Question:
My question is regarding Iblis. If anyone knows Allah well, it’s probably Iblis. What I don’t understand is with all the knowledge and experience he has of Allah why is he not scared of the punishment of the Hellfire. Why does he not seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent, and if he did will Allah not forgive him?
Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh
Thank you for your question.
To answer your question, it must be noted that mere knowledge is not sufficient for guidance.
Knowledge must be accompanied with spirituality, which includes humbleness and obedience. One should also have the desire to be guided. In the matter of Iblis (the devil), his arrogance and disobedience lead him to be wretched. (Qasas al Ambiya)
When one is arrogant, their ego blinds them from realities. Hence Iblis does not seek guidance nor does he make efforts to be distant from hell.
When one turns to Allah with sincerity, abandoning disobedience, Allah certainly forgives.
“He is the One who raised amidst the unlettered people a messenger from among themselves who recites to them His verses, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and the wisdom, while they were earlier in open error.” (Qur’an 62:2)
“Say, “It is a great news to which you are averse. I had no knowledge of the Heavenly Beings when they were debating (about the creation of ’Adam). Revelation is sent to me only because I am a plain warner. When your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to create man from clay. So, once I make him perfectly and breathe My spirit into him, you must fall down in prostration before him.”
Then, the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together except Iblis (Satan). He waxed proud, and became one of the disbelievers. He (Allah) said, “O Iblis, what did prevent you from prostrating yourself before what I created with My hands? Did you wax proud or were you among the lofty ones?” He said, “I am better than him. You created me from fire, and created him from clay.” He said, “Then, get out from here, for you are accursed, and on you shall remain My curse till the Day of Judgment.”
He said, “O my Lord, then give me respite till the day they are raised again.” He said, “Then, you have been given respite, until the Day of the Appointed Time.” He said, “Then, I swear by Your Might, that I will definitely lead them astray, all of them except Your chosen servants among them.” He (Allah) said, “Then, the truth is-and it is (always) the truth that I speak that I will definitely fill the Jahannam with you and with those who will follow you from among them, all together.”
Say (O Prophet to the unbelievers,) “I do not demand from you any fee for it, nor am I from among those who make up things artificially. It is nothing but an advice for all the worlds. And you will come to know its reality after a while.”
(Qur’an 38:67-88)
And Allah knows best.
Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Badat
Hadith of the Day Imam
Imam of the Islamic Foundation of Toronto and Director of Mathabah Institute
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