The Holy Quran discusses Iblis (Satan) as a physical being created from fire. He is a rebellious creature. He was arrogant toward Adam, who was created from clay. Satan believed fire was superior to clay. He thought fire could destroy clay. His rebellion began when Allah commanded the angels to prostrate to Adam. The Quran indicates Satan was among the angelic group.
The Quran presents dialogues with Satan to reveal his grudge against humanity. He asked Allah for respite until the Day of Judgment. He wanted to devote himself to misleading mankind. His goal is to pull humans down from their high station. He tries to stir the inner struggle between good and evil. He tirelessly tempts people toward actions that ruin their souls.
Through this dialogue, the Quran states Allah granted Satan's request for His own reasons. However, Allah made it clear that Satan's power is limited. He can only invite and tempt people toward evil. He has no direct power of coercion over humans. Satan only gains authority over those who choose to follow him. A believer with strong faith does not give Satan a chance to manipulate him. Satan's plans against such believers fail.
Satan’s Role in the Story of Adam’s Creation
Allah created Satan and honored him. Allah ordered the angels, including Satan, to prostrate to Adam. This was to honor Adam for his intrinsic nature and his future role as Allah's representative on earth.
The Quran describes Satan's characteristics. He is insignificant and opposed to Allah. He is egotistical and arrogant. He values his origin from fire above all else. He ignores the spiritual and intellectual qualities that make humans superior.
The Quran uses vivid scenes to highlight the danger of arrogance. It shows how arrogance destroyed Satan.
Here are some Quranic verses that define this portrait:
And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," and they prostrated, except for Iblis. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:34)
And We have certainly created you, [O Mankind], and given you [human] form. Then We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam"; so they prostrated, except for Iblis. He was not of those who prostrated. [God] said, "What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?" [Satan] said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay." [God] said, "Descend from it, for it is not for you to be arrogant therein. So get out; indeed, you are of the debased." Surah Al-A'raf (7:11-13)
And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," and they prostrated, except for Iblis. He said, "Should I prostrate to one whom You created from clay?" [Iblis] said, "Do You see this one whom You have honored above me? If You delay me until the Day of Resurrection, I will surely destroy his descendants, except for a few." Surah Al-Isra (17:61-62)
These verses paint a clear picture of Satan. He is an arrogant creature who rebels against Allah's will. He is determined to face the consequences of his rebellion just to keep his pride.
The Tragedy of Satan: A Delusion
Some philosophers describe Satan's position as tragic. They portray him as a true monotheist. They claim he refused to bow to Adam to worship Allah alone. They say he rebelled out of sheer love for Allah.
This argument has no basis in religion or logic for two reasons.
- Satan is part of the unseen world. We know about him only through divine revelation. The Quranic verses show his refusal was due to arrogance, not monotheism. He holds a grudge and seeks to harm humanity. He asked to live until the Day of Judgment to mislead people. This is not the picture of a lover of Allah. This idea is a poet's imagination, not reality.
We find more details in the traditions of the Prophet's Progeny (a.s.).
In Biharul Anwar, Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said, "Satan was ordered to bow down to Adam. He replied: O Lord! If You forgive me for not prostrating to him, I would worship You the kind of worship that no one else could match. Allah Almighty said: I wish to be obeyed whence I have decreed."
Other traditions explain the prostration. In Tuhaful Uqool, Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said, "The angels’ prostrating to Adam was a sign of submission to Allah and out of love for Adam."
Abu Basira asked Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) if the angels placed their foreheads on the ground. The Imam said, "Yes, as a mark of glory to Allah Almighty."
In a dialogue with a Jew, Imam Ali (a.s.) said, "Their [the angels] prostration was not out of submission. They worshipped Adam to the exclusion of Allah, the Most Exalted. However, it was out of recognition for Adam’s loftier station and by way of asking mercy for him."
Satan’s Role Vis-à-Vis Man
What is Satan's role? Does he have overwhelming power over humans? If yes, how can this be reconciled with Allah's justice?
Many people blame Satan for their sins. They see him as the direct cause of their misguidance. The Holy Quran paints a different picture.
Satan has no power to force humans. He can only whisper and create tempting conditions.
Man has a conscious intellect to distinguish good from evil. He has a strong will to make sound decisions. The struggle between man and Satan is equal. Man has free will to choose. He has the intellect and willpower to emerge victorious.
The Quran gives believers the conviction to defeat evil. Those who fall to temptation have themselves to blame. They neutralized their own Allah-given powers.
Allah granting Satan long life shows confidence in humanity. Man can choose his own destiny through his will. He is not a victim of coercion.
Consider these Quranic verses about the roles of man and Satan:
They call upon instead of Him none but female [deities], and they [actually] call upon none but a rebellious Satan. Whom God has cursed. For he said, "I will surely take from among Your servants a specific portion. And I will mislead them, and I will arouse in them [sinful] desires, and I will command them so they will slit the ears of cattle, and I will command them so they will change the creation of God." And whoever takes Satan as an ally instead of God has certainly sustained a clear loss. Satan promises them and arouses desire in them. But Satan does not promise them except delusion. Surah An-Nisa (4:117-120)
[Satan] said, "Do You see this one whom You have honored above me? If You delay me until the Day of Resurrection, I will surely destroy his descendants, except for a few." [God] said, "Go, for whoever of them follows you, indeed Hell will be the recompense of you - an ample recompense. And incite [to senselessness] whoever you can among them with your voice and assault them with your horses and foot soldiers and become a partner in their wealth and their children and promise them." But Satan does not promise them except delusion. Indeed, over My [believing] servants there is for you no authority. And sufficient is your Lord as Disposer of affairs." Surah Al-Isra (17:62-65)
[Satan] said, "My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected." [God] said, "So indeed, you are of those reprieved until the Day of the time well-known." [Satan] said, "My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all. Except, among them, Your chosen servants." [God] said, "This is a path [of return] to Me [that is] straight. Indeed, My servants - no authority will you have over them, except those who follow you of the deviators." Surah Al-Hijr (15:36-42)
[Satan] said, "Because You have put me in error, I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path. 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]." [God] said, "Get out of it, reproached and expelled. Whoever follows you among them - I will surely fill Hell with you, all together." Surah Al-A'raf (7:16-18)
And Satan will say when the matter has been concluded, "Indeed, God had promised you the promise of truth. And I promised you, but I betrayed you. But I had no authority over you except that I invited you, and you responded to me. So do not blame me; but blame yourselves. I cannot be called to your aid, nor can you be called to my aid. Indeed, I deny your association of me [with God] before. Indeed, for the wrongdoers is a painful punishment." Surah Ibrahim (14:22)
The Boundaries of Satan’s "Authority"
The verses show Satan is determined to mislead people. Allah granted his wish but warned him. Satan has no direct power to mislead those who strive for guidance. He can only arouse doubts. Those who follow him do so by their own choice.
On the Day of Judgment, Satan will confess this. He will say he only invited people, and they listened. He had no power over their will.
This system is a test for humanity. It allows people to choose their path through free will, not compulsion. This is illustrated in the verse: And Satan had already proven true his assumption concerning them, and they followed him, except for a party of believers. And he had over them no authority except [it was permissible] that We might make evident who believes in the Hereafter from who is thereof in doubt. And your Lord, over all things, is Guardian. Surah Saba (34:20-21)
The Quran calls on people to be hostile to Satan and master their own destiny.
So, when you recite the Quran, [first] seek refuge in God from Satan, the expelled [from His mercy]. Indeed, there is for him no authority over those who have believed and rely upon their Lord. His authority is only over those who take him as an ally and those who through him associate others with God. Surah An-Nahl (16:98-100)
Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy. He only invites his party to be among the companions of the Blaze. Surah Fatir (35:6)
And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Satan, then seek refuge in God. Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing. Indeed, those who fear God - when an impulse touches them from Satan, they remember [Him] and at once they have insight. But [as for] their brothers - the devils increase them in error; then they do not stop short. Surah Al-A'raf (7:200-202)
Experiencing the Quranic dialogue exposes Satan's bitter enmity toward man. He wants to destroy humanity out of spite after being expelled by Allah. The idea that Satan is a wronged believer is ludicrous. The Quran clearly portrays him as a psychopath, driven by selfishness and arrogance, with no regard for the consequences.