Surah Baqarah, verses 30-34, mention the earthly vicegerency of man. On this occasion, the angels presented themselves for the earthly vicegerency, but Allah Almighty stated that He knows more than they do.
Then, when Allah put everyone to the test, the angels could not explain the reality of the things of the world, and Hazrat Aadil (A.S.) explained everything fluently. Then Hazrat Aadil (A.S.) was made the one to whom the angels prostrated, and the one prostrated to is superior to the one prostrating.
So, this incident proves the superiority of man, or at least the prophets, over the angels. Furthermore, the verse (أولئك هم خير البرية) is also used to argue for the superiority of man.
Similarly, in Surah Bani Israel, verse 70, it is stated,
(ولقد كرمنا بنى آدم) This is also used to argue that man is the noblest of creation. And since the prophets are superior to all human beings, they are also superior to all angels.
The researched point in this matter is that,
Common righteous believers, like the Awliya Allah, are superior to common angels, and special angels, like Hazrat Jibreel and Hazrat Mikaiel (peace be upon them) etc., are superior to common righteous believers, and special believers, like the Prophets (peace be upon them), are superior to special angels as well.
And as for disbelievers and evildoers, how can they be superior to angels? They are not even superior to animals in the real purpose (success and salvation). Rather, the disbelievers are like cattle,