Page 96 - Satan: The Sworn Enemy of Mankind

SATAN: THE SWORN ENEMY OF MANKIND

They Form False Interpretations
The Arabic word tawil means "explanation," "interpretation." A
second meaning is a person's refusal to admit to an error out of a
lack of sincerity, and then offering unfounded excuses to justify
their mendacity. Careful consideration of the matter, though, will re-
veal that the first being ever to commit such falsehood was Satan. As
we already reviewed, Satan opposed Allah's command to prostrate
himself before the Prophet Adam (as). Then, when he was warned
by Allah, he utterly refused to admit to his error, but attempted in-
stead to portray his action as correct. In accordance to his deviant
logic, he attempted to show that he was in the right by maintaining
that fire is superior to clay.
This tendency in Satan is also to be discovered in the hyp-
ocrites. They also engage in illogical arguments and inexplicable be-
havior. In order to protect their own interests, and portray
themselves as being in the right, they pour forth Satanic type re-
sponses from the minute they open their mouths.
Their efforts to defend and justify themselves are consumed
with a rage. And, by way of that sentiment, they are prone to all
kinds of despicable behavior, like lies and slander. They contrive re-
sponses completely removed from the truth of the situation.
The constriction of the conscience of those who knowingly for-
mulate false interpretations is easily discerned in their faces and the
words they utter. They attempt to show themselves as being in the
right by making use of unsound and ludicrous logic. Ultimately, no
part of their utterances are valid. And, by the will of Allah, these will
be identified by sincere believers for what they truly are.
The insincerity of the hypocrites is referred to in several verses

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