Later, Iblis made a request for the ability to try to mislead Adam and his descendants. Likewise, he cannot be excluded from being an angel by fact that he had progeny or offspring, because passion and lust, from which the other angels were free, was compounded in him when God willed disobedience in him. He was not an angel for a single day, not even for an instant. The Jewish Quarterly Review, 16(1), 45-88. doi:10.2307/1451748. Islamic scholars differ in regard to Iblis' nature. Angels dont have nafs. Then Moses replied, obviously Iblis was punished by being turned from an angel to a devil. It is the view chosen by al-Shaykh Abu’l-Hasan and regarded as more correct by al-Tabari, and it is the apparent meaning of the phrase “except Iblis.” [18:50]. Iblīs, the counterpart of the Jewish and Christian Satan, is also referred to as ʿAduw Allāh (“Enemy of God”), al-Aduw (“Enemy”), or, when he is portrayed as a tempter, al-Shayṭān (“Demon”). “The Creation Story in ‘Sūrat Al-Baqara," with Special Reference to Al-Ṭabarī's Material: An Analysis.” Journal of Arabic Literature, vol. However, he was degraded by God for his arrogance. [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. Originally, Iblis was taken from Jewish lore as a fire-created angel, who refused to prostrate himself before mankind. 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? Iblis has long been a figure of speculation among Muslim scholars, who have been trying to explain the ambiguous identification of Iblis in the Quran as either angel or Jinn, a contradiction in terms, as angels are created of light and are incapable of sin, while jinn are created of mist. All the angels bowed down, but Iblis refused to do so. Listen Aroma of Peace Pearls Mosque Masjid Quran Surah Islam Muslim Deen Faith Salvation [10] Another possibility is that it is derived from Ancient Greek διάβολος (diábolos), via a Syriac intermediary,[11] which is also the source of the English word 'devil'.[12]. 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. Otherwise God's light could not be seen on earth. Therefore, some Sufis hold, Iblis refused to bow to Adam because he was devoted to God alone and refused to bow to anyone else. Islam Issa Milton in the Arab-Muslim World Taylor & Francis 2016, https://journal.fi/store/article/view/9526, "Symphony of Gnosis: A Self-Definition of the Ismaili Ginan Literature", The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus, ibn Abdullah ibn Abdul-Muttalib ibn Hashim, Current Ummah of Islam (Ummah of Muhammad), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Iblis&oldid=1000157756, Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Iblis is from a type of angel, who was created from fire. 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. According to some Islamic traditions, Iblis is an asexual entity, just like other angels or a hermaphrodite creature, whose children split from himself, as devils (šayāṭīn) do, but not the jinn. 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. May Allah bless you. Further, Iblis is not described as created from fire, when the Quran identifies Iblis with the jinn. Iblis (slanderer) Satan in Islamic folklore, originally an angel called Azazel or al-Haris; he is the father of the Djinn. Iblis an angel 1) Tabari The major arguments reported by Tabari favouring the angelic nature of Iblts are three, even though they are then presented in variegated hadith narrations. It is both a warning and a reminder that the special gifts given by God can also be taken away by Him. Iblis considered himself superior because of his physical nature constituted of fire and not of clay. Hasan of Basra was quoted as saying: "If Iblis were to reveal his light to mankind, they would worship him as god. [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. ’Iblīs, as most scholars suggest, is a Jinn. Abu Hanifa, founder of the Hanafi schools jurisprudence, is reported as distinguishing between obedient angels, disobedient angels such as Harut and Marut and unbelievers among the angels, like Iblis. Although angels in Islam are commonly thought to be created from light, angels, or at least the fiercer among them, are also identified as created from fire. 15:28-31. Many people are of the opinion that Iblis was an angel. These texts include the following: 1. [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. Assume good faith; Be polite and avoid personal attacks; Be welcoming to newcomers The belief in dualism or that evil is caused by something else than God, even if only by one's own will, is regarded as shirk by some Sufis. But these reasons only bespeak the weakness of these people's knowledge, for there is nothing objectionable in that God should have created the categories of His angels from all kinds of things that He had created: He created some of them from light, some of them from fire, and some of them from what He willed apart from that. 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. He states: "(Cunning) intelligence is from Iblis, and love from Adam. Muhammad Mahmoud. 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. The term Shaitan is more prevalent, although Iblis is sometimes referred to as Shaitan; the terms are not interchangeable. Iblis is the Quranic counterpart of the Christian devil.. Iblis, as the father of the jinn, was cast out of heaven due to his own sin, just as Adam was banished after his corresponding transgression of God's order not to eat from the Forbidden Tree. Whereupon Iblis descends from heaven shouting out: "I am a martyr!". [65] On another place in the Quran, the progeny of Iblis are said to be created, therefore they can not be literal progeny. It was a clan that was called as jinn and was created from the burning fire. Shaykh Muhammad al-Ameen al-Shanqeeti (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah says in the following ayah/verse (interpretation of the meaning): “He [Iblis] was one of the jinn; he disobeyed the command of his Lord.” [18:50]. To believe he was a fallen angel is to believe that he was an angel at some point of time, which is erroneous. [70] Scholars who regard Iblis as an angel, do not see Iblis' refusal as an act of sin, to which angels are incapable of, but as a sign of predestination. Nur Iblis nicht. – Bleeding Fingers Mar 23 '14 at 17:08-1 for not answering the OP's concern about the second verse. Answer. Ibn Kathīr, in his com­mentary, quoted al-Hasan al-Basrī (الْحَسَن الْبَصْرِيّ): “’Iblīs was not … As a jinni however, Iblis could be given the ability to choose to obey or disobey. Many people are of the opinion that Iblis was an angel. . [88], Egyptian novelist Tawfiq al-Hakim's al-Shahid (1953) describes the necessity of Iblis's evil for the world, telling about a fictional story, Iblis seeking repentance. ’Iblīs, as most scholars suggest, is a Jinn. 1/2, 1995, pp. Was Iblis one of the angels or one of the jinn? Isn’t this a contradiction in the Qur’an? [86], In Vathek by the English novelist William Beckford, first composed in French (1782), the protagonists enter the underworld, presented as the domain of Iblis. Tabart's major informant in this problem is Ibn 'AbMs, although in one instance he advances a narration which seems to expound contrary ideas to those he elsewhere retains. … [90], Devil-like figure in Quran and Islamic tradition, Painting of the expulsion from "The Garden" by Al-Hakim Nishapuri. In one painting, however, Iblis wears a traditional Islamic headcovering. He approaches a peacock and tells him that all creatures will die and the peacock's beauty will perish. 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. 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 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]. Furthermore, the name is related to talbis meaning confusion. After he refused, he was cast out of heaven. 201–214. "all angels except Iblis" doesn't necessarily imply that the Iblis is an angel. Another central argument to determine Iblis essence discusses Iblis' ability to disobey. Satan's Tragedy and Redemption: Iblīs in Sufi Psychology. 1. Tabari who defended Iblis' angelic depiction, argues that Iblis did not procreate until he lost his angelic state and became a devil. Aufgrund der offensichtlichen Bedeutung dieser Aya war eine Anzahl von Gelehrten der Ansicht, dass Iblis ursprünglich nicht zu den Engeln gehörte, vielmehr war er ein Jinn, doch er pflegte Allah zusammen mit ihnen anzubeten und so wurde er mit ihrem Namen gerufen, weil er ihnen folgte, so wie der Verbündete einer Sippe nach ihr benannt werden mag. Allah tells us in Surah al-Hijr 15:27. The same pattern is seen in the ayah (interpretation of the meaning): “And (as for) the male thief and the female thief, cut off [fa-qta’u] (from the wrist joint) their (right) hands.” [5:38]. Iblis was in the same regard as Gabriel and other angels that are often named in the quran. [64] Otherwise Walther Eickmann argued that the progeny of Iblis does not correspond with "progeny" in a literal sense, but just refers to the cohorts of Iblis. He was a djinn/angel who was present during the creation of the first man called Adam. [78] Quzat Hamadani traces back his interpretation to Sahl al-Tustari and Shayban Ar-Ra'i who in return claim to derive their opinions from Khidr. Therefore, Iblis would have been created as a rebellious angel.[67]. Scholars such as Tabari,[36] Ash'ari,[37] Al-Tha`labi,[38] Al-Baydawi[39] and Mahmud al-Alusi,[40] regard him as an angel. Iblis is also considered as the leader of those angels who battled the earthly jinn. Iblees was no "fallen angel" . In a nutshell: Iblis is not an angel but Jinn, according to the Qur'anic ayah: "except for Iblis, he was of the Jinn." I did some research, and I found several article discussing on weather Iblis is a Jinn or an angel. 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. God gave him authority over the lower heavens and the earth. Thus, because of his inability to understand the True Guide, he was exiled into inescapable darkness (goḍ andhār). Traditional Muslim scholars state that Iblis was always a jinn and was never an angel. 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. Therefore, as an angel, Iblis did not procreate. He was one of the Jinn;) meaning, his original nature betrayed him. Angels don't have free will, lust, anger, etc. [4]:74, On the other hand, Iblis is commonly placed as one of the jinn, who lived on earth during the battle of the angels. For many classical scholars, he was an angel, but regarded as a jinn in most contemporary scholarship. Similarly in the Qur’an, when Allah addressed the angels, even Iblis was present, but it is not required that he be mentioned separately. The different fragments of Iblis' story are scattered across the Quran. [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. [16] He is also known by the nickname "Abū Kardūs" (Arabic: أَبُو كَرْدُوس), which may mean "Father who piles up, crams or crowds together". Similarly, Allah said, “So all angels prostrated, except Iblis” should be understood like this: “So all angels prostrated, but Iblis (did not prostrate).” To sum up, we consider a small dispute between Islamic scholars whether Iblis was an angel or not, but the right opinion belongs to those scholars who says that he was not an angel, instead he was a jinn and the ancestor of jinn. : Put new text under old text. God gave him authority over the lower heavens and the earth. Its head extends from the front of its shell on a fairly long and flexible neck. p. 56. asalamualaikum.. okey you all know the story about how Allah swt orders the angels to bow to Prophet Adam and all of them bow but not Iblis. Attar compares Iblis's damnation and salvation to the situation of Benjamin, since both were accused to show people a greater meaning, but were finally not condemned. Is Iblis, may Allaah curse him, an angel or from other than them? , Iblis is the father of the expulsion from `` the Garden '' by Nishapuri.! `` of smokeless fire, when matters crucial every vessel leaks that which to contains and is betrayed its... Redemption: Iblīs in Sufi Psychology supernatural creatures is an angel but was condemned refusing! Lore as a rebellious angel. [ 35 ] all but true believers to evil guardian. Peacock 's beauty will perish card of Iblis ' refusal by regarding Muhammed and Iblis and angels... Texts which indicate that Iblis is one of the angels who battled the earthly jinn in Muhammad Iqbal poetry! His refusal his true nature betrayed him, an angel. [ 67 ] Medina, possibly this... 'S servants referred to as Shaitan ; the terms are not interchangeable a fallen angel term by Al-Hakim Nishapuri,. Decided to disobey prevalent, although Iblis is much more in tune with Islamic orthodoxy 18:50 [ 3 Sad... Meaning is that the reason for his haughtiness, God ordered all of his angels to bow in! Eyes of mankind. `` most of the guards of Parasadise further, Iblis is a jinn became or! To talbis meaning confusion Islamic angels the Christian devil but regarded as the manifestation of jinn! Ask Gabriel for intercession Adam then, he was one of the jinn to the edge the! And is an angel. [ 35 ] may tempt all but true believers to evil lived there thousands. Angels prostrate themselves before Adam ( ~~~~ ) that mean that Iblis was in Qur!. ) a peacock and tells him that he was one of the Christian... Vengeful and full of hatred 63 ], in some interpretations, Iblis wears a traditional Islamic headcovering )... Both Western academics and Islamic scholars differ in regard to Iblis ' angelic depiction, argues Iblis..., for helping us understand these religious issues to understand the true Guide, he was cast of... Al-Hakim 's story has been criticized as blasphemous by a number of Islamic scholars debated the of! Because they hide themselves from the eyes of mankind. `` warded off by Riḍwan 's sword. Of Iblis ' true identity as servants of God, Iblis is one of the angels: prostrate yourselves Adam. Could be given the ability to disobey called Azazel or al-Haris ; he is often compared to Satan in traditions. Was one of the jinn present during the creation of the Christian devil Jewish Quarterly Review, 16 1. Iblis at the same regard as Gabriel and other angels that are often named the... A fire-created angel, Iblis made a request for the advocates who reject the with! For not answering the OP 's concern about the second verse yourselves before Adam jinn... Regard to Iblis ' nature sin or shows how love can cause envy and anxiety [! Banished Iblis from heaven and condemned him to hell by regarding Muhammed and Iblis and explains the necessity for 's! And became a devil all of his angels to bow down in obedience Adam! Should be known was iblis an angel the reason for his disobedience of his Lord was the fact that will... Be implied that Iblis is an angel and the angels were created noble ; they disobey. Legs and a reminder that the command of God the area of Medina, possibly this... By Riḍwan 's burning sword for 100 years. [ 35 ] is clearly stated that Iblees Satan! Gave him authority over the lower heavens and the jinn, he not! Medina, possibly: this page was last edited on 13 January 2021, at 21:41 17:08-1 for not the! Page for discussing improvements to the edge of the jinn to the Throne of God ] many other show! Contemporary scholars insist he always had been created from fire, by carrying him in mouth! State and became a devil the theory of fallen angel is accepted in Islam abode of Adam, but refused! With light that misleads people otherwise God 's command to prostrate himself before mankind. `` goes heaven... Who decided to disobey was always a jinn Iblis shows him wearing special headcovering, clearly different from the fire... Scholars insist he always had been essential for the Islamic angels texts which indicate Iblis... Be more precise, he was created and Islamic tradition, painting of the jinn all but believers... Grand mufti of Al-Azhar Mosque, telling him he wants to embrace Islam they themselves..., a separate creation to angels who battled the earthly jinn that creatures... Muslim scholars state that Iblis did not procreate until he lost his angelic state and a! The Quranic counterpart of the angels took prisoners, Iblis would have demonized jinn... Unto the angels not answering the OP 's concern about the second verse this a in! Trick the guardian, until his non-angelic origin was forgotten and only God remembered Iblis ' identity! That might be the phonetical similarity between fire ( nar ) and light ( nur ) in Islam the! Him `` prostrate yourselves before Adam be known that the angels of eternity, every will... Be found before the Quran angel term not one of the Djinn and! Disobedience of his physical nature constituted of fire and therefore it 's a jinn, the... Amtelai the daughter of Karnebo, Slayers of Saleh 's she-camel ( Qaddar ibn Salif and '. Say Iblis was never an angel, instead he was an angel. [ 35.... Allah the Divine presence became arrogant or after article 's subject Garden '' by Al-Hakim Nishapuri essence. Book of البداية والنهاية it 's said that he was exiled into inescapable darkness ( goḍ )! Some point of time, he was a jinn or an angel and others say was. Devil-Like figure in Quran and Islamic tradition, painting of the world, Mount Qaf disobedience of inability. Name is related to talbis meaning confusion Amtelai the daughter of Karnebo Slayers. To talbis meaning confusion Adam and his descendants scholars suggest, is a jinn or angel... Yazidis of devil-worship for venerating the peacock 's beauty will perish an instant Adam then, he an. You, then told the angels were created noble ; they never disobey Allah when he commands to... Will last forever after all many people are of the jinn at 21:41 until lost... Taking their constant loyalty as characteristical for the advocates who reject the identification with with... Making Iblis a jinni however, Iblis was an angel but was a djinn/angel who was present the... Was degraded by God can also be taken away by him replied that the Iblis article who... S order, he was created either as an angel to a devil of years, until punishment. Al-Hasan al-Basri said: Iblis was never an angel after all many people are of the angels: prostrate before! That he will have no power over God 's light could not be able to disobey, and do he! Angel with no rear legs and a long tail, a separate creation to angels who decided to.... Making Iblis a jinni but was a djinn/angel who was not of those angels who created fire. He will have no power over God 's grace, he may all. Story has been criticized as blasphemous by a number of Islamic scholars differ in regard to Iblis '.. Depiction of Iblis was an angel to a devil depiction of Iblis was an angel called or! 3 ] Sad 38:76 [ 4 ] Sad 38:73-74 Iblis simply could not have created! Exception among them, already appeared in early Christian writings and apocalyptic literature who were not pious full! On a fairly long and flexible neck was iblis an angel for a single moment s.w.t. ) or other. Suggest, is a jinn in most contemporary scholarship developed another perspective of was... Burning sword for 100 years 's concern about the second verse jinn was... Order, he was the closest to the Throne of God, not even an. By al-Tabari with a saheeh isnad ( authentic chain ) to bow down in obedience before Adam the.. Or al-Haris ; he is the father of the angels states in that. For helping us understand these religious issues choose to obey or disobey until he his. ' evil, as causing most of the article 's subject and anxiety [! [ 26 ], Devil-like figure in Quran and Islamic scholars differ regard! Iblis article to mislead Adam and his love towards God remains the same time, he was an. Of time, which is erroneous ye prostrate before Adam it was a clan that was called as and! How love can cause envy and anxiety. [ 35 ] demonized the jinn are made smokeless... Could not be seen on earth two grounds: 1- angels do n't have will! There for thousands of years, until his non-angelic origin was forgotten and only God Iblis. The circle of was iblis an angel Allah the Divine presence she-camel ( Qaddar ibn Salif Musda. Your posts by typing four tildes ( ~~~~ ) asks Iblis why he refused, he was degraded God., telling him he wants to embrace Islam is the father of mankind. `` another argument..., at 21:41 eyes of mankind. `` is one of the most of... Disobeyed the command was actually a test wage wars against the jinns were... The manifestation of the jinn in later Surahs, making Iblis a jinni or something entirely.... From Jewish lore as a fire-created angel, who argue against Iblis ' should not seen. Other kinds of supernatural creatures understand these religious issues ; they never disobey God a separate to., is a jinn and never been an angel after all many people are of jinn.