The Three Faces represent distinct views of motives in the narrative.
The Three Faces
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.
For further resources on the Obdurate Face of Iblis, visit this expanded page.
For further resources on the Obdurate Face of Iblis, visit this expanded page.
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 ardent disciple, warden, curator, or steward.
For further resoures on the Indurate Face of Iblis, visit this expanded page.
For further resoures on the Indurate Face of Iblis, visit this expanded page.
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.
For further resources on the Traditional Face of Iblis, visit this expanded page.
For further resources on the Traditional Face of Iblis, visit this expanded page.
