Iblis in the Context of The Quran

"Iblis in the Quran"
Sahib Iblis
24 May 2022, rev. 24 June 2023

The following is an introduction to the account of Iblis in The Quran.

There are three significant shifts in the Quranic account of the Iblisic narrative: The First, Second, and Third Rifts. Each "Rift" is ontological in nature: The relationships of all or most agents in the narrative are changed.

Iblis is at the summit of his service in the seventh heaven when God announces he will create humanity and that he will invest in the first human being, Adam, a status as successor to God in Earthly and worldly affairs:

I am going to create a human being from clay. So, when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My soul, then fall down to him in prostration.

- Quran 38:72

However, the announcement by God regarding the creation of mankind provokes warnings from some of the host. They urge God not to create humanity, citing the mischief that mankind will unleash on Earth, given its nature:

Will You place upon it one who causes corruption...?

- Quran 2:30

It is unclear if Iblis leads, takes part in, or just hears of the protest. However, both the announcement and warning give Iblis his first impression of humanity. It could be that Iblis uses this time to nurture an initial reaction, likely unease, and perhaps even associate the nature of humanity with his clay origins.

I. The First Rift: Iblis spurns fealty and fidelity to humanity.

In an unstated point in time after the warning, God actually creates Adam, the first human being. Following this, God commands the host to prostrate to Adam. The unease felt by Iblis intensifies when he sees the first man. All of the host obey the order to fall in prostration. However, Iblis alone refuses:

And We have certainly created you, and given you form. Then, we said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam"; so they prostrated, except for Iblis. He was not of those who prostrated.

- Quran 7:11

God then asks Iblis why he did not make prostration to Adam:

God said, "What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?"

Iblis [Satan] said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay."

- Quran 7:12

In this variant of the exchange, there is deference to other terms:

[God] said, O Iblees [Iblis], what is [the matter] with you that you are not with those who prostrate?”

He [Iblees/Iblis] said, “Never would I prostrate to a human whom You created out of clay from an altered black mud.”

- Quran 15:32-33

The command to prostrate to Adam was a command to prostrate to humanity, as a whole. In this way, the singular form of Adam implied a plurality. For Iblis to bow to Adam would be to bow to every human being that would ever be. To offer homage or fealty to humanity would be to sanction the subdual of his caste. Leaning on the warnings of the host, these stirred his disobedience.

II. The Second Rift: Iblis spurns penance and is cursed and exiled.

Having refused fealty and fidelity to mankind, Iblis incurs God's anger. In the face of a refusal to turn to repentance by Iblis, God sets up a council and resolves to exile and curse Iblis. The obstinacy of Iblis becomes intolerable:

God said, "Descend from Paradise, for it is not for you to be arrogant therein. So, get out; you are indeed of the debased."

- Quran 7:13

Iblis is also physically cursed, from a pillar of holy fire to a monstrosity. The curse and exile instantly harden and blacken the heart of Iblis, and what initially stirred in him as unease swiftly turns to enmity because of his state.

Respite is reprieve, which is a demand for time. Iblis demands time as an ally, so that he can draw out his own curse and exile until the end of the world. Looking to God, Iblis unfurls his long, sinewy finger straight at Adam:

Do You see this one that You have honored above me? If you delay me until the Day of Resurrection, I will surely destroy his descendants, except for a few.

- Quran 17:62

The respite that Iblis requests is granted, barring only coercion as a method for him to use against his enemy tribe. Iblis accepts this, replying:

Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You].

- Quran 7:17

Implicit in the words that Iblis utters at this late hour, having been compelled to look into himself in a mirror before the host and in contemplation of his own name, is his own contempt for the cause of the curse thrown on him and the exile that followed. Now in solitude, potential followers stand back fearing the same fate. The descent of Iblis is followed by the removal of his garments of nobility.

III. The Third Rift: Iblis spurns the ascent of humanity.

Now eloping in Paradise, Adam and Eve are given warning.

O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat from wherever you will but do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers.

- Quran 7:19

They are warned to remain vigilant against a newly sworn enemy.

But Satan [Iblis] whispered to them to make apparent to them that which was concealed from them of their private parts. He said, "Your Lord did not forbid you this tree except that you become angels or become of the immortal."

- Quran 7:20

Iblis stood between divinity and humanity, as a moon in a solar eclipse.

And he [Iblis] swore to them [by God], "Indeed, I am to you from among the sincere advisors."

- Quran 7:21

His efforts wrung out the same fate, and Adam and his wife were exiled.

[God] said, "Descend, being to one another enemies. And for you on the earth is a place of settlement and enjoyment for a time." He said, "Therein you will live and therein you will die, and from it you will be brought forth."

- Quran 7:24-25

Now, Iblis was in the world with their progeny. Having been expelled from paradise and every seat in his home, Iblis waged his struggle of tribal enmity, and with him even the determination to drag time along with his resolve.

Indeed, he sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them.

- Quran 7:27