A DIALOGUE WITH THE DEVIL: The Turning Point In The History of Man And Satan.

 

A Dialogue With The Devil

The Turning Point

In The History Of

Man And Satan

(M. Javed Naseem)

Allah the Almighty is the Supreme Creator and we are His humble creation. Allah likes us when we are humble but most of us are boastful and proud. We show our pride – rather arrogance – in material gains, possessions and worldly status. Because of that pride, we often ignore and disobey our Creator – the Most Merciful Allah. But Allah is so full of grace and mercy that He continues showering His mercy, blessings and bounties upon us all the time.

Arrogance (‘Takabbar’) is very hateful in the eyes of Allah, the Almighty. Arrogance cost Iblees (Shaitan or the Devil) his high status when he used to hang out with angels in Paradise. He was degraded and cursed by Allah for his disobedience (based on arrogance). Thus Satan (Shaitan) became the biggest adversary of man. Allah promised him and his followers Hell as their final destination.

Here is a brief dialogue between Allah, the Creator, and Iblees (Shaitan or the Devil) as recorded in the Holy Quran, Surah al-A’raaf, Verses 12-18; and Surah al-Nissa, verses 117-120. That was the turning point in the history of mankind as Devil, who was the most pious and a great servant of Allah the Almighty among the Jinn, became an open enemy to Adam and his offspring (all human beings) because of his disobedience based on arrogance or superiority complex. His argument was that he was superior because he was a Jinn who was created from fire, while Adam was a human who was created from mud (clay or earth). That was why he could not fall into prostration to Adam.

“(Allah) said: ‘What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?’ He said: ‘I am better than he: You have created me from fire, and him from clay.’ 

(Allah) said: ‘Get you down from here: it is not for you to be arrogant here: get out, for you are of the meanest (of creatures).’

He said: ‘Give me respite till the day they are raised up.’ 

(Allah) said: ‘Be you among those who have respite.’ 

He said: ‘Because you have thrown me out of the way, lo! I will lie in wait for them on your straight path. Then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their left. Nor will you find, in most of them, gratitude (for your mercies).’ 

(Allah) said: ‘Get out from here, disgraced and expelled! If any of them (humans) follows you, Hell will I fill with you all.” – (al-Quran 7:12-18).

Since that, the Devil has become a clear enemy of man. He attacks us from all sides, on all matters and in every field, especially the affairs of Deen (Islam). He is trying to send as many of us astray as possible, to prove his point. On the other hand, Allah the Most Merciful, keeps warning us about it and when we seek Allah's help and protection from the Devil, Allah bestows it upon us too and saves us from falling in the pit of fire.

Allah tells us in the Quran that despite all His warnings and signs, man continues to fall into the trap of the Devil.

“They invoke in His stead only female deities;

they pray to none else than Satan, a rebel.
Allah did curse him, but he said: "I will take

of Your servants a portion Marked off;
"I will mislead them, and I will create in them

false desires; I will order them to slit the ears

of cattle, and to deface the (fair) nature created

by Allah." Whoever, forsaking Allah, takes

Satan for a friend, has of a surety suffered

a loss that is manifest. Satan makes them

promises, and creates in them false desires;

but Satan's promises are nothing but deception.”

(al-Quran 4:117-120)

Allah, the Most Merciful, has set the limits or boundaries for us in all fields of life to make things easier and clear for us, so that we don't go astray. Going astray means chasing the Hellfire as our final destination. If we follow the revelations sent to us via the Quran, we cannot go astray. If we are mindful of Allah, we'll be blessed with guidance. That guidance is our best defence. It's the best protection we can get to stay out of the harm's way. The Devil and his disciples cannot misguide us while we are guided by the Quran and Allah's commands. Only Allah, the Most Merciful and Gracious, is our real protecting guardian.

“Give this warning to those in whose (hearts)

is the fear that they will be brought (to judgment)

before their Lord; except for Him they will have

no protector nor intercessor;

so that they may guard (against evil).”

(al-Quran 6:51)

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