Shaitan (Iblis, the Devil in Islam)

demon · Saudi Arabia · Middle East and North Africa

Shaitan (Ash-Shaytan), also known as Iblis, is the leader of the devils (shayatin) in Islamic theology. Originally a devout jinn created from smokeless fire, Iblis was elevated to a high station among the angels due to his piety. When God commanded all beings to bow to Adam, Iblis refused out of pride, arguing that he was created from fire while Adam was from mere clay. For this defiance, he was cast out of heaven but granted respite until the Day of Judgment, during which he vowed to lead humanity astray. He whispers temptation (waswasa) into human hearts and commands legions of shayatin (evi

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