Lucifer Was Never Innocent: Unmasking the Arrogance of Iblis in Islam
Recently, a book was released that explored the character of Lucifer from various perspectives, attempting to portray him as a misunderstood figure, even suggesting his innocence before his rebellion. This narrative, however, stands in stark contrast to Islamic teachings, where the story of Iblis (the Islamic equivalent of Lucifer) is clear: he was never innocent, and his defiance against Allah was rooted in arrogance and pride from the very beginning.
The Story of Iblis in Islam
In Islamic belief, the story of Lucifer / Iblis begins when Allah created the first human being, Adam (peace be upon him), and ordered all of His creations, including the angels and Iblis (who was a jinn), to prostrate before Adam. This act of prostration was not one of worship, but one of respect and acknowledgment of Adam’s special status as Allah’s khalifah (vicegerent) on earth. While the angels obeyed without hesitation, Iblis refused.
The Quran narrates this in several places, including Surah Al-A’raf (7:11-12):
“And We certainly created you, [O mankind], and gave you [human] form. Then We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate to Adam’; so they prostrated, except for Iblis. He was not of those who prostrated. [Allah] said, ‘What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?’ [Satan] said, ‘I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay.'”
This refusal was not due to any misunderstanding or innocence on the part of Iblis. It was a direct act of defiance against Allah’s command, born out of arrogance. Iblis saw himself as superior because he was made from fire, while Adam was made from clay. This sense of superiority led him to rebel against Allah’s will.
The Concept of Arrogance and Disobedience
In Islam, arrogance is one of the most severe spiritual diseases, and Iblis’s story is the epitome of how arrogance can lead one away from the path of righteousness. Iblis was given knowledge and had been in the presence of Allah. Yet, his arrogance blinded him to the truth, causing him to refuse Allah’s order and, in turn, be cast out from His mercy.
The Quran continues to describe how, after this act of rebellion, Lucifer / Iblis not only disobeyed Allah but also vowed to lead humanity astray. In Surah Al-Hijr (15:39), Iblis says:
“[Iblis] said, ‘My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all.'”
This was not the statement of an innocent being but of one who, fully aware of his disobedience, chose to become an adversary to Allah and His creation.
Iblis’s Role as a Tempter
It’s important to understand that Lucifer / Iblis was never a force of innocence. He represents the temptation that pulls humans away from the path of righteousness, continuously whispering doubts and evil thoughts into the hearts of people. His role is to test humanity, to tempt them with sin, and to deviate them from the straight path.
Islamic teachings emphasize that every human being has free will. While Iblis may tempt and whisper, it is ultimately the choice of the individual to follow or reject his influence. Allah, in His infinite mercy, has given humans the tools to resist Iblis: the guidance of the Quran, the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the ability to seek forgiveness.
The Misguided Narrative of Innocence
The recent trend of romanticizing or portraying Lucifer/Iblis as innocent is a dangerous one, as it distorts the understanding of evil, arrogance, and rebellion in Islam. In Islamic belief, Iblis was never a tragic or misunderstood figure. His arrogance and refusal to submit to Allah’s command were conscious decisions, and his rebellion was driven by a sense of superiority, not innocence.
This narrative seeks to blur the lines between good and evil, suggesting that even rebellion against the Creator can be justified or explained away as mere misunderstanding. But Islam is clear: Lucifer / Iblis’s defiance was a result of his own arrogance, and he remains the embodiment of disobedience and the enemy of humanity.
Conclusion
Lessons from Iblis’s Story
The story of Lucifer Iblis serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of arrogance and disobedience. In Islam, it teaches us that no matter how much knowledge or spiritual experience one may have, arrogance can blind the heart to the truth. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of humility before Allah, and the need to remain steadfast in following His commands.
As Muslims, we are reminded to seek refuge in Allah from the whisperings of Iblis and to strive for sincerity, humility, and obedience to our Creator. The portrayal of Iblis as an innocent or misunderstood figure in any form of literature is not only inaccurate but harmful, as it undermines the fundamental understanding of good, evil, and free will in Islam.
Iblis was never innocent. His story is a lesson for all of humanity to recognize the dangers of pride and rebellion against divine wisdom.