Who is Satan شيطان (The Devil) and Who created Satan?
In Islam, Allah created at least three intelligent species, Angels, Jinns and Humans of which the latter two have been granted free will to choose between “Good” and “Evil”.
In Islam, Satan (Iblis) is known as the Devil. In the Quran, Allah created Satan out of “smokeless fire or from the pure flame of fire (along with all the other jinn (supernatural creatures))” and created man out of clay. The character of Satan is that he has no power other than the power to case evil suggestions into the heart of mankind and jinn. It is refer to any of the beings who rebelled against Allah. Satan was a jinn and a devoted servant of Allah.
Allah said “We have made Satans friends of those who do not believe”. (Quran al Araf, 7:27).
Satan was proud and arrogant and considered himself superior to Adam. His act of disobedience, Allah cursed him to Hell for eternity and gave him respite until the Judgment Day (Qiyamah). Satan obtained permission from Allah and vowed that he would use this time to lead all mankind astray to Hell as a way of revenge. Satan refuse to obey Allah’s order and he was thrown out of Paradise and thereafter he was called as Satan (Quran Al-Araf , 7:11-18).
Although Allah granted Satan request, Allah warns him that he would have no authority over His Sincere command (Quran Al Isra, 17:65).
In Islam, Satan and his followers are “Whisperers” who whisper in the hearts of mankind, urging them to commit Sin. This is where the desire to Sin comes from. The Quran provides a prayer for mankind aimed to fight against the tempting of Satan and his followers. (Quran Al-Nas, 114)
Allah said “Satan is your enemy so treat him as an enemy. He calls his followers that they will be among the people of the blazing Fire” (Quran Fatir , 35:6).
Although Satan aims to succeed, it is not necessary that he succeed in tempting people to worship him. His only wish is to keep mankind from the truth of the religion of Allah, as espoused in the Quran to prevent them from worshipping Allah sincerely and, as a result, to ensure they will ultimately have been doomed to eternal torment. At times, by using the appearance of goodness, he will make reference to the name of Allah, that he may lead people astray from the truth of the religion. That is sufficient for him to drag people with him into the depths of Hell. It is the unavoidable end for those who choose to follow him.
Allah said “About whom it is decreed that whoever makes friends with him, he will invariably lead him astray and conduct him to the sufferings of the flaming fire” (Quran Al-Hajj, 22:4)
Satan has no power beyond that granted to him by Allah. Satan's aim is to be a means whereby mankind destined for Hell end up in the place appointed for them. Those who follow Satan are unworthy of Allah's Paradise, being morally lower even than animals. Allah reveals this truth in the verses of His Holy Book Quran (Quran Al-Araf, 7:179)
Moreover, Satan has no influence over those sincere servants of Allah because Allah prevents it, Satan's influence is incapable of diverting believers from the true path. Allah protects those of His servants who devote themselves to Him, and who do not deify others besides Him, from the perverting effects of Satan. (Quran Al-Nahl, 16:99-100)
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) warned True Muslims in his Last Speech, of the false traps of Satan “Beware of Satan, for the sake of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in grave issues, so beware of following him in minor aspects”.
Satan has been charged with a role by Allah which the believers, whom Allah has created for His Paradise, and others, created for Hell, may be distinguished from each another. Therefore, this means serves as a purging. Those with diseased or corrupt hearts are kept from or separated from the believers, by means of Satan. Allah has revealed in His Holy Book Quran that Satan's influence will affect only the following sort of people. The difficulties which Satan seeks to inflict upon believers offer an opportunity by which they may draw closer to Allah in this world, and increase their faith. (Quran Al-Hajj, 22:53-54)
Allah created him, and holds him under His control. Satan's bad intention is meant to test human beings. He can only persuade the believers to do small errors during his life in this world. He only has the power to cause those with evil hearts (i.e. Satan) to go astray.
Allah said “I will fill up Hell with you and every one of them who follows you” (Quran Sad, 38:85)
The character of Satan:
· He is defiant, impudent & ungrateful
· He is rebellious
· His influence is without effect upon the believers
· His power is only sufficient to tempt
· He is man’s enemy
· He is an enemy to Prophets
· He is stain on mankind
· He has been expelled from the presence of Allah (SWT)