Iblees Was The First Creature That Allah Told Us About His Disbelief
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 (75)
Iblees is the first created being whom Allah informed us of his disbelief, and Allah did not inform us of anyone's disbelief before him, as there is no authentic evidence proving the existence of disbelievers before Iblees. What has been cited from the narration of Ibn Abbas is not reliable, as Ibn Kathir stated. Most scholars agree that Iblees is the first to disbelieve in Allah, and thus he is among the disbelievers who later followed him in disbelief. The meaning of the verse: {except for Iblees. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.} [Al-Baqarah: 34] is based on the consideration that the address is directed towards the nation of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him); it shows the occurrence of the story of Iblees and his disbelief and the many disbelievers, such as Pharaoh, Haman, Qarun, Nimrod, and others, who existed many centuries before the advent of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Thus, these disbelievers, in relation to the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), are from a distant past, just like Iblees. Therefore, Iblees is among the disbelievers who existed before the time of those being addressed, and Allah knows best.
As for the reason for his disbelief, he refused to prostrate and was arrogant, obstinate, and critical, believing that he was justified in his rebellion and tyranny. It was as if he rejected prostrating to Adam as a way to belittle Allah's command and wisdom. Allah Almighty has clarified the reason for Iblees's disbelief and has linked his disbelief to his refusal and arrogance. He said: {except for Iblees. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.} Thus, Iblees's disbelief is due to his refusal and arrogance toward obeying Allah and complying with His command.
Iblees rejected obeying his Lord, and his rejection was accompanied by pride, arrogance, and insistence on refusal. He became a leader for those who oppose Allah's commands and are arrogant towards them. Therefore, anyone who is arrogant and defies Allah's command is a student and follower of Iblees.
Iblees's disbelief was one of obstinacy, and what drove him to disbelieve was his love for leadership, arrogance, and admiration for what he had been given. Imam Ahmad has stated that Iblees had knowledge of Allah, supporting this by His saying: {[Iblees] said, "My Lord, because You have put me in error,} [Al-Hijr: 39].
Ibn Atiyyah dismissed the notion that Iblees's disbelief was one of obstinacy while retaining knowledge, but he considers it possible, as Allah may abandon whomever He wills. Abu Hayyan commented on Ibn Atiyyah's view, stating that what he mentioned as permissible is indeed realized in practice; for instance, Pharaoh was knowledgeable of Allah's oneness and lordship, yet his love for leadership and admiration for his kingship led him to claim divinity despite his knowledge. Similarly, Abu Jahl was aware of the truth of the Prophet’s message and knew that what he brought was true, yet he denied his prophethood and persisted in disbelief. The same applies to Al-Akhnas ibn Shurayq and Umayyah ibn Abi al-Salt, who disbelieved out of obstinacy despite their knowledge of the truthfulness of the messengers.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him, pp. 550-552.
- Satan’s enmity towards man, Al-Hawas, p. 232.
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:
