Iblis was one of the most devoted worshippers of Allah (God). His unwavering obedience and dedication to God were unparalleled, and due to his piety, he was elevated to high ranks among the Angels. He was one of the few who were granted the honor of witnessing the might, power, and glory of God, though always behind a veil, which maintained the sanctity and mystery of the Divine Presence.
There came a time when a great war erupted between the forces of good and evil. This war involved the demons, also known as Hinns, Binns, and other Jinns, pitted against the angels. The battle was fierce, and the outcome was critical for the balance of creation. Iblis chose to side with the angels, aligning himself with the forces of God. His valor and dedication during this war elevated his status even further, earning him immense respect and honor among the highest ranks. The war resulted in massive bloodshed and destruction.
The majority of the pre-Adamic creation was annihilated or driven to extinction, leaving only the Jinns as the dominant beings on Earth. The Jinns, unlike other creations, possessed free will. Most of them were inclined towards evil and rebellion, though there were pious and righteous Jinns among them as well. In the aftermath of this great conflict, Allah planned to initiate a new creation on Earth—human beings. This decision is encapsulated in the Quran: “And [mention, O Muḥammad], when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority.’ They said, ‘Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we exalt You with praise and declare Your perfection?’ He [Allāh] said, ‘Indeed, I know that which you do not know.’ [2:30]Iblis, having played a crucial role in the great war, harbored the hope that he would be appointed as the “Khalifa” or “Ruler” of Earth. He believed his loyalty and service had earned him this position.
However, Allah had different plans. He created Adam, the first human, and commanded all jinns and angels to prostrate before him as a sign of respect and acknowledgment of his unique creation. Iblis, driven by arrogance and pride, refused to obey this command. He argued, “You created me from fire and created him from mud.”Allah despises arrogance and pride. The defiance of Iblis was particularly egregious because he had directly witnessed the existence and might of Allah. Unlike atheists, who doubt or deny God’s existence due to a lack of direct experience, Iblis had no such excuse.
His rebellion was not born out of ignorance but out of sheer arrogance and a refusal to accept the divine will. Allah, in His infinite wisdom, knew the true intentions of Iblis. Perhaps Iblis’s worship and loyalty were driven by a desire for power and status rather than genuine devotion. While Adam(A.s), after his transgression, repented sincerely and was forgiven, Iblis stubbornly refused to repent. His refusal to seek forgiveness and his continued arrogance led to his banishment.
This narrative illustrates a profound moral lesson. Anyone who sincerely repents will find mercy and forgiveness from God. However, those who knowingly reject God’s commands out of pride and a desire for worldly benefits will face His wrath. Iblis’s story is a reminder of the dangers of arrogance and the importance of humility and repentance in the eyes of the Divine.