Who is Satan

 

Who is Satan?

Satan is a creature from the world of the jinn. Jinn are creations of God that are made from fire. They are separate and different from both the angels and humankind, but like humankind, they possess the power of reason and can choose between good and evil.

The jinn existed before the creation of Adam, and Satan was the most righteous among them, so much so that he was elevated to a high position among the angels.

{So the angels prostrated, all of them together, but not Iblees [Satan]; he refused to be among those who prostrated. [Allah] said, "O Iblees, what is the matter with you that you are not among those who prostrate?" He said, "I am not one to prostrate to a human whom You created out of clay, shaped from black mud." [Allah] said, "Then get out of here, for indeed, you are expelled. Indeed, you are cursed until the Day of Judgment." (Surah Al-Hijr 15:30-35) 

The Role of Satan

Satan was there in the Paradise of Adam and Eve, and his vow was to misguide and deceive them and their descendants. Satan said: {“...surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left..."} (Surah Al-Araf 7:16-17)

Satan was arrogant and considered himself better than Adam and of all humankind.

He is crafty and cunning, and he understands the ultimate weakness of human beings; he recognizes their loves and desires.

Satan did not say to Adam and Eve, "Go eat from that tree," nor did he come right out and tell them to disobey God. Instead, He whispered into their hearts and planted disquieting thoughts and desires. 

Satan told Adam and Eve, {...Your Lord forbade you this tree only to keep you from becoming angels or becoming immortal.} (Surah Al-Araf  7:20) 

Their minds became filled with thoughts of the tree, and one day they decided to eat from it. Adam and Eve behaved as all human beings do; they became preoccupied with their own thoughts and the whisperings of Satan, and they forgot the warning from God. 

Islam in no way indicates that Eve was the weaker of the two, or that she tempted Adam to disobey God. Eating the fruit of the tree was a mistake committed by both of them, and they bear equal responsibility. This was not the ‘original sin’ spoken about in Christian traditions, and the descendants of Adam are not being punished for the sins of their original ancestors. Adam and Eve made a mistake, and God, in His infinite Wisdom and Mercy, forgave them both.