Prophets Stories In Islam

The Story of Iblis

The Shaitan, or the Devil in English, is a character that has been present with us since the creation of Mankind by Allah (swt). The true nature, history and actions of this character has amazed many non-islamic scholars around the world. For Muslims however, the clear indications given by the Holy Quran and the noble Ahlul Bait (AS) have provided a definite picture.
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In the Quran, the word Shaitan or evildoers is used to refer to Iblis or Azazil, one of the most worshippers of Allah among the Jinn. Due to this characteristic, Iblis was at the highest ranking of the Angels. .
As per Sufism, The Lord of the worlds created the Fire of Sammun. From this Fire of Sammun He (Swt) created the Jinn. And the Jinn created we before of Fire flaming (Al-Hijr. 27). The first of the Jinn was named Marij and the Lord Created second one to be his wife, and she was named Marija. They had a son and they called him Jinn. From them derived all the clans of the Jinn, including Iblis. And the Lord gave them the earth to dwell therein. And they lived and worshipped there for a long time.
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So much did they worship that the Angels grew amazed, and said to the Lord of the Heavens and Earth; "Oh our Lord, raise them up to Heaven, so that we might learn  from them and follow their good example. " So the Lord brought Iblis, then He was named Azazil, up to be among the Angels and he lived with them in the first heaven. Others remained living on earth and, remained righteous, while a number of them became sinners and transgressed the law, as did the children of Adam (AS) after them.
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And the earth began to complain of them to the Lord. "Oh my Lord, have you created me that I should be peopled by disobedient-folk?"
The Lord answered, "Oh earth, be patient, I shall send Prophets among them to lead them back to the straight path."
Until that time no Prophets had appeared among the jinn. The Lord sent to them 800 Prophets, and they killed each one. At last the Lord spoke to Azazil in the first Heaven. And He (swt) said to him Go. Azazil. Go and fight the unbelievers of your people living on earth.
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Azazil obeyed and descended onto earth and fought the unbelievers, vanquishing them then the Lord sent down a fire from the skies and it consumed them, so not a trace remained. The only Jinn left alive were the believing and worshipping JINN.
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Again Azazil prayed so eagerly that he was raised up into the first heaven, or according to one narration, he worshipped so much in the first heaven that he was raised up through all the seven heavens and above them. He worshipped on the earth. He worshipped on the heaven, until Adam (AS) was brought into existence. Then the Lord ordered all the Angels to bow down before Adam (AS) and when the Lord ordered them all to bow down and prostrate before Adam (AS), he refused and his hidden disobedient was exposed. The only entity to disobey was Iblis, who was then asked by the Almighty for the reason: "He (Iblis) said: I am better than He (Adam), thou hast created me of fire, while him thou dist created of dust." (7:12)
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From Hassan Al Basri (R.A): Iblis worshipped above the seven heavens for more than 70,000 years, until he was raised to the station of Ridwan which is very high Station, Ridwan being the guardian of Paradise. Iblis was the guardian of paradise for 1000 years. Once He read an inscription on the gates of Paradise, and it read: There is a servant among the most highly favored servants of the Almighty Lord, and for a long time he will be obedient and serve his Lord well; there will come a day, however, on which he will oppose his Lord and disobey, and he will be driven from His gates and be cursed. Iblis, who was then still called Azazil, read and wondered at this prediction. How can that be. He asked. That one of the closest servants to the Lord, he pleaded. Give me permission to curse that rebellious one, whoever he may be. The Lord gave him permission, and Iblis showered curses upon that future sinner for one thousand years, knowing not that it was to be himself.
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As per Muslim belief, Shaitan is created from Jinn, and in the same way that humans descended from Adam (AS), Jinns descended from Shumar. Shumar, also known as Shuma, is often referred to as Abu-Jinn (father of Jinn). Adam (as) family multiplies; likewise Shumar's family does as well.
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Jinn were present before Adam (as) and that is why Allah (swt) said: "Umma Khalaqna Tul Jinna Wal Insana" ("jinn and insaan were created for Allah's (swt) worship"). The stress is on Jinn first and then Insaan. For Jinn, Allah made separate rules and regulations. After 36,000 years of their existence, they forgot to follow Allah's law and so Allah destroyed them and made a new community of Jinn. Those who remained obedient, they went into the sea, air and jungles to secretly obey the law of Allah, out of the vision of the disobedient ones. From these obedient Jinn, Allah made a new nation of Jinn. Of these Jinn, Allah designated a leader (nabi) amongst them who would make sure that these jinn would follow Allah's order. The name of this leader (nabi) of the jinn was Hilyanis. After another 36,000 years these jinn again became disobedient and assassinated King Hilyanis, and so, Allah destroyed this community of jinn. Again Allah saved the obedient Jinns and from them appointed another Nabi called Bilqiya. They again became disobedient and Allah destroyed them. Allah having destroyed them for the third time, Allah appointed, from the families of those who were the followers of Allah, another leader (Nabi) called Hamus.
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After another 36,000 years they killed Hamus and became disobedient of Allah. Finally it was the period of Shuma, and when again the jinns disobeyed Allah, the Angels came and destroyed this nation. The Angels found only 4 or 6 jinns who were obeying Allah, who were hiding inside jungles engaged in duty. It is from these obedient jinns that the descendents of jinn remain today. From these obedient jinns, the Angels found a baby called Azazil, whose father's name was Khabis, and mother's name was Nilbis.The face of Khabis was like a lion and his nature was alike. Nilbis's face was like a tiger and so was her character. Azazil's character and face was a mixture of his two parents. Allah took him to the place of Angels and He was appointed teacher to them. Azazil was given the title "Angel Makram" (Teachers to Angels).
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He was also referred to as "Mu'ellim ul Malakut" (master of Angels). During one event, the Angels saw written in the arsh (space), that one of the worshippers will be punished. When the Angels saw this, they became afraid of Allah's punishment and, in fear and wonderment over who this could be, requested Azazil to pray for them (since he was their teacher). Azazil gave them consolation that he knew this fact long ago and that they shouldn't worry - but they insisted that he should still pray and his prayer was accepted. He then became known as "Mustajibul Wath" or "Those whose prayer, Allah accepts". Interestingly, Azazil had prayed for everyone but himself. Some time passed, Azazil saw something written on the Arsh again. The words "Authobillahi Minashaytaan Nirajim" was written in golden type. After uttering this prayer, he requested to Allah, "who is that outcast, shaytaan?" Allah said that he was one of His worshippers. Then Allah said, "That is one of my worshippers, I have bestowed upon him lots of honour but still he disobeys me." Azazil replied, "Rabbiul Izzat" (Allah's honour) "Who is that disobedient, can I see him?" Allah said, "In time you will meet him."
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However Allah knew the nature of Iblis before, but wanted to reveal his story of disobedience as a true lesson for all mankind. It was this transgression of Iblis that made him deserving of the name 'Al-shaitaan' or As a result of this transgression, God turned Iblis out of his court and sentenced him to punishment. However, Iblis asked God for respite till the Day of Judgment and declared that because God had turned him out of his court and had sentenced him to punishment because of man, he would therefore always be an enemy to man. He, and those who become his agents, would do all that they can to turn man away from the path of God and as a consequence, suffer the everlasting punishment of hellfire.
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