Bābil (Babel or Babylon), is a geographical name mentioned in the Qurʾān in connection with the story of the two angels Hārūt and Mārūt, whose appearance is stated to be for the purpose of ‘teaching’ mankind (see Q 2:102).

According to most reports, this region was the place where these two angels descended in the time of the prophet Solomon (or the prophet Idrīs, see al-Suyūṭī, 1/99) in order to teach mankind. The commentators mostly speak of Hārūt and Mārūt teaching magic or the instigation of discord between men and women (e.g. al…