Iblees Is From The Jinn And Not From The Angels
Selections from the Book The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him …
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (74)
Ibn Kathir, in his interpretation of the verse: {And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," and they prostrated, except for Iblees.} [Al-Kahf: 50], said that Iblees's origin betrayed him, as he was created from a smokeless flame of fire, whereas the angels were created from light. He emphasized that Iblees is mentioned here as one of the jinn, highlighting that he was created from fire.
The term "jinn" is a generic name that refers to that category of creatures which Allah created from fire. Allah Almighty says: {He created man from clay like [that of] pottery. (14) And He created the jinn from a smokeless flame of fire. (15)} [Ar-Rahman: 14-15].
Allah Almighty said: {And We did certainly create man out of clay from an altered black mud. (26) And the jinn We created before from scorching fire. (27)} [Al-Hijr: 26-27].
The "scorching fire" refers to intensely hot fire, while the "smokeless flame" of fire is the hottest part of the flame and the first part of the black smoke that rises from the fire. It is the mixture and blending of these two components together.
This is what the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, confirmed. Muslim narrated on the authority of Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, who said: The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Angels were created from light, jinns were created from a smokeless flame of fire, and 'Adam was created from that which you have been told (i.e., sounding clay like the clay of pottery).”
Because the jinn are created from "smokeless flame of fire"; Their nature is fiery and subtle. Their fiery nature comes from that hot part of the flame, while their subtlety is due to the part of the black smoke, which conceals and covers what lies behind it. It is known that black smoke obscures and hides what is beyond it.
The jinn, created from the smokeless flame of fire, are in contrast to humans, who are created from clay. These two are the rational and accountable species that inhabit the earth.
The jinn have their own world and life, and they move among us on earth. They can see us while we cannot see them, as Allah Almighty says: {he sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them.} [Al-A'raf: 27].
The jinn are obligated like us; they are commanded to believe in Allah alone and to worship Him alone. Among them are those who have submitted and found guidance, while others have rebelled and disbelieved. The Muslims among them will be rewarded and enjoy Paradise, while their disbelievers will be punished in Hell.
Allah Almighty said about the Muslim jinn and the disbelieving jinn: {And among us are Muslims [in submission to Allah], and among us are the unjust. And whoever has become Muslim - those have sought out the right course. (14) But as for the unjust, they will be, for Hell, firewood.' (15)} [Al-Jinn: 14-15].
For this reason, the jinn declared their faith when they heard the Holy Qur'an, as mentioned in the first verses of Surah Al-Jinn. Allah Almighty says: {Say, [O Muhammad], "It has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn listened and said, 'Indeed, we have heard an amazing Qur’ān [i.e., recitation]. (1) It guides to the right course, and we have believed in it. And we will never associate with our Lord anyone. (2)} [Al-Jinn: 1-2].
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him, pp. 530-532.
- The Positions of the Prophets in the Qur’an, Al-Khalidi, p. 31.
- Sahih Muslim, No.: 2996.
- Interpretation of the Great Qur’an, Ibn Kathir, 3/84.
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
