Question:

Missionaries argue that an angel would not choke someone or be violent, and so the “angel” that Muslims believe to be Gabriel was actually a demon. Some claim this was a demon parading as an angel because of this act of choking. What can we say to them?

Answer:

You can advise them to study their Bible(s) more often. If acting violent means that an Angel is actually a demon, or that the one being hurt by the Angel is evil, what happens to the story of the Angel (of the Lord) wrestling with Jacob (Israel)? The main story is found in Genesis 32:22-31, however the story itself is referenced in Hosea 12:4 and clarifies with whom Jacob (Israel) wrestled with:

Yes, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed; He wept and sought His favor. He found Him at Bethel And there He spoke with us,

Following the missionaries’ logic, it would either mean that the Angel (of the Lord) was evil and demonic, that Jacob (Israel) – the Father of the Twelve Tribes was evil and demonic or that both of them were evil and demonic. Irrespective of which choice they choose, the argument negates a major aspect of their faith. That in itself discredits the argument. Even if we were to forego this one major incident, there are many instances where angels were violent in the Bible, one significant example of that is as follows:

Then the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies! – Isaiah 37:36.

Thus, this is not a very good argument and it would benefit the Muslim to encounter a missionary using it, as it can allow us to invite them to Islam. Thank you for your question.

and Allah knows best.