Mohsin Aziz

When Allah is His infinite wisdom decided to create Adam, angels were concerned. They argued with Allah that man would create chaos on earth. Allah told them that He knew what they did not know and created Adam out of mud and perfected him in proportions. Allah then assembled his creations, both Jinns and Angels, and  asked them to prostrate before Adam. All prostrated except Satan.

‘Surely We created you, then shaped you, then said to the angels, ‘Prostrate before Adam,’ so they all did – but not iblis, who refused to prostrate with others. Allah asked, ‘What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you? He replied, ‘I am better than he is: You created me from fire and him from clay.’ (Al Quran, Surah Al A’raf: 11-12)

This was the first manifest act of defiance against the command of Allah. The order from the Lord of the Worlds was defied. Everyone submitted except Iblis. This act of rebellion did not come from ignorance but rather from false pride and ego. His ego forced him to act against the command of God. Pride caused him eternal ruin.

Satan’s defience deprived him of his honour and high status. He was cast away from Divine presence and Mercy forever. This serves as a timeless warning that no sin is bigger than defying Allah’s command. In fact, every refusal to submit to Allah’s command and every preference for one’s own desire traces its roots to that moment of arrogance.