Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• aziz alizadeh salteh ¹
• parivash alizadeh ²

¹ Assistant Professor, Department of Theology and Islamic Studies, Khoy Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khoy – Iran

² PhD student in Nahjul-Balagha Sciences and Education, South Tehran Branch, Payam Noor University, 000Tehran-Iran

Abstract

In the Holy Quran, the subject of Satan and related issues, including how he was created, being expelled from the divine court, being given a respite until a certain time, trying to seduce humans, and the afterlife punishment of him and his followers, have been discussed in detail. The dominant view in the Quranic verses on this subject is realistic and descriptive, and most Islamic commentators and thinkers consider the language of the Quran in this regard to be conventional and true. However, some Sufis and other groups, by presenting different descriptions, consider the language of the Quran about Satan to be symbolic and allegorical, and consider him a symbol of the evil forces within man or the power of fear. This study analyzes these two perspectives using a descriptive-analytical method and citing rational and narrative evidence. The findings of the study show that considering the guiding aspect of the Quran and its truthfulness, God's words about Satan cannot be simply allegorical or symbolic. As a result, Iblis, as an independent being from the jinn and demons, has an external existence, and his means of misleading are mainly through temptation and invitation, which will only be effective in people who follow their desires.

Keywords

• : Satan
• Quran
• symbolic language
• Iblis
• temptation
• Sufism
• interpretation