Are angels superior to prophets?

Angels are honored servants created for obedience and worship. They are capable of acts of worship that humans cannot endure. However, this does not mean they are superior to the انبياء (prophets) and the righteous among humans. The doctrine of Ahl al-Sunnah (Sunni Muslims) is that the prophets and the awliya' (saints/devout) are superior to angels, because angels do not have inclinations towards evil or disobedience, whereas righteous humans overcome these inclinations in their obedience to Allah, which makes their obedience more perfect.

Some scholars believe that righteous humans are superior to angels in terms of their ultimate destiny (Paradise), while angels are superior in terms of their origin (their creation from light and their strength in obedience).

Delving into such matters is considered an excessive pursuit of knowledge that is not necessary for a Muslim to know. The most important thing is the righteousness of the soul through obedience to Allah.