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Fatwa CenterIblis (Satan)
Question
Was Iblis a Jinn or a Fallen Angel?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. The Qur'an establishes the fact that angels never disobey Allah's orders. Allah Says (Interpretation of meaning): (Allah says (interpretation of meaning): (Who disobey not, (from executing) the commands they receive from Allah but do that which they are commanded). [66:6]. Imam Muslim related from Aiysha (
) she said the Prophet Muhammad (Blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "Angels were created from light, Jinn were created from a smokeless flame of fire and Adam was created from what was described to you". Allah Says (Interpretation of meaning): (And (remember) when We said to the angels; "Prostrate to Adam" So they prostrated except Iblis (Satan). He was one of the Jinn, he disobeyed the commands of his Lord). [18:50]. When Allah ordained angels to prostrate to Adam, Iblis was with them, worshipping Allah like them. He actually had a high position and a good status. But he got jealous of Adam and disobeyed Allah. So he deserved the curse of Allah. Allah Says (Interpretation of meaning):( He was one of the Jinn he disobeyed the commands of his Lord). [18:50]. Since he was with angels acting and worshipping like them, so he came into the address of angels. But he disobeyed . As made clear in the above verse that he was one of the Jinn and he was created from fire as he said: (I am better than him (Adam) , You created me from fire, and him You created from clay).[7:12]. Hasan al-Basari said: "Iblis never belonged to angels, his origin is from Jinn as the origin of Adam is from human being. Ibn Jareer narrated this through a correct chain. Some people say that he was created from a kind of angel called Jinn, that were created from the scorching fire, but the most correct opinion is the first one. Allah knows best.
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