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In Islam, the devil is called Shayṭān, (Arabic: شيطان, plural: شياطين shayāṭīn) and refers to all evil forces under leadership of the archdevil known as Iblīs, who was cast out of heaven, after he refused to prostrate before Adam.
Contents
- Namings and etymology
- The Devil in Islamic theology
- Controversial Affiliation
- Meaning of Iblis according to Islamic theology
- Iblis in Sufism
- References
The primary characteristic of Iblis is hubris; not only did he deem himself a superior creation to Adam, he also demonstrated arrogance by challenging Allah's judgment in commanding him to prostrate. His primary activity is to incite humans and jinn to commit evil through deception, which is referred to as "whispering into the hearts." The Quran mentions that satans are the assistants of those who disbelieve in God: "We have made the evil ones friends to those without faith."
Namings and etymology
The term Iblis (Arabic: إِبْلِيس) may have derived from the Arabic verbal root بَلَسَ (balasa, "he despaired"). Another possibility is that it is derived from Ancient Greek διάβολος (diábolos), also the ultimate source of English 'devil.' However, there is no consensus on the root of the term.The term Shaytan (Arabic: شَيْطَان) also has the same origin as Hebrew שָׂטָן (Sātān), source of the English Satan.
In Islamic theology, "Shaytan" (Arabic: شيطان), is often simply translated as "the Devil," but the term can refer to any being who disobeys God and follows Iblīs and intends to harm someone or does mischief.
The Devil in Islamic theology
According to The Oxford Dictionary of Islam, shaytan in the singular and the plural shayatin are used in the Quran often interchangeably with Iblis, who is "considered to be a particular shaytan." In Islamic theology, Iblis is a being created from fire who was allowed to mingle with Angels in the heavens until he rejected the command of God to bow before Adam. When God created Adam, the first human, He said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth.". The angels respond: "Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?" God affirms and all the angels prostrate, but Iblis does not. Iblis justified his decision, because he claims to be better than a human: "I am better than he: Thou didst create me from fire, and him from clay." Iblis requested trying to mislead the people to prove that he was right. Although God grants the request, he also warns Iblis that he would have no authority over his ‘ibād or "servants". As for My servants, no authority shalt thou have over them.
Controversial Affiliation
The essence of Iblis has been a discussion subject among scholars. Because of his presence in heaven, he is also held for an angel, while jinn are often considered to be earthly beings. But otherwise, he is called a Jinni in Surah 18:50. Those who reject Iblis angelic nature argue if he were an angel, he couldn´t disobey God´s command. Therefore scholars designate different interpretations about the essence of Iblis:
Meaning of Iblis according to Islamic theology
Iblis takes various roles in islamic theology and traditions, but the majority gives him a depiction as a failed and evil creature, while other interpretations can also be positive:
Iblis in Sufism
In Sufism, Iblis is often viewed as a fallen angel who was a true monotheist, because he would rather go to hell than bow down to something that is not God. Iblis's function as a devil is therefore regarded as a penalty, which he readily accepts. So, Iblis became the instrument of divine anger, and supported the Nafs, which lead man astray from divinity. In another interpretation, Iblis's pride creates the remoteness and separation.Rumi describes Iblis as being blind in one eye. He saw in Adam just the clay, but was blind to his spirit.