The Three Faces represent distinct views of motives in the narrative.
The Three Faces and Their Motives
I.
The Obdurate Face
The motive is doctrine, creed, or dogma.
In this view, Iblis takes the description of Adam literally, as an amalgam of altered black clay and divine spirit. When he sees humanity, Iblis insists to God and the host that Adam is a terracotta statue to whom homage would be idolatry.
In this view, Iblis is the original fomenter, ultraist, sectarian, literalist or usurper.
The Obdurate Face as obstinacy, about which more may be learned of here.
The Obdurate Face as obstinacy, about which more may be learned of here.
II.
The Indurate Face
The motive is fidelity, fealty, or loyalty.
The motive is fidelity, fealty, or loyalty.
Iblis refuses homage to Adam because divinity alone is worthy of it. It is polytheism, blasphemy, or disloyalty to regard anything but the sovereign in this way. This view is best representative of the traditional Sufi view of Iblis in literature.
In this view, Iblis is the original zealous disciple, warden, curator, or steward.
The Indurate Face as tragedy and secrecy, more of which may be read here.
The Indurate Face as tragedy and secrecy, more of which may be read here.
III.
The Traditional Face
The motive is nascency, origins, or descent.
Iblis refuses to bow to Adam owing to origins. In Hasidic or Christian apocrypha, Iblis is from fire or spirit and Adam is from dirt or mud. In Islamic theology, Iblis is of a lineage risen from fire and Adam is of a lineage risen from clay.
In this view, Iblis is the original nativist, linealist, aboriginal, or primevalist.
The Traditional Face as infamy, about which more can be learned of here.
The Traditional Face as infamy, about which more can be learned of here.
