The Noble Scribes (Kiram al-Katibin)

The Kiram Katibin ('the noble scribes') are the two angels assigned to every human being to record their deeds, words, and actions. One stands on the right (recording good deeds), the other on the left (bad deeds). The Quran clearly evokes them: nothing we do or say escapes their record. On the Day of Judgement, this record will be presented to each person.

THEIR QURANIC NAME — God says: 'your deeds are indeed being recorded by honourable scribes (kiraman katibin), who know whatever you do' (82:10-12). It is from this verse that their name comes.

THE TWO ANGELS, RIGHT AND LEFT — The Quran specifies their positioning: 'when the two recorders sitting on his right and left record his deeds, he does not utter a single word without having a vigilant observer present' (50:17-18). According to the scholars' understanding, the one on the right records good deeds, the one on the left bad ones.

NOTHING ESCAPES — The theme recurs forcefully in the Quran: 'Our messengers are with them, recording everything' (43:80); 'There is no human being without a watcher over them' (86:4). Every word, every act, is noted.

GUARDIANS AND SCRIBES — The Quran also presents them as protectors: 'For each person, there are successive angels before and behind, protecting them by Allah's command' (13:11). They protect AND record, relieving one another constantly.

THE RECORD AT JUDGEMENT — What the scribes have recorded throughout a lifetime will be presented to each person on the Day of Judgement: 'The records will be laid open' (cf. 17:13-14, 'Read your record!'). This is the account each person will have to acknowledge.

Their existence and function are solidly Quranic (82:10-12, 50:17-18, 13:11, 43:80, 86:4). The detail 'the one on the right records good, the one on the left bad' is the view of the exegetes, supported by traditions. A widespread account says the left angel waits before recording a bad deed (allowing a delay for repentance), while the right angel records good deeds immediately: this detail comes from hadiths of variable degrees and is reported as such, not as a certainty.

The Kiram Katibin remind the believer that their entire life is observed and recorded — not to frighten them, but to invite self-awareness. Knowing that no word or act is lost encourages uprightness in private as in public. It is also a consolation: the good one does, even unknown to people, is written before God and will never be forgotten.

par de nobles scribes, des anges honorés, connaissant les actes que vous accomplissez

82:11

Il ne prononce, en effet, aucun mot sans avoir à ses côtés un ange prêt à le consigner.

50:18