Iblis

Iblis is a figure in Islamic theology often equated with the devil or Satan in popular usage, but his literary and theological role is more specific. According to the Qur’an, Iblis was a jinn created from smokeless fire who refused to bow to Adam when commanded by God. Because of this disobedience, he was expelled from the heavenly ranks and condemned to temptation and misguidance for as long as God wills.

The narrative emphasizes that Iblis acted out of pride and disobedience rather than ignorance. When confronted by God, he argued that he would not bow to a creature he considered inferior, and he requested a delay until the Day of Judgment. God granted him respite but decreed that he would have no power over those who are devout and seek refuge with God; his influence is described as insinuations or whispers rather than coercion. Iblis’s primary mission, then, is to lead humans astray while maintaining the possibility of repentance and steadfastness for believers.

In Islamic thought, Iblis is not a fallen angel nor a rival deity but the chief being among the shayatin (devils) who assist or entice humanity. The concept of Satan in Islam emphasizes human responsibility, the role of free will, and the speaker’s divine permission for testing, rather than an absolute force of evil. The figure has varied appearances in later literature and folklore, but the Qur’anic account remains the core reference.