The Nature of Iblīs and His Background

The traditions cited by Ayatollah Jawadi Amuli in Tafsir al-Tasnim provide a detailed and multifaceted view of Iblīs, offering insights into his origins, nature, and behavior. These accounts clarify the distinctions between Iblīs and the angels, emphasizing his unique background and ultimate downfall due to arrogance and envy.

According to the narrations, Iblīs resided among the angels in heaven, worshipping God alongside them. However, despite being with the angels, he was not one of them. He belonged to the jinn, a distinct creation made from fire, unlike the angels, who were created from light. This distinction became evident when God commanded the angels to prostrate to Adam. While the angels complied, Iblīs refused, revealing the envy and arrogance that had been concealed within him. The angels, who had thought of him as one of their own, realized at this moment that he was fundamentally different.

The narrations describe Iblīs as a being who once held a prominent position. Some accounts state that he was a treasurer in Paradise, a leader among the jinn, and even a commander of armies that fought rebellious jinn on earth. This history of success and distinction contributed to his pride and self-deception, leading him to believe he was superior to Adam. When God informed the angels of His intention to create a vicegerent on earth, Iblīs' hidden arrogance began to surface.

Iblīs' refusal to prostrate was rooted in his perception of superiority. He argued, "You created me from fire and created him from clay," implying that his fiery origin was superior to Adam's earthly composition. This reasoning highlights Iblīs' flawed understanding of divine wisdom and his inability to recognize the inherent value of Adam's creation, which was imbued with the spirit of God.

The narrations also shed light on Iblīs' initial name and identity. In heaven, he was known as al-Ḥārith or Ḥabāb. After his disobedience and fall from divine mercy, he was named Iblīs, a term derived from iblās (despair), signifying his hopelessness of ever attaining God's mercy. This change in name reflects the transformation in his status and essence, marking his descent into being the ultimate symbol of rebellion and misguidance.

Ayatollah Jawadi Amuli highlights the dual nature of Iblīs' interactions with divine commands. While he outwardly obeyed God for an extended period, worshipping and appearing as one of the angels, his inner reality was far from pure devotion. His outward actions masked his inner arrogance and envy, which became evident when he was tested with the command to prostrate to Adam.

The Qur'an confirms Iblīs' nature as a jinn, distinct from the angels, through the verse: "He was of the jinn, so he rebelled against the command of his Lord" (18:50). While some scholars have debated the relationship between angels and jinn, the Qur'anic perspective affirms their essential difference. Iblīs' behavior and rebelliousness further solidify this distinction, as his actions contrast starkly with the infallibility and obedience of the angels.

One tradition narrated by Imam ʿAlī (a.s.) portrays Iblīs' dominance over the hearts of the misguided. He describes how Iblīs "nests and lays eggs in their chests," signifying his complete control over their thoughts and actions. These individuals become extensions of Iblīs, seeing with his vision, speaking with his tongue, and acting under his influence. This metaphor illustrates the profound consequences of succumbing to arrogance and disobedience, transforming individuals into agents of Satanic vicegerency.

The narrations also emphasize the importance of vigilance against traits such as arrogance and envy, which led to Iblīs' downfall. Imam al-Ṣādiq (a.s.) warns against anger, calling it "the key to all evil." Anger, envy, and arrogance are the gateways through which Iblīs influences human behavior, drawing people away from the path of divine vicegerency.

Despite the complexity of Iblīs' background, the overarching message of the narrations is clear: his rebellion stems from his inner flaws and refusal to accept divine wisdom. His history and eventual fall serve as a warning to humanity about the dangers of pride, self-deception, and disobedience. By contrast, the path to divine vicegerency requires humility, submission to God's commands, and purification of the soul.

In conclusion, Iblīs represents a cautionary example of how arrogance and envy can lead even a being of great potential to ultimate ruin. His story, as explained in the Qur'an and traditions, reminds humanity of the need to strive for humility and obedience, qualities that align with the purpose of divine vicegerency.

Reference

Tafsir al-Tasnim (Verse 2:34)