Iblis in al-Ghazali's An Exposition of the Hearts

From Satan and His Punishment, in al-Ghazali's An Exposition of the Hearts.

O my Sustainer! You expelled me from Paradise because of Adam.

[...]

Allah distorted his beautiful appearance to that like a pig. His head was like that of a camel, his chest like the hump of a camel, his face was between these two like that of a monkey, his eyes were split vertically along the length of his face, his nostrils were open like the cup of a cupper, his lips were like that of an ox, his teeth were sticking out like those of a pig, his beard had seven strands of hair. Allah then expelled him from Paradise, in fact from the skies, in fact from the earth to the islands. He therefore only enters earth very stealthily. Allah cursed him till the day of recompense because he became of the unbelievers.

[...]

[Iblis is the father of shadowy twins of every human child that is born.]

Satan said: "Give me more power.” Allah said: “Every time a child is born from Adam’s progeny, two from your progeny will be born."

[...]

[In the end, Iblis is made to face Adam again and asked to prostrate, but will refuse.]

He will bring Adam before him and order Satan to prostrate before him. He will refuse...

The Iblisic Worldview, Narrative, and Pathway

Refer to thematic or topical boxes right sidebar. The "Black Snake," painting by Mark Catesby.