DEVIL’S WORLDVIEW – ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

Preamble – I want to appreciate and specially thank Rolu in accommodating my view on his wall without restriction. Again, this post seeks to present Islamic Perspective to the on-going debate and contrary views based on reliable and verifiable sources are welcome.

What Devil did?

In Islam, the Devil is known as Iblis or Shaytan. Iblis is a jinn who refused to bow to Prophet Adam (AS). Almighty Allah revealed the creation of three intelligent species: angels (mala’ikah), jinn (spirit) and human, of which the latter two have been granted free will to choose between good and evil.

When Allah created Adam, he commanded all the angels and Iblis (Devil) to prostrate to Prophet Adam (AS). All the angels did so but Iblis (Devil) refused to obey, and was brought into a state of rebellion against Allah. The Glorious Quran states:

“Behold! We said to the Angesl, ‘Bow down to Adam’: they bowed down except Iblis. He was one of the Jinns, and he broke the command of Lord” – Quran 18:50.

The Glorious Quran states further:

“It is We (Allah) who created you and gave you shape; then Allah bade the Angels bow down to Adam, and they bowed down; not so Iblis (Devil), he refused to be those who bow down. Allah said: ‘What prevented thee from bowing down when I commanded thee? He said: I am better than he (Prophet Adam): Thou didst create me from fire, and him from clay. Allah said: ‘Get thee down from this: it is not for thee to be arrogant here: get out, for thou art of meanest (of creatures). He(Devil) said: ‘Give me respite till the day they are raised up (day of resurrection). (Allah) said: ‘Be thou amongst those who have respite.’ He said: ‘Because thou hast thrown me out of the way, lo! I will lie in wait for them on thy straight way: Then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their left: Nor wilt Thou find, in most of them, gratitude (of Thy mercies).’ (Allah) said: ‘Get out from this, disgraced and expelled. If any of them follow thee, Hell will I fill with you all” – Quran 7: 11-18.

Iblis was proud and arrogant and considered himself superior to Adam, since Adam was made from clay and Iblis from smokeless fire. For this act of disobedience, God cursed him to Jahannam (Hell) for eternity, but gave him respite until the Day of Judgment, after Iblis requested it. Iblis obtained permission from God and vowed that he would use this time to lead all men and women astray to Hell. In this way, he would prove humanity's inferiority, and justify his act of defiance. For refusing to abide by the will of God, Iblis was cast out of paradise, and thereafter he was called "Shaytan" (Satan).

Although Allah (SWT) grants the request, He also warns Satan that he would have no authority over his sincere 'ubūd  ('servants):

"As for My servants, no authority shalt thou have over them:" Enough is thy Lord for a Disposer of affairs. —Quran 17:65.

Devil, Brain and Heart?

Devil does not whisper to humans brain as being erroneously conceived. Iblis whispered into the heart in accordance with Islamic theological teaching. In other words, human beings either accept the whispering of Satan or reject it. Thus, the onus of sin rest with individual and not the devil.

Scientists only confirmed the pivotal role of the heart as revealed in Quran that contains a sophisticated network of neurons and it secrete hormones that control the entire body.

Recent scientific researches confirm that information flows from heart to inside brain through special paths, as these information leads brain cells to be able to understand and realize (cited in The Heart’s Code by Dr Paul Pearsall). Prof. Arthur Caplan, Head of Medical Ethics at University of Pennsylvania contented that heart leads and control brain’s neurons. Again, blood that carries Oxygen and other essential requirements are pumped from the heart to the brain and the seat of love, hate, arrogance, ego, humility etc lie in heart.

Nowadays, scientists are working to establish many centres concerned about studying relationship between heart and brain and the relationship between heart and cognitive and psychological operation.

For more 1400 years ago, Almighty Allah in Holy Quran says:

“Have they not travelled through the land, and have their hearts wherewith to understand and ears wherewith to hear? Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind” – Quran 22:46.

Almighty Allah confirms on heart’s role in directing people to the Straight Way thus:

“…and whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart to the true Faith. And Allah is the All-Knower of everything ” – Quran 64:11

In Islamic theology, Shaytan and his minions are "whisperers," who whisper into the hearts of humans, urging them to sin.

The Quran provides a supplication for mankind, aimed at fighting the tempting of Satan and his minions:

Say: I seek refuge with the Lord and Cherisher of Mankind,
The King (or Ruler) of Mankind,
The God (or judge) of Mankind,-
From the mischief of the Whisperer (of Evil), who withdraws (after his whisper),-
(The same) who whispers into the hearts of Mankind,-
Among Jinn and among men.

—Quran 114: 1–6

In conclusion, someone came to Prophet Muhammed (SAW) that which is the greatest Jihad in the path of Allah and the Prophet responded “It is the Jihad against your own soul (from evil whispering of Shaytan) ”.  OBVIOUSLY, EVERY SOUL SHALL BE ACCOUNTED FOR HIS OWN SIN AND THE BURDEN LIES ON INDIVIDUAL SOUL AND NOT THE DEVIL.