that they designated a group of angels conducting the souls of the dead and throwing the sinners into hell. The idea of punishing angels goes back the Hebrew Bible and are further attested in apocrypha. The word Zabaniyah may have been derived from the syriac shabbāyā. Ephrem used this term for angels who conduct the souls after death. Alternatively, it has been argued the term might have denoted a class of pre-Islamic demons. Al-Khansa is said to have written a poet mentioning zabaniya. Similar to the jinn, they would ride on animals (eagles). Another suggestion attributes the origin to rabbāniyya referring to the lords angelic council. Since none of the older codices of the Quran (Mus'haf) contain variants of this term, it is unlikely it has been changed over time. Another theory holds that this term may derive from Sumerian zi.ba.an.na ("The Scales") and Assyrian zibanitu (also referring to scales). However, Ibn Kathir has his commentary quoting Quran Al-Muddaththir, that the guardians of hells are only from angel race, none other. Al-Mubarrad suggested, zabāniya could derive from the idea of movement and the Zabaniyah are those who "push somebody [back]". Quran exegete Qatada ibn Di'ama states that the term is used for policemen. Although it is true that the term is sometimes associated with earthly state's agents, this is a post-Quranic development.