When we speak of evil Satan will be the pinnacle of it. In every culture and religion, we all believe that there is such a being which incite others towards hate and other ungodly actions. One of the beliefs that are shared between Christians and Muslims is the belief that there is such a being called Satan however, there are fundamental differences that are important for Muslims and Non-Muslims to know about who Satan is and who he is not.
Satan is known in Islam as Shaytan or Iblis and they could be used interchangeably. The term may also denote the chief devil himself who tempted Adam and Eve or his followers from the demons as well.
SATAN IS NOT A FALLEN ANGEL
A common belief among Christians especially is the belief that Satan used to be an angel until he disobeyed Allah. However, this issue is clearer in the Muslim scriptures that Satan is not an angel because angels do not disobey Allah. Allah said in the Quran,
“They do not disobey whatever they (the angels) are commanded to do and they only do what they are commanded to do.” Quran 66:6
Although sentient, Angels do not have their own free will. They were created to be very loyal to Allah and were given tasks that they do well without deviating from it a little, so much more disobey. There are no bad angels so to speak. All of them are faithful servants of Allah from the Archangel Gabriel to the guardian of Hell, Malik, the angel of death, Malakal Mawt up to the last of the angels who are given different tasks.
So Iblis is something else. Satan is from the Jinn.
The Jinn are beings created by Allah who are also sentient and have their own free will as humans. The realm of the Jinn is that of the unseen and we do not know anything about them except what is revealed about them by Allah. They have abilities which are different from humans but it does not make them superior to humans at all.
Because of having their own free will, the Jinn have the choice whether to be good or evil. And Satan is among the evil of the Jinn.
Allah said in the Quran,
“And (remember) when We said to the angels: “Prostrate yourselves unto Adam.” So they prostrated themselves except Iblis (Satan). He was one of the jinn; he disobeyed the command of his Lord. Quran 18:50.
Islamic scholars said that it may be said that the first sin is pride and the first to develop pride is Satan himself. In the past, Satan has been given a high degree among the Jinn until Allah created Adam and Allah has ordered the angels to prostrate to Adam and at that time Satan was with them. But Satan did not prostrate.
As you can see, Satan is not an angel. If he was, he would not have disobeyed Allah at all. And there never was nor there will be any angel who will disobey Allah and become a fallen angel. Any mention of these is just plain fiction.
SATAN THE INCITER OF EVIL
We’ve mentioned earlier that it was Satan who incited Adam and Eve to eat from the forbidden tree that made them expelled from Paradise.
Allah said in the Quran.
And We said, “O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat therefrom in [ease and] abundance from wherever you will. But do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers.” Quran 2:35
But Satan caused them to slip out of it and removed them from that condition in which they had been. And We said, “Go down, all of you, as enemies to one another, and you will have upon the earth a place of settlement and provision for a time.” Quran 2:36
Allah knew that Satan was the culprit and he expelled him too but Satan was so willing to harm humans and he said,
[Satan] said, “Because You have put me in error, I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path. Quran 7:16.
This vow of Satan remains until the last day.
SATAN IS NOT THE KING OF HELL
It is common belief among the people that Satan is the king of Hell. Some are so deluded to believe it that they thought that it is most fitting to worship Satan instead because would be the abode of carnal pleasures and winning Satan’s favor will grant them a good place in hell. But this is again that is only born out of a creative mind. Allah said in the Quran,
Allah said to Satan, “Go, for whoever of them follows you, indeed Hell will be the recompense of you – an ample recompense. Quran 17:63
As we can see, Satan will be there among those who will be punished and not as king who will have powers, privilege, and authority over anyone there. In fact, the angel Malik, the guardian of Hell is more fitting to be called King of Hell but there is no King of Hell except God himself because He is the one whose rule and power governs the events in Hell.
SATAN HAS NO AUTHORITY OVER HUMANS
Satan can whisper evil to any human being. Satan could also cause harm through demonic possessions or their services being utilized by sorcerers through ‘kulam’ or black magic, but to sum it all up, Satan has no authority or power over humans especially the believers. Allah said in the Quran,
Indeed, you have no authority over my believing servants. And sufficient is your Lord as Disposer of affairs. Quran 17:65
With this regard, Satan is not to be morbidly feared. Allah is to be feared because everything is under His control. And that is why we should be obedient and subservient to Him alone and not to Satan.
For your questions, contact me via mujahidnavarra@gmail.com Please watch Mensahe TV at Cignal Channel 184 for more information about Islam.
