Iblis, also known as Shaytan or Satan, is renowned for his jealousy and irrational hatred towards Adam (A.S) and Eve, as well as their descendants. He has declared himself as an eternal enemy to humanity, with the aim of misleading and causing harm to mankind.
1. Warning Against Iblis:
From the very beginning, Allah warned Adam and Eve about the enmity of Iblis, advising them to be vigilant against his temptations and misguidance. Throughout history, one of the primary tasks of the prophets has been to alert humanity to the dangers posed by Iblis and guide them on the right path.
2. Understanding Iblis:
Iblis serves as the leader of the Shaytans (devils), representing stubbornness, rebellion, and misguidance. He belongs to the Jinn, another creation of Allah. Iblis’ primary objective is to lead people astray from the path of Allah. Both Iblis as an individual entity and those who follow his ways are generally referred to as Shaytan, striving to divert individuals from the path of righteousness.
3. Wisdom in the Creation of Iblis:
Why did Allah create Iblis? This question is often posed with the assumption that entering Jannah (Paradise) would have been effortless if Iblis had not been created. However, the truth is that Allah does not intend to grant Jannah without any challenges. His purpose is to test individuals, and those who successfully pass the test will be rewarded with Jannah
There are some profound wisdoms behind allowing Iblis to mislead the people
1) If Allah allows something, it doesn’t necessarily mean He is pleased with it
No one is born a ‘devil’; individuals become ‘devils’ through their own actions. Iblis made a conscious choice to become evil when he disobeyed Allah. Iblis is a member of Jinn community. Initially, the Jinn community consisted of both good and evil natures. Iblis, who we now know as Satan, willingly chose the path of evil.
Allah’s divine will and permission allow both good and bad actions to occur. Humans and Jinn possess free will, and while Allah approves of good deeds, He disapproves of sins and evil actions. The existence of Satan does not imply Allah’s endorsement or command of evil deeds. On the contrary, Allah despises and forbids such actions.
2) Motive to excel in the worship
The struggle against Satan and his followers drives individuals to excel in their worship and strengthens their faith. The faith of pious individuals reaches maturity as they consistently seek refuge in Allah from Satan’s influence and continuously turn to Allah for protection and escape from the devil. The presence of Satan plays a pivotal role in enabling them to attain such a high level of worship.
3) Highlights the importance of choosing the right path
Satan’s presence creates fear of sins and enhances taqwa (fear of God) in believers. Satan’s presence serves various purposes and imparts valuable lessons about sin, repentance, and the significance of choosing the path of righteousness. Observing the consequences of Iblis’ downfall and expulsion from the company of angels, believers become more aware of the repercussions of disobedience, leading to an increase in their taqwa.
4) Test from Allah
Satan serves as a test for the servants of Allah and a reminder of the consequences of disobedience. Allah designates Iblis, the progenitor of Satanic entities, as a symbol for those who exceed the boundaries set by Him, display arrogance, and defy His worship. Conversely, Allah establishes Adam (peace be upon him) as a symbol for those who seek forgiveness upon committing sins and turn towards their Lord.
5) Diversity of Allah’s creation
Satan’s existence highlights the diversity of Allah’s creation, including the contrast between good and evil. Just as Allah created contrasting elements like the heavens and the earth, light and darkness, heaven and hell, water and fire, cold and heat, as well as good and evil, Jibraeel (Gabriel) created Iblis and other Satans as counterparts to the angels. This concept underscores the fact that the true magnitude of something can be comprehended through its opposite.
4. Blaming Iblis:
While it can serve as a psychological tool for personal growth and empowerment in overcoming shortcomings, blaming Iblis for past mistakes should not become an excuse for future errors. We cannot claim that we will make mistakes tomorrow because Iblis will misguide us. Moreover, blaming Iblis in the Hereafter does not benefit us, as explicitly stated in the Quran.
5. Tactics of Iblis:
Iblis employs several tactics to lead people astray, which scholars have extensively discussed:
1) Exploiting the weakness
Exploiting moments of weakness and forgetfulness to push individuals further into wrongdoing.
إِنَّمَا اسْتَزَلَّهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ بِبَعْضِ مَا كَسَبُوا ۖ
it was Satan who caused them to slip because of some [blame] they had earned
2) Whispering (Waswasa)
Utilizing waswasa (whispering) to constantly suggest sinful acts or immoral behaviour, whispering ideas and thoughts into people’s minds. Gradually making these ideas a constant presence in a person’s mind.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسلم قَالَ: «إِذا نُودي للصَّلَاة أدبر الشَّيْطَان وَله ضُرَاطٌ حَتَّى لَا يَسْمَعَ التَّأْذِينَ فَإِذَا قَضَى النِّدَاءَ أَقْبَلَ حَتَّى إِذَا ثُوِّبَ بِالصَّلَاةِ أَدْبَرَ حَتَّى إِذَا قَضَى التَّثْوِيبَ أَقْبَلَ حَتَّى يَخْطِرَ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَنَفْسِهِ يَقُولُ اذْكُرْ كَذَا اذْكُرْ كَذَا لِمَا لَمْ يَكُنْ يَذْكُرُ حَتَّى يَظَلَّ الرجل لَا يدْرِي كم صلى ( بخاري ومسلم)
When the call to prayer is announced, Shayṭān takes to his heels and passes wind loudly so that he does not hear the adhān. When the adhān finishes, he comes back. When the iqāmah is proclaimed, he takes to his heel (again). When the iqāmah finishes, he comes back so that he can obstruct the person’s heart with his whispers, saying ‘Remember such and such, remember such and such,’ things which he did not remember before, to the extent that the person no longer knows how much he has prayed” (Bukhārī).
عَنْ عَمَّارِ بْنِ يَاسِرٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ “ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَنْصَرِفُ وَمَا كُتِبَ لَهُ إِلاَّ عُشْرُ صَلاَتِهِ تُسْعُهَا ثُمُنُهَا سُبُعُهَا سُدُسُهَا خُمُسُهَا رُبُعُهَا ثُلُثُهَا نِصْفُهَا ” .
‘Ammar b. Yasir said: I heard the apostle of Allah (ﷺ) say: A man returns after saying his prayer while a tenth part of his prayer, or a ninth part, or an eight part, or a seventh part, or a sixth part, or a fifth part, or a third part, or half of it, is recorded for him.
3) Beatifying the false
Exaggerating the allure and appeal of sinful acts or forbidden things through lies and false promises.
وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ (النمل 24)
Satan has made their deeds pleasing to them and averted them from [His] way, so they are not guided,
وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ عَدُوًّا شَيَاطِينَ الْإِنسِ وَالْجِنِّ يُوحِي بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَىٰ بَعْضٍ زُخْرُفَ الْقَوْلِ غُرُورًا ۚ (الأنعام 112)
And thus We have made for every prophet an enemy – devils from mankind and jinn, inspiring to one another decorative speech in delusion
4) Instilling fear
Instilling fear to discourage acts of righteousness or charity by creating doubts and fear of potential negative consequences.
لشَّيْطَانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الْفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُم بِالْفَحْشَاءِ ۖ وَاللَّهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغْفِرَةً مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلًا ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٢٦٨﴾
atan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. (268
5) Causing disunity
1Causing disunity and friction within families, communities, and the ummah (Muslim community) to weaken their collective strength.
وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّ إِبْلِيسَ يَضَعُ عَرْشَهُ عَلَى المَاء ثمَّ يبْعَث سراياه فَأَدْنَاهُمْ مِنْهُ مَنْزِلَةً أَعْظَمُهُمْ فِتْنَةً يَجِيءُ أَحَدُهُمْ فَيَقُولُ فَعَلَتُ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَيَقُولُ مَا صَنَعْتَ شَيْئًا قَالَ ثُمَّ يَجِيءُ أَحَدُهُمْ فَيَقُولُ مَا تَرَكَتُهُ حَتَّى فَرَّقَتْ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ امْرَأَتِهِ قَالَ فَيُدْنِيهِ مِنْهُ وَيَقُولُ نَعَمْ أَنْتَ قَالَ الْأَعْمَشُ أرَاهُ قَالَ «فيلتزمه» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم
Jabir reported God’s messenger as saying, “Iblis sets his throne on the water, then sends forth his detachments to tempt mankind, the one who is nearest him in station being the one who can cause the severest temptation. One of them comes and says, ‘I have done such and such,’ but he replies, ‘You have done nothing.’ Then one of them comes and says; ‘I did not leave him till I separated him from his wife.’ He then brings him near to himself saying, ‘What a fine fellow you are!’ ” A’mash said he thought he said, “Then he embraces him.”
6. Protection from Shaytan’s influence:
To guard against the influence of Shaytan, individuals can:
1) Ikhlas (genuine intention)
Have a pure intention to please Allah and not seek validation or praise from others.
قَالَ يَا إِبْلِيسُ مَا لَكَ أَلَّا تَكُونَ مَعَ السَّاجِدِينَ ﴿٣٢﴾ قَالَ لَمْ أَكُن لِّأَسْجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقْتَهُ مِن صَلْصَالٍ مِّنْ حَمَإٍ مَّسْنُونٍ ﴿٣٣﴾ قَالَ فَاخْرُجْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيمٌ ﴿٣٤﴾ وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكَ اللَّعْنَةَ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ﴿٣٥﴾ قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرْنِي إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ ﴿٣٦﴾ قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنظَرِينَ ﴿٣٧﴾ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْوَقْتِ الْمَعْلُومِ ﴿٣٨﴾ قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِي لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ ﴿٣٩﴾ إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُخْلَصِينَ ﴿٤٠﴾ الحجر
[Allah] said, O Iblees, what is [the matter] with you that you are not with those who prostrate?” (32) He said, “Never would I prostrate to a human whom You created out of clay from an altered black mud.” (33) [Allah] said, “Then get out of it, for indeed, you are expelled. (34) And indeed, upon you is the curse until the Day of Recompense.” (35) He said, “My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected.” (36) [Allah] said, “So indeed, you are of those reprieved (37) Until the Day of the time well-known.” (38) [Iblees] 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 (39) Except, among them, Your chosen servants.” (40)
2) Dhikr (remembrance of Allah)
Engage in frequent remembrance of Allah (zikr).
(إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَن يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاء فِي الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللّهِ وَعَنِ الصَّلاَةِ فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّنتَهُونَ) [المائدة:91].
Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?
3) Seeking refuge with Allah
Seeking refuge with Allah from Shaytan. Allah the Most High said,
وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٢٠٠﴾ – الأعراف
“And if there comes to you from Satan an evil suggestion, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.” [41:36]
It is recommended to read Sura Al Falaq, Al Nas and some verses of Quran especially Ayatul Kursi and Amana Rasool to get protected from Shaitan.
4) Good company
Seek the company of rightful people.
Shaytan easily infiltrates our minds through the companionship we keep. If we avoid being in a company of bad people who commit sins like drinking alcohol, , the likelihood of Shaytan attempting to tempt us with this particular sin decreases.
That’s why it’s important to surround ourselves with individuals who contribute to our improvement in all aspects of life, particularly in matters of faith. These individuals will motivate us to read the Qur’an, engage in charitable acts, visit the mosque, and so on. They will inspire us to undertake actions that shield us from the whispers of Shaytan.
Prophet said:
: الرجل على دين خليله، فلينظر أحدكم من يخالل
A person follows the religion of their friend, so one should be mindful of whom they befriend” (Sunan Abi Dawud).
In short, Shaytan manifest in various ways. They are not a result of our lack of righteousness or Allah’s disapproval of us. Instead, they serve as a test for all believers, and we should strive daily to protect our hearts from being influenced by them.