Raguel (Raguil, Rasuil, Rufael, Suryan, Akrasiel) is one of the 7 archangels mainly of the Judaic and Islamic traditions. His name's meaning is considered to be "Friend of God".

Raguel is referred to as the archangel of justice, fairness and harmony. Raguel watches over other angels to make sure they are working well together with mortals in a harmonious and orderly fashion according to Divine order (Rev 3:7 - 13) and will. He brings all the other archangels and angels to account for their improper deeds (like Matthew 18:10), and he issues the punishment for angels who have transgressed (Daniel 7:10). He is of the order of principalities and needs to be vigilant. Because of his actions against other angels, some mortals have misinterpreted his role and nature, believing him to be a demon, but Raguel is benign and only seeks to keep heaven pure of corruption. As manifestation of the divine will, which means he is in constant counsel with the lawful and good deities he serves.

Raguel is not mentioned in the canonical writings of the Bible. He names is listed as one of the seven archangels in the pseudographical Book of Enoch. While not mentioned by name in the Bible, interpreters of these text believe they refer to him in several places. When the patriarch Enoch visited heaven as a mortal, it was Raguel who carried him to and from the mortal world. Most of the Biblical references, however, come from Revelation of John.

One of

Raguel is identified with the angel of the 5th Seal (Rev 6:9 - 11). Raguel is also assumed to be the fifth angel mentioned in the prophecy of Rev 9:1 who opens the bottomless pit. Raguel is also sometimes identified with the angel of Revalations 9:11 who is called in Hebrew "Abaddon" or in Greek "Apollyon," though many others associate this angel with the devil or one of the fallen angels. In the Final Judgement, it is Raguel who delivers bad voices, mortals, or angels to the Archangel Michael (compare Luke 12:5) and his warriors of light (Rev 12:7 - 9).

Possible historical references to a similar figure from other cultures can be found in Babylonian culture as "Rag" (some translations say Ragumu), and in Sumerian as "Rig" which means to talk or speech. Thus, these similar characters represented balance in those cultures as well.

In popular culture

In Neil Gaiman's short story "Murder Mysteries", Raguel, in his capacity as angel of justice and vengeance, is assigned to investigate the first ever murder.