Page 17 - Satan: The Sworn Enemy of Mankind

The Sworn Enemy of Mankind
this danger:
Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind, the King of
mankind, the God of mankind, from the evil of the insidi-
ous whisperer who whispers in people's breasts, from
among the jinn and mankind." (Surat an-Nas, 1-6)
Because Satan is a foe with the ability to approach man so de-
ceptively, all need to take especial care in order to avoid him. The
first precondition in this regard is to acknowledge Satan's existence.
Once this point is recognized, we can then consider Satan's purpose
to be founded on the most peculiar and incongruent form of logic.
At the root of his logic, subsequently employed by all those who fol-
low in his footsteps, is pride and arrogance.

Satan's Peculiar Logic
The reason for Iblis' rebellion against Allah is set out in the
Qur'an with the following account:
He said, "What prevented you from prostrating when I
commanded you to?" He [Iblis] replied, "I am better than
him. You created me from fire, and You created him from
clay." (Surat al-A`raf, 12)
Iblis refused to bow before a human being because he regarded
himself as superior. However, the premise on which he bases that re-
jection is unfounded, and refers to superficial criteria. He maintains
that he was created from fire, while man is from clay, implying that
the former is superior in substance to the latter. In other words, the
entire basis of his arrogance is founded on the supposed physical
difference in composition between the two substances. The fact is,
however, that Allah created both man and Iblis, whatever the mate-
rial. It is completely irrational, and astounding impudence, that a

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