Satan’s Challenge To God

The Qur’an, the revealed book of Islam, tells us that when Satan refused to prostrate before Adam at God’s orders, God declared him outcast and expelled him from heaven. Satan then asked reprieve from God and challenged that he would beguile mankind from God’s right path. God accepted the challenge and gave him reprieve till the Day of Resurrection. From here starts the war between good and evil. God guides the mankind to right path and to Paradise through his Prophets; while Satan lures the mankind to evil path and Hell. Thus says the Qur’an.

1. “He said: Reprieve me till the day when they are raised (from the dead). He said: Lo! thou art of those reprieved. He said- Now, because Thou hast sent me astray, verity I shall lurk in ambush for them on Thy Right Path. Then I shall come upon them from before them and from behind them and from their right hand and from their left hand, and Thou wilt not find most of them beholden (unto Thee). He said: Go forth from hence, degraded, banished. As for such of them as follow thee, surely I will fill Hell with all of you.” [Surah Al-A'raf, 7: 14-18]

2. “He said: O Iblis! What aileth thee that thou art not among the prostrate? He said: Why should I prostrate myself unto a mortal whom Thou hast created out of potter's clay of black mud altered? He said: Then go thou forth from hence, for verily thou art outcast. And lo! the curse shall be upon thee till the Day of Judgment. He said: My Lord! Reprieve me till the day when they are raised. He said: Then lo! thou art of those reprieved. Till an appointed Time, He said; My Lord! Because Thou hast sent me astray, I verily shall adorn the path of error for them in the earth and shall mislead them every one; Save such of them as are Thy perfectly devoted slaves. He said: This is a right course incumbent upon Me: Lo! as for My slaves, thou hast no power over any of them save such of the froward as follow thee. And lo! for all such, Hell will be the promised place.” [Surah Al-Hijr, 15: 32-43]

3. “And when We said unto the angels: Fall down prostrate before Adam and they fell prostrate all save Iblis, he said: Shall I fall prostrate before that which Thou hast created of clay? He said: Seest Thou this (creature) whom Thou hast honoured above me, if Thou give me grace until the Day of Resurrection I verily will seize his seed, save but a few. He said: Go, and whosoever of them followeth thee - lo! Hell will be your payment, ample payment. And excite any, of them whom thou canst with thy voice, and urge thy horse and foot against them, and be a partner, in their wealth and children, and promise them. Satan promiseth them only to deceive. Lo! my (faithful) bondmen – over them thou hast no power, and thy Lord sufficeth as (their) guardian.”  [Surah Bani Isra'il, 17: 61-65]