But Iblis made a request to prove that he is actually right, therefore God entrusted him as a tempter for humanity as long as his punishment endures, concurrently giving him a chance to redeem himself. God gave him authority over the lower heavens and the earth. When Allah was forming man, he took clay and after shaping it left it to dry for some 40 days (or 40 years, according to some Islamic versions of the myth). [72][73][74] Other scholars gave explanations why an angel should choose to disobey and explain that Iblis was, as the teacher of angels, more knowledgeable than the others. He lived there for thousands of years, until his non-angelic origin was forgotten and only God remembered Iblis' true identity. The conjunction fa in the Arabic text [kana min al-jinn fa-fasaqa ‘an amri Rabbihi] is indicative of the reason, as in the Arabic phrase saraqa fa quti’at yaduhu which means, “he stole, so his hand was cut off”, i.e., that was because he stole; or the phrase saha fa sajada which means, “he forgot so he prostrated”, i.e., that was because he forgot. To believe he was a fallen angel is to believe that he was an angel at some point of time, which is erroneous. Was Iblis one of the angels or one of the jinn? He says, since he was one of the first cherubim, he will one day return to God's grace, and promises to show gratitude if the serpent does him a favor. [48] His final salvation develops from the idea of that Iblis is only an instrument of God's anger, not due to his meritorious personality. Both reject him and he afterwards visits the grand mufti of Al-Azhar Mosque, telling him he wants to embrace Islam. Angels don't have free will, lust, anger, etc. Iblis – may Allah curse him – is one of the jinn. ), When matters crucial every vessel leaks that which to contains and is betrayed by its true nature. Accordingly, Muhammad would have demonized the jinn in later Surahs, making Iblis a jinni, whereas he had been an angel before. [25], In the Ismaili ginans Allah ek khasam sabhukā written by Pīr Ḥasan Kabīr al-Dīn and Het guranarasuṃ kījīe written by Pīr Ṣadr al-Dīn, it is explained that although Iblis was extremely learned and had obtained knowledge equivalent to having read 360 million books, he was unable to understand their deeper meaning, and failed to recognize the nature of what he had studied. Sometimes the term nar is better understood as hot light of the sun instead of fire, contrasted by nur referring to cold light of the moon. Because of the apparent meaning of this ayah, a number of scholars were of the opinion that Iblis was not originally one of the angels, rather he was one of the jinn, but he used to worship Allah with them, so he was called by their name because he followed them, just as an ally of a tribe may be given their name. Iblis responds, his form is just temporary and his love towards God remains the same. WHO WAS IBLIS? In the Bible, Iblis is taken to be an angel whose power is so wide-ranging that he is characterized as the ruler of this mundane and sinful world and the source of madness and epilepsy. . They make this claim on two grounds: 1- Angels do not have free will, and thus they never disobey God. Iblis was one of the Jinn, created from fire, by Allah (s.w.t.). Answer Praise be to Allah. For many classical scholars, he was an angel, but regarded as a jinn in most contemporary scholarship. Iblis was among the angels who decided to disobey the instruction of their creator. According to the Bible, Iblis has the power to appear in any form, even that of angels, in order to deceive people. Does that mean that Iblis is some kind of angel(or now a fallen angel perhaps)? Some say Iblis was and is an angel and others say Iblis was never an angel. [78] Quzat Hamadani relates his interpretation of Iblis' light to the shahada: Accordingly, people whose service for God is just superficial, are trapped within the circle of la ilah (the first part of shahada meaning "there is no God") just worshipping their nafs rather than God. He was created either as an angel or a jinni but was condemned after refusing to bow before Adam. After Adam’s creation, God ordered all of his angels to bow down in complete reverence and servitude to Adam. Here, although created in heaven, Iblis is not regarded as an angel, but the equivalent father of the jinn, compared to what Adam is to humanity. The Jewish Quarterly Review, 16(1), 45-88. doi:10.2307/1451748. The clearest evidence concerning this matter, the evidence cited by those who said that he was not an angel because of the ayah (interpretation of the meaning): “He [Ibls] was one of the jinn; he disobeyed the command of his Lord,” [18:50] is the clearest text from the revelation that proves this point. Further, Iblis is not described as created from fire, when the Quran identifies Iblis with the jinn. Due to his fall from God's grace, he is often compared to Satan in Christian traditions. The term Iblis (إِبْلِيس) may have been derived from the Arabic verbal root bls ب-ل-س (with the broad meaning of “remain in grief”) or بَلَسَ (balasa, “he despaired”). He was one of the Jinn;) meaning, his original nature betrayed him. Whereas the angels are created from light. 2 – Allah clearly states in 18:50 that he was one of the jinn, and the jinn are not angels. Isn’t this a contradiction in the Qur’an? Those scholars, who argue against Iblis' angelic origin also refer to his progeny, since angels do not procreate in Islam. [57] Jacques Waardenburg argues, that Iblis identification with the jinn in later Surahs, is a result of synthesis of Arabian paganism with Judeo-Christian lore. Iblis did not become an unbeliever due to his disobedience, but because of attributing injustice to God; that is, by asserting that the command to prostrate themselves before Adam was inappropriate. [82], In Umm al Kitab, an Ismaili work offering a hermeneutic interpretation of the Quran, the peacock and the serpent were born after men mated with demonic women sent by Iblis. Incidence of Iblis and Angels mentioned in the Qur’an . ), (So they prostrated themselves except Iblis. Iblis being an angel in Islam was generally accepted among classical scholars, while most contemporary scholars insist he always had been a jinn. Iblis used to do, what the angels did and resembled them in their devotion and worship, so he was included when they were addressed, but he disobeyed and went what he was told to do. Therefore there is no contradiction in … But Iblis is not happy about humanity's obedience towards himself either; rather he longs for humans who resist him, so he might eventually prostrate himself before the perfect human, that leads to his own salvation. The dispute as to whether Iblis was originally an angel whom Allah changed into a devil, or whether he was not originally an angel but was included in the word malaikah (angels) because he had joined them and worshipped Allah with them, is a well known dispute among the scholars. He argued that since he himself was created from fire, he is superior to humans, made from Clay-mud, and that he should not prostrate himself before Adam. Before disobeying Allah’s order, he was so pious that Allah (s.w.t.) When God commanded the angels, Iblis, due to his rank among the angels included, to prostrate himself before Adam, Iblis revealed his true nature. They are loyal servants of God. Therefore according to that sentence Iblis may be an angel or may not be an angel, but we come to know from Surah Al Kahf chapter 18, verse 50 that Iblis was a Jinn. What I would like to understand is if Iblis was an angel, how he could have disobeyed since he did not have any free will? What I would like to understand is if Iblis was an angel, how he could have disobeyed since he did not have any free will? Before disobeying Allah’s order, he was so pious that Allah (s.w.t.) Accordingly, Moses asks Iblis why he refused God's order. Iblis was in the same regard as Gabriel and other angels that are often named in the quran. Rumi views Iblis as the manifestation of the great sins of haughtiness and envy. Islamic scholars differ in regard to Iblis' nature. Satan was criticized for defying that command, (. And if he is from other than them what is the type of seclusion in Allaahs Words: All the angels prostrated themselves, except Iblis[1]? Since he, unlike the other jinn, was pious, the angels were impressed by his nobility and Iblis was allowed to join the company of angels and elevated to their rank. [53] The turban probably refers to a narration of Iblis' fall: there he wore a turban, then he was sent down from heaven. They said: this is a Quranic text concerning which there is some dispute. Thus, because of his inability to understand the True Guide, he was exiled into inescapable darkness (goḍ andhār). Listen Aroma of Peace Pearls Mosque Masjid Quran Surah Islam Muslim Deen Faith Salvation (1983). [49], Furthermore, the transformation of Iblis from angelic into demonic is a reminder of God's capacity to reverse injustice even on an ontological level. Therefore, as an angel, Iblis did not procreate. The Qur’an does not support this view. Otherwise God's light could not be seen on earth. Iblis is an angel. And are the jinn from among the angels? [59] Due to the unusual usage of the term jinn in this Surah, some scholars conclude the identification of Iblis with the jinn was merely a temporary one, but not the general opinion[60] or even a later interpolation, added influenced by folkloric perception of jinn as evil creatures, but was not part of the original text. 201–214. Iblees, and Shaytan and any Jinn are made of Smokeless Fire, they have Nafs, they not angels. Ibn Kathīr, in his commentary, quoted al-Hasan al-Basrī (الْحَسَن الْبَصْرِيّ): “’Iblīs was not … Tabari argued for an angelic origin of Iblis in his tafsir: "The reason people held this opinion [that Iblis was not an angel] is that God stated in His Book that He created Iblis from the fire of the Samum (15:27) and from smokeless fire (55:15), but did not state that He created the angels from any like of that. p. 177, Jacques Waardenburg Islam: Historical, Social, and Political Perspectives Walter de Gruyter, 2008, Jung, L. (1925). Because of the apparent meaning of this ayah, a number of scholars were of the opinion that Iblis was not originally one of the angels, rather he was one of the jinn, but he used to worship Allah with them, so he was called by their name because he followed them, just as an ally of a tribe may be given their name. ’Iblīs, as most scholars suggest, is a Jinn. Assume good faith; Be polite and avoid personal attacks; Be welcoming to newcomers and Iblis and the angels should then be among them, because they hide themselves from the eyes of mankind.". Iblis is an angel, or to be more precise, he was an angel. The different fragments of Iblis' story are scattered across the Quran. Does that mean that Iblis is some kind of angel(or now a fallen angel perhaps)? Although Iblis is often compared to the devil in Christian theology, Islam rejects the idea that Satan is an opponent of God and the implied struggle between God and the devil. Iblis appears as a giant, turtle like Angel with no rear legs and a long tail. [20] According to the Quran, Iblis's disobedience was due to his disdain for humanity, a narrative already occurring in early apocrypha. Iblis replied that the command was actually a test. Therefore according to that sentence Iblis may be an angel or may not be an angel, but we come to know from Surah Al Kahf chapter 18 verse 50 that Iblis was a Jinn. Iblis is also considered as the leader of those angels who battled the earthly jinn. These texts include the following: 1. This is not a forum for general discussion of the article's subject. At the creation of man, God ordered all his angels to bow down in obedience before Adam. Allah tells us in Surah al-Hijr 15:27. Is Iblis an angel or a Jinn? [63], But other scholars argue, that Islam nevertheless distinguishes between angels and other kinds of supernatural creatures. [1] Al-Hijr 15:30-31 [2] Al-Kahf 18:50 [3] Sad 38:76 [4] Sad 38:73-74 . Another possibility is that it is derived from Ancient Greek διάβολος (diábolos), which is also the source of the English word ‘devil’.However, there is no general agreement on the root of the term. Iblis (slanderer) Satan in Islamic folklore, originally an angel called Azazel or al-Haris; he is the father of the Djinn. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/4183374. According to the Bible, Iblis has the power to appear in any form, even that of angels, in order to deceive people. Iblīs (or Eblis) is a figure frequently occurring in the Quran, commonly in relation to the creation of Adam and the command to prostrate himself before him. The argument was… Once an angel, Iblis turned into a Jinn by his act of disobedience. [61][62] This idea was supported by the peculiar description of Iblis as created from fire, but not with the same features, the fire of from which the jinn are created. Er war einer der Jinn , so war er ungehorsam gegen den Befehl seines Herrn.“ (Sura al-Khaf, Vers 50) Doch weil der Befehl den Engeln galt, sich vor Adam nieder zu werfen und Iblis unter ihnen war, also mit ihnen am Gottesdienst teilnahm, obwohl sein Herz, Allah bewahre uns davor, voller Unglaube und Überheblichkeit war, war der Befehl an alle gerichtet. 1/2, 1995, pp. [87], In Muhammad Iqbal's poetry, Iblis is critical about overstressed obedience, that caused his own downfall. There is thus nothing in God's omitting to state what He created His angels from, and in His stating what He created Iblis from, which necessarily implies that Iblis is outside of the meaning of [angel], for it is possible that He created a category of His angels, among whom was Iblis, from fire, and even that Iblis was unique in that He created him, and no other angels of His, from the fire of the Samum. Although the Quran seems to be clear about Iblis' identification with the jinn in the Quran, scholars in favor for Iblis' angelic origin argue that the term jinni with the suffix i refers to guardians of jannah, a sub-category of "fiery angels". Therefore there is no contradiction in the Qur an. In the Bible, Iblis is taken to be an angel whose power is so wide-ranging that he is characterized as the ruler of this mundane and sinful world and the source of madness and epilepsy. When the angels took prisoners, Iblis was one of them and carried to heaven. ", The common viewpoints about Iblis' affiliation can be summarized as follows:[42], Apart from the Quranic narrative Islamic exegesis offers two different accounts of Iblis' origin: according to one, he was a noble angel, to the other he was an ignoble jinn, who worked his way up to heaven. This lack of final specification arises from the Quran itself,[56] while Iblis is included into the command addressed to the angels and apparently among them, he is identified as a jinni ('الجِنِّ') in Surah 18:50, who are usually seen as a creature apart from the angels in Islamic traditions. The evidence of those who say that he was not originally one of the angels is based on two things: 1 – The fact that angels are protected against committing kufr (disbelief) as was committed by Iblis, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Who disobey not, (from executing) the commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded.” [66:6], “They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His Command.” [21:27]. Its head extends from the front of its shell on a fairly long and flexible neck. ; Sign your posts by typing four tildes (~~~~). Here, Iblis's damnation is clear and he and his host are the first who enter hell to dwell therein forever,[51] when he is not killed in a battle by the Mahdi, an interpretation especially prevalent among Shia Muslims. Until his punishment on Judgment Day, he may tempt all but true believers to evil. – Bleeding Fingers Mar 23 '14 at 17:08-1 for not answering the OP's concern about the second verse. Another central argument to determine Iblis essence discusses Iblis' ability to disobey. Iblis considered himself superior because of his physical nature constituted of fire and not of clay. Leiden, Germany: Brill Publishers. The Qur an in several places says that Iblis was an angel, but in Surah Kahf it says that Iblis was a Jinn. Leading to his fall from God 's grace, he was one of the angels are as... Across the Quran identifies Iblis with the jinn general discussion of the jinn are made smokeless... 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Christian traditions overstressed obedience, that Islam nevertheless distinguishes between angels and ``... Al-Haris ; he is the Quranic texts which indicate that Iblis was “ Haris ” and! Gabriel for intercession phonetical similarity between fire ( nar ) and light nur. His haughtiness, God ordered all of his physical nature constituted of and... As causing most of the jinn gifts given by God for his arrogance any jinn are made of fire! And he lived there for thousands of years, until his punishment on Judgment Day, not for! Making Iblis a jinni, whereas he had been essential for the ability to try to mislead Adam and army... Leave this circle, can pass Iblis towards the circle of illa the! To Iblis ' story are scattered across the Quran ' story are across..., God banished Iblis from heaven shouting out: `` ( Cunning ) intelligence is from Iblis who... The guardian considered himself superior because of his inability to understand the true Guide, he was never angel.
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