Iblis in the Context of The Quran

"Iblis in the Quran"
Nar As-Samum
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" reflects one or more significant changes in the relationships between its key figures or agents.

Before even the First Rift of the Quranic variant of the narrative, God announces that he will create humanity. The first human being, which he will name Adam, is to be given the status of warden or successor on Earth:

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

This announcement incites some to protest. They urge God not to create humanity or to give him this status, claiming mankind will spur decay.

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

- Quran 2:30

There is no mention of Iblis in relation to this protest. However, surely Iblis hears of the event, which would give him his first impression of Adam.

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

In an unstated point in time after the protest, God creates the first human being and names him Adam. The entire host is asked to bow [sujud] to Adam. Almost all of the host obeys, with the sole exception to this being Iblis:

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 asks Iblis why he did not prostrate before 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

There is another variant of this scene in the Quran:

[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

Iblis refuses to bow to Adam because the origins of Adam's caste prevent him from heeding the order. To bow before Adam would be to condone the subordination and inundation of his own caste beneath mankind as a whole.

II. The Second Rift: Iblis unrepentant now cursed and exiled.

The refusal of Iblis to give fealty and fidelity to mankind incurs God's anger. This is followed by God resolving to physically curse Iblis. From a Djinnic pillar wreathed in holy fire, Iblis is transformed into a walking, abominable horror.

With the entire host present and Adam looking on, Iblis is also exiled.

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

The mere indifference Iblis felt for Adam becomes enmity. Seeking to show that he was justified in refusing to relinquish the autonomy of his caste, Iblis demands time as an ally. Looking to God, Iblis points his 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 Iblis requests is granted, permitting Iblis and his tribe the use of nearly any method except for physical coercion. Suggestion, idea, dream, imagination, or feeling all become tools to use, barring only deprivation of will:

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

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