We  may  deem  sufficient  the  detailed  explanations  in  the  treatises  we  have written; that is, the twelve principles in the Third Branch of the Twenty-Fourth Word, and in the Fourth Branch; and in one of the principles in the Introduction in the Nineteenth  Letter about the sorts of revelation;  and here indicate only briefly that truth. It is as follows:

The angels are not restricted to a having single form like human beings; although they are individual beings, they are also universals. Azra’il (Upon whom be peace) is the supervisor of the angels who are charged with taking possession of the spirits of the dying.

Q u e s t i o n : “Does Azra’il (UWP) himself take possession of them, or do his helpers do this?”

There are three “ways” in this matter:

The First Way: Azra’il (Upon whom be peace) takes possession of every dying person’s spirit. Nothing is an obstacle to another, for he is luminous. Something luminous can be present in innumerable places by means innumerable mirrors and appear in them. The similitudes of luminous beings possess their characteristics; they may be deemed the same as them and not other than them. The sun’s image in mirrors displays it’s light and heat. Similarly, the images of such spirit beings as the angels in the various mirrors of the World of Similitudes are the same as them; they display their characteristics. But they are represented in accordance with the capacities of the mirrors. The same instant Gabriel (Upon whom be peace) appeared before the Companions  in the form of Dihya, he appeared in different  forms in thousands of places and was prostrating with his magnificent  wings, which stretch from east to west, before the divine throne. His similitude was everywhere in accordance with the place’s capacity; at the same instant he was present in thousands of places.