In Islam, belief in the unseen world includes belief in angels and Iblis (the devil), two pivotal entities in the spiritual realm. Angels are created beings who carry out Allah’s commands and have specific roles, while Iblis, who was originally a jinn, refused to obey Allah and became the source of evil. Below, we explore the role of angels and Iblis from the Islamic perspective.
In Islam, angels (known as "Mala'ika" in Arabic) are beings created from light. They are considered pure and obedient servants of Allah, with no free will to choose between good and evil. Their primary function is to carry out the will of Allah, executing His commands without question. They are considered part of the unseen world and serve as intermediaries between Allah and humans.
Angels have various roles, and each one has a specific task. Some of the well-known angels in Islam include:
Angels do not possess free will and are entirely obedient to Allah. They are not to be worshipped, as their sole purpose is to serve Allah’s commands. Muslims are taught to believe in the existence of angels, as this is an essential part of faith in Islam. They are invisible to the human eye, though their influence is seen in the world through their actions on behalf of Allah.
Angels play an essential role in the daily lives of Muslims, with their presence being felt in many aspects of spiritual life. They provide guidance, protection, and support. Some angels are sent to assist individuals during significant moments, such as death, birth, or moments of distress.
For example, the angels known as Kiraman Katibin are responsible for recording the deeds of every person. Every human has two angels who sit on their shoulders: one records their good deeds, and the other records their bad deeds. These angels do not influence the actions of individuals but merely record them, and these records will be used as evidence on the Day of Judgment.
Additionally, angels are believed to protect believers from harm. Some angels are sent to protect individuals from physical and spiritual dangers, such as illness, accidents, or temptation. These angels act on Allah’s command to safeguard those who are faithful to Him.
Angels also assist in moments of prayer, helping to amplify the worship of believers. They surround the gatherings where people remember Allah, offering blessings and prayers for those engaged in worship.
Iblis, known as the devil or Satan in Islam, was originally one of the jinn, beings created from smokeless fire. Unlike angels, jinn are created with free will, meaning they can choose to obey or disobey Allah. Iblis was highly revered among the jinn for his devotion and knowledge, and he was given a prominent place among the heavenly host.
However, when Allah created Adam (the first human) and commanded the angels and Iblis to bow down to him as a sign of respect and honor, Iblis refused. He believed that, since he was created from fire and Adam from clay, he was superior to Adam and therefore should not have to bow. His refusal to obey Allah’s command was an act of arrogance and pride, and it led to his downfall.
Allah, angered by Iblis’s disobedience, cast him out of Heaven and cursed him. Iblis then vowed to mislead humans from the path of righteousness and to lead them astray. He is considered the sworn enemy of humanity, working tirelessly to deceive and tempt people into sin and disobedience to Allah. Iblis’s goal is to divert people from worshiping Allah and to lead them into disbelief.
Despite his fall from grace, Iblis is not completely powerless. He can whisper to human beings, planting evil thoughts and encouraging sinful actions. However, Iblis cannot force anyone to commit sin. Muslims are taught that they are responsible for their own actions and must strive to resist Iblis's temptations by remaining obedient to Allah and seeking refuge in Him through prayer and supplication.
Iblis’s role in the life of a believer is to act as a source of temptation and guidance toward evil. He works through whispers and deceit, urging individuals to commit sin, abandon their faith, or ignore the teachings of Allah. He particularly targets believers who are devout in their worship, attempting to weaken their resolve and sow doubts in their hearts.
Muslims are encouraged to seek protection from Iblis by reciting prayers, such as the opening chapter of the Qur'an (Surah Al-Fatiha) and other supplications that seek refuge in Allah. One of the most well-known prayers for protection from Iblis is the recitation of "A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim" ("I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed devil"). By doing so, Muslims protect themselves from the negative influence of Iblis and his efforts to mislead them.
Though Iblis has power to whisper evil, Muslims are taught that they have the ability to resist him through strong faith, righteous deeds, and remembrance of Allah. Allah provides the strength to overcome the whispers and temptations of Iblis. Ultimately, the believer’s success is determined by their ability to stay faithful to Allah, resist the temptation of sin, and remain firm in their devotion.
The final fate of Iblis is sealed, as he will be cast into Hell on the Day of Judgment. Iblis, along with his followers from the jinn and humans who followed his whispers, will face eternal punishment in the Fire as a consequence of their rebellion against Allah and their misguidance of others.
The Qur'an warns that the devil will try to mislead humanity until the end of time, but those who follow Allah’s guidance and reject Iblis’s temptations will be rewarded with eternal life in Paradise. On the Day of Judgment, Iblis will have no power over the believers and will be held accountable for his actions.
Muslims believe that Iblis’s role as a tempter is temporary. His ability to influence humans will end on the Day of Judgment when he will be punished for his arrogance and rebellion against Allah. His followers, those who chose to listen to his temptations, will also face punishment. However, the faithful who resist Iblis’s whispers and stay true to the path of righteousness will be rewarded with Allah's mercy and Paradise.