In Islamic belief, the story of 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 continues to describe how, after this act of rebellion, 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.
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 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.
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.