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(New page: Iblīs (Arabic إبليس), is the name given to the primary devil in Islam. == Etymology == The word may be derived from the Arabic verbal root balasa بَلَسَ, meaning "he des...)
 
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Iblīs (Arabic إبليس), is the name given to the primary [[devil]] in Islam.
[[Category:Demon Names]]
In Islam, the '''Devil''' is known as '''Iblīs''' (Arabic: إبليس‎, plural: ابالسة abālisah) or Shayṭān (Arabic: شيطان‎, plural: شياطين shayāṭīn), born under the name Azazel. In Islam, Iblis is a jinni who refused to bow to Adam.


The primary characteristic of the Devil, besides hubris, is that he has no power other than the power to cast evil suggestions into humans and jinn, although the Quran mentions appointing jinn to assist those who are far from God in a general context. "We made the evil ones friends (only) to those without faith."<ref>Quran 7:27</ref>


==Namings and etymology==
Iblis in Arabic verbal root ''balasa'' بَلَسَ, meaning'he despaired'; therefore, the meaning of ''Iblīs'' would be 'he/it that causes despair'.<ref>[http://www.themystica.org/mystica/articles/i/iblis.html Iblis]</ref>


== Etymology ==
In popular Islamic culture, "Shaytan" (Arabic: شيطان‎), is often simply translated as "the Devil," but the term can refer to any of the jinn who disobeyed God and followed Iblīs. Some scholars are of the view that Iblīs}is the father of all of the jinn, as Adam is the father of all of humanity<ref>[http://islamqa.info/en/ref/102373 Is Iblees the father of all Jinn, evil and righteous ones, or a father for only the evil Jinn?.]</ref> as mentioned in the Quran (sura 18, Al-Kahf), "Will ye then take him and his progeny as protectors rather than Me? And they are enemies to you!"<ref name="quran1850">Quran 18:50</ref>
The word may be derived from the Arabic verbal root balasa بَلَسَ, meaning "he despaired"; therefore, the linguistic meaning of Iblis would be "he/it that causes despair".[1] However, some maintain an etymological derivation from the Greek "Diabolos".[2]


Hadith states that his name before his banishment was [[Azazel]].




== Origin ==
==The Devil in Islamic theology==
In contrast with the Christian tradition, the Qur'an names Iblis as a jinn [3] rather than an angel. The Jinn are created from fire [4], and in the Islamic tradition are considered to have free will; in Islam, angels are seen as messengers who do not possess free will.[citation needed]
According to ''The Oxford Dictionary of Islam'', ''shaytan'' is used in the Quran in the singular, and the plural ''shayatin'' often interchangeably with Iblis, who is "considered to be a particular shaytan."<ref name="Esposito">Esposito, ''Oxford Dictionary of Islam'', 2003, p.279</ref>


Iblis was given power close to that of the angels by God, because he was at one point a pious and humble jinn. When God commanded all of the angels to bow down before Adam, Iblis, full of hubris, jealously refused to obey God's command (seeing Adam as being inferior in creation).[5] Prior to this act of disobedience, Iblis was called by the name of Azazel.[6]
According to basic Islamic teachings, God revealed the creation of three intelligent species: angels (''malāʾikah''), jinn, and humans, of which the latter two have been granted free will to choose between good and evil,<ref>Quran 10:44</ref><ref>Quran 7:12</ref> and the Quran states that there is other creation beyond human knowledge "and He has created (other) things of which ye have no knowledge."<ref>Quran 16:8</ref>


He then claims that if the punishment for his act of disobedience is to be delayed until the day of Judgment, he will convert many of Adam's own descendants during the period of respite.[7] God accepts the claims of Iblis and guarantees recompense to Iblis and his followers in the form of Hellfire. God, to test mankind and jinn alike, allowed Iblis to roam the earth to attempt to convert others.[8]
The angels do not have free will and cannot sin because they were not granted the freedom by God to disobey. When God created Adam, he commanded all the angels and Iblis (whose rank allowed him to be considered equal to that of an angel) to prostrate to Adam as was termed "the Best of Creation". All the angels did so but Iblis refused to obey, and was brought into a state of rebellion against God.<ref name="Juan Eduardo Campo 603">{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Islam|author=Juan Eduardo Campo|page=603|url=http://books.google.com.pk/books?id=OZbyz_Hr-eIC&pg=PA603&dq=Devil+in+Islam&hl=en&sa=X&ei=rkvDT8DdOo23hAfMo4yFCg&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Devil%20in%20Islam&f=false}}</ref> For this God cast him out of ''Jannah'' (paradise), and intended to punish him. Iblis begged God to delay the punishment until ''Yawm al-Qiyāmah'' (Last Judgment), which was granted by God.<ref>{{cite book|title=Probing The Depths of Evil And Good: Multireligious Views and Case Studies| author=Jerald D. Gort, Henry Jansen, H. M. Vroom|page=250|url=http://books.google.com.pk/books?id=TXZCQIZ3RwcC&pg=PA249&dq=Devil+in+Islam&hl=en#v=onepage&q=Devil%20in%20Islam&f=false}}</ref>
{{quote|It is We Who created you and gave you shape; then We bade the angels prostrate to Adam, and they prostrate; not so Iblis; He refused to be of those who prostrate.<br>(Allah) said: "What prevented thee from prostrating when I commanded thee?" He said: "I am better than he: Thou didst create me from fire, and him from clay."|Quran, sura 7 (Al-A'raf) ayat 11-12<ref>Quran 7:11–12</ref>}}


He was sent to earth along with Adam and Eve, eventually luring them into eating the fruit from the forbidden tree.[9]
Iblis was proud and arrogant and considered himself superior to Adam, since Adam was made from clay and Iblis from smokeless fire. For this act of disobedience, God cursed him to ''Jahannam'' (Hell/Purgatory) for eternity, but gave him respite until the Day of Judgment, after Iblis requested it.<ref>{{cite book|title=Probing The Depths Of Evil And Good: Multireligious Views and Case Studies|author=Jerald D. Gort, Henry Jansen, H. M. Vroom|page=250|url=http://books.google.com.pk/books?id=TXZCQIZ3RwcC&pg=PA249&dq=Devil+in+Islam&hl=en#v=onepage&q=Devil%20in%20Islam&f=false}}</ref> Iblis obtained permission from God and vowed that he would use this time to lead all men and women astray to Hell. In this way, he would prove humanity's inferiority, and justify his act of defiance. For refusing to abide by the will of God, Iblis was cast out of paradise, and thereafter he was called "Shaytan" (Satan).
{{quote|He said: "Give me respite till the day they are raised up."<br>(Allah) said: "Be thou among those who have respite."<br>He said: "Because thou hast thrown me out of the way, lo! I will lie in wait for them on thy straight way:<br>"Then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their left: Nor wilt thou find, in most of them, gratitude (for thy mercies)."<br>(Allah) said: "Get out from this, disgraced and expelled. If any of them follow thee,- Hell will I fill with you all.|Quran sura 7 (Al-Aʻraf), ayah 14-18<ref>Quran 7:14–18</ref>}}


Although God grants the request, he also warns [[Satan]] that he would have no authority over his sincere '''ubūd'' or 'servants'.<ref name="Juan Eduardo Campo 603"/>
{{quote|"As for My servants, no authority shalt thou have over them:" Enough is thy Lord for a Disposer of affairs.|Quran, sura 17 (Al-Isra), ayah 65<ref>Quran 17:65</ref>}}


== Depiction ==
Iblis attempts to corrupt humans through temptation and through false suggestion. At the day of Judgment, Iblis will be sent to Jahannam (the Islamic depiction of Hell) along with the "Companions of the Fire". Muslims believe that through Islam, those who successfully follow a righteous path will be rewarded with the pleasures of Jannah (Paradise).


The Qur'an does not depict Iblis as the enemy of God, for God is seen as supreme over all of his creations and Iblis is just one of his creations.[citation needed] A commonly shared belief in both Islam and Christianity is that the universal existence of evil in the personal lives of individuals is ultimately caused by the work of the devil.[10]
==Shaytan as a "whisperer"==
In Islamic theology, Shaytan and his minions are "whisperers," who whisper into the chests of humans, urging them to sin.


He is more often referred to in the Qur'an as the Shaitan, a general term which is also sometimes used to refer to all of the evil spirits in alliance with Iblis. Iblis is mentioned by name 11 times, whereas Shaitan ("al-Shaitan") is mentioned 87 times.
The Quran provides a supplication for mankind, aimed at fighting the tempting of Satan and his minions:
{{quote|Say: I seek refuge with the Lord and Cherisher of Mankind,<br>The King (or Ruler) of Mankind,<br>The God (or judge) of Mankind,-<br>From the mischief of the Whisperer (of Evil), who withdraws (after his whisper),-<br>(The same) who whispers into the hearts of Mankind,-<br>Among Jinn and among men.|Quran, sura 114 (Al-Nas), ayat 1–6<ref>Quran, sura 114 (Al-Nas), ayat 1–6[15]</ref>}}




==References==
{{reflist|30em}}


== In popular culture ==
In the Star Wars Expanded Universe, there exists a character named Garm Bel Iblis. Curiously, though, he is a sympathetic character.
In the Dune prequels science fiction series there is a corrupted high priest named Iblis Ginjo.


In the original Battlestar Galactica, there was an alien known as Count Iblis. He was seen to be a science fiction equivalent of the Devil and was also the voice of the Cylon Imperious Leader.  
==Bibliography==
* G. Basetti Sani, ''Il peccato di Iblis e degli angeli nel Corano'', Iperbole, Palermo 1987
* C. Saccone, ''Iblis, Il Satana del Terzo Testamento. Santità a perdizione nell'Islam. Letture coraniche II'', Centro Essad Bey, Padova 2012 (Amazon, Kindle Edition)


In Sonic the Hedgehog (2006 game), Silver (the newest character in the Sonic Series) believes that Sonic is the mysterious 'Iblis Trigger'. Iblis is a fiery demon who destroyed the world. In Sonic and the Secret Rings, Iblis, as in the Devil, is mentioned in the spell used by the Erazor Djinn to summon the Ifrit Golem.


The second installment in the Quest for Glory series of adventure games, Trial by Fire, the antagonist Ad Avis plots to release a djinn by the name of Iblis. Releasing him will result in the destruction of the world as well as a gameover. Iblis can only be freed according to a strict prophecy involving the Hero from the East, being you the player.
==External Links==
There is a character in the Star Wars universe named Garm bel Iblis (Garm being the hellhound, like Cerberus, in Norse mythology, and Bel (Baäl) a pagan god). He first appeared in Timothy Zahn's Thrawn trilogy. In contrast to the original Iblis, he was a highly moral senator who opposed Palpatine, and later played vital roles in the Rebellion and New Republic.
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_(Islam) The original source of this article at Wikipedia]
 
In the Playstation 2 exclusive game Primal, in which there are four demon worlds for the user to explore the fourth and most dangerous world Volca is home to the Djinn who are ruled by their King, King Iblis.
 
In the Wheel of Time series, the Nae'blis is Shai'tan's regent on Earth.
 
In World of Warcraft there is a sword called Iblis, Blade of the Fallen Seraph.
 
In the Tom Clancy novel "The Teeth of the Tiger", a federal hero/agent invokes the name of Iblis while forcing a dying Islamic terrorist to hold pigskin in order to induce fear and insult.
MF Grimm has an album entitled The Downfall of Ibliys: A Ghetto Opera.
In Zone of the Enders the Fist of Mars, the Black Frame's true identity is Iblis.
 
A story arc in the Trinity Blood anime is known as The Ibelis (possibly a reference to Iblis) and is inferred in the third such episode in the arc to be a weapon, though what the "Ibelis" is exactly is never elaborated on.
 
 
== See also ==
*[[Satan]]
*[[Lucifer]]
 
 
== References ==
 
1 [1]
 
2 [2]
 
3 [Qur'an 18:50]
 
4 [Qur'an 7:12], [Qur'an 38:76]
 
5 [Qur'an 17:61]; [Qur'an 2:34]
 
6 [3]
 
7 [Qur'an 17:62]
 
8 [Qur'an 17:63-64]
 
9 [Qur'an 7:20-22]
 
10 [4]

Latest revision as of 12:24, 13 September 2014

In Islam, the Devil is known as Iblīs (Arabic: إبليس‎, plural: ابالسة abālisah) or Shayṭān (Arabic: شيطان‎, plural: شياطين shayāṭīn), born under the name Azazel. In Islam, Iblis is a jinni who refused to bow to Adam.

The primary characteristic of the Devil, besides hubris, is that he has no power other than the power to cast evil suggestions into humans and jinn, although the Quran mentions appointing jinn to assist those who are far from God in a general context. "We made the evil ones friends (only) to those without faith."[1]

Namings and etymology

Iblis in Arabic verbal root balasa بَلَسَ, meaning'he despaired'; therefore, the meaning of Iblīs would be 'he/it that causes despair'.[2]

In popular Islamic culture, "Shaytan" (Arabic: شيطان‎), is often simply translated as "the Devil," but the term can refer to any of the jinn who disobeyed God and followed Iblīs. Some scholars are of the view that Iblīs}is the father of all of the jinn, as Adam is the father of all of humanity[3] as mentioned in the Quran (sura 18, Al-Kahf), "Will ye then take him and his progeny as protectors rather than Me? And they are enemies to you!"[4]

Hadith states that his name before his banishment was Azazel.


The Devil in Islamic theology

According to The Oxford Dictionary of Islam, shaytan is used in the Quran in the singular, and the plural shayatin often interchangeably with Iblis, who is "considered to be a particular shaytan."[5]

According to basic Islamic teachings, God revealed the creation of three intelligent species: angels (malāʾikah), jinn, and humans, of which the latter two have been granted free will to choose between good and evil,[6][7] and the Quran states that there is other creation beyond human knowledge "and He has created (other) things of which ye have no knowledge."[8]

The angels do not have free will and cannot sin because they were not granted the freedom by God to disobey. When God created Adam, he commanded all the angels and Iblis (whose rank allowed him to be considered equal to that of an angel) to prostrate to Adam as was termed "the Best of Creation". All the angels did so but Iblis refused to obey, and was brought into a state of rebellion against God.[9] For this God cast him out of Jannah (paradise), and intended to punish him. Iblis begged God to delay the punishment until Yawm al-Qiyāmah (Last Judgment), which was granted by God.[10]

It is We Who created you and gave you shape; then We bade the angels prostrate to Adam, and they prostrate; not so Iblis; He refused to be of those who prostrate.
(Allah) said: "What prevented thee from prostrating when I commanded thee?" He said: "I am better than he: Thou didst create me from fire, and him from clay."

—Quran, sura 7 (Al-A'raf) ayat 11-12[11]

Iblis was proud and arrogant and considered himself superior to Adam, since Adam was made from clay and Iblis from smokeless fire. For this act of disobedience, God cursed him to Jahannam (Hell/Purgatory) for eternity, but gave him respite until the Day of Judgment, after Iblis requested it.[12] Iblis obtained permission from God and vowed that he would use this time to lead all men and women astray to Hell. In this way, he would prove humanity's inferiority, and justify his act of defiance. For refusing to abide by the will of God, Iblis was cast out of paradise, and thereafter he was called "Shaytan" (Satan).

He said: "Give me respite till the day they are raised up."
(Allah) said: "Be thou among those who have respite."
He said: "Because thou hast thrown me out of the way, lo! I will lie in wait for them on thy straight way:
"Then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their left: Nor wilt thou find, in most of them, gratitude (for thy mercies)."
(Allah) said: "Get out from this, disgraced and expelled. If any of them follow thee,- Hell will I fill with you all.

—Quran sura 7 (Al-Aʻraf), ayah 14-18[13]

Although God grants the request, he also warns Satan that he would have no authority over his sincere 'ubūd or 'servants'.[9]

"As for My servants, no authority shalt thou have over them:" Enough is thy Lord for a Disposer of affairs.

—Quran, sura 17 (Al-Isra), ayah 65[14]


Shaytan as a "whisperer"

In Islamic theology, Shaytan and his minions are "whisperers," who whisper into the chests of humans, urging them to sin.

The Quran provides a supplication for mankind, aimed at fighting the tempting of Satan and his minions:

Say: I seek refuge with the Lord and Cherisher of Mankind,
The King (or Ruler) of Mankind,
The God (or judge) of Mankind,-
From the mischief of the Whisperer (of Evil), who withdraws (after his whisper),-
(The same) who whispers into the hearts of Mankind,-
Among Jinn and among men.

—Quran, sura 114 (Al-Nas), ayat 1–6[15]


References

  1. ↑ Quran 7:27
  2. ↑ Iblis
  3. ↑ Is Iblees the father of all Jinn, evil and righteous ones, or a father for only the evil Jinn?.
  4. ↑ Quran 18:50
  5. ↑ Esposito, Oxford Dictionary of Islam, 2003, p.279
  6. ↑ Quran 10:44
  7. ↑ Quran 7:12
  8. ↑ Quran 16:8
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Juan Eduardo Campo. Encyclopedia of Islam.
  10. ↑ Jerald D. Gort, Henry Jansen, H. M. Vroom. Probing The Depths of Evil And Good: Multireligious Views and Case Studies.
  11. ↑ Quran 7:11–12
  12. ↑ Jerald D. Gort, Henry Jansen, H. M. Vroom. Probing The Depths Of Evil And Good: Multireligious Views and Case Studies.
  13. ↑ Quran 7:14–18
  14. ↑ Quran 17:65
  15. ↑ Quran, sura 114 (Al-Nas), ayat 1–6[15]


Bibliography

  • G. Basetti Sani, Il peccato di Iblis e degli angeli nel Corano, Iperbole, Palermo 1987
  • C. Saccone, Iblis, Il Satana del Terzo Testamento. Santità a perdizione nell'Islam. Letture coraniche II, Centro Essad Bey, Padova 2012 (Amazon, Kindle Edition)


External Links

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