The Arrogant Refusal of Iblīs

The phrase “was arrogant” (istakbara) coming after “he refused” (abā) indicates that the refusal of Iblīs was out of arrogance, not out of concern and fear, which is mentioned in the issue of the refusal of the heavens, earth, and mountains to bear the trust: “Indeed, we offered the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and feared it” (33:72).

Of course, the refusal of the heavens and the earth, which are not obligated according to the apparent meaning, is different from the refusal of Iblīs, who can be obligated. What causes a fall from a high position is an arrogant refusal, meaning the claim of independence of a lowly creature before the Mighty God, not a refusal out of concern and fear of inability to bear it. In summary, refusal is sometimes from accepting and receiving something, and sometimes from performing a specific action, and in any case, it is sometimes praiseworthy and sometimes blameworthy.