Monday 23 June 2008

THE SATAN AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH MAN

Coming to the real issue of our relationship as human beings with the Devil or Satan. i will put it in a story form but it is how the scholars of Islam explained it.Long before man was created, a being was among the angels. Angels don't disobey the commands of God. They are created that way. The duties assigned to is done to perfection and they engage in the glorification of God all their lives. Among the Angels was the Devil or Satan or Jinn. He was created from Fire. He served among the Angels ,at one point rose to be among the leadership. What causes a high ranking being among the Angels to be banished to oblivion? God in his infinite plans, started creating our ancestor Adam. As Muslims we believe that God created Adam with his own hands. when Adam was laying in a form of clay or mud. the Angels will be wondering what being God is creating. The Satan started to be jealous of Adam has he lay in a lifeless form. It is reported that, The Satan usually point its finger at Adam's Tummy saying " i don't know what is this but if any thing his tummy will be a big temptation for him". to this many scholars said, the Satan's words proof true against us as humans, our quest for livelihood make us do many horrendous things. all we pursue in life is related to our happiness and comfort. from thief's to murderer.When Adam was completed to the human form, God then created a soul. The soul is not from God. The soul is created. Then Adam's soul is breath into him. Then God authorised the Angels and Satan to prostrate to Adam. God created us with honour and respect. To this request the Angels fall down and prostrated. But the Satan refused.He disobeyed the command of God. This is a serious issue but the Satan was ready to face any consequences. He was asked, why did you refuse to obey the command of God? his answer, which is similar to what many human beings say to day is " i am better than him, you created me from fire and him from clay". God told the Satan ," i know things you don't know". but the Satan was adamant. It refuse to bodge. He sealed his faith. What is the difference between committing a sin and falling in a state of disbelief? to commit a sin one knowingly do an act that he is forbidden from doing. to commit disbelief or kuffur, one denies the the validity of there being anything wrong in his or her action. he/she don't belief the commands are reasonable and valid. this is disbelief.an example, God command Muslims not to commit fornication and adultery. we as humans have many temptations. one way or the other, you find yourself committing fornication. you accepts that it is wrong but you followed your desire and commit a major sin in Islam which has a stipulated punishment in here and the hereafter. but still you do it. That is a sin.but if you don't belief that fornication is a sin and that why should it be a sin? it is a relationship between two consenting adult, it is unreasonable for God to regard it a sin, then you have disbelief and disregard God's commandments and his validity and existence.What the devil did was the later. He told God, i am better than Adam ,meaning human. i am made of fire, still coming to the discrimination issue. the statement of the devil is thus, you God made a mistake. You were irrational and unjust to tell me to bow down to an inferior creation of yours. Whom he thought doesn’t deserve any honour from him.God then asked him the Satan, what do you want. i reward you now all the past deeds you have done or later? he opted for a condition that He the Satan live till dooms day. That wish of him was granted. Before parting he made a promise to God. That is “I will make all the offspring of Adam, the man who is responsible for my banishment to disobey you" .God replied ,you can only make those who listen to you disobey me.This is the condition we are in.
God never abandon us as humans. he throughout our existence have send men among us with his message, his guidance and word. What is important for us as people to realise is that, God has given us a brain. That set us apart from all other creatures. We can differentiate between good and bad, depending on our state of mind. We can take time to read the books containing the words of God; we can take time and asked those who spend their time learning about God and the way to him. This is all our choice. But let no one mistake the words of God's punishment for disobeying him. There is a hell fire and there is paradise. There is a day of judgement. Yes we may not be able to do acts that will guarantee us paradise but obeying God's commandment is an indication that we held him high and respect his words.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you Suntou for this educative article. As you said many knew the things you mentioned in the article. But be rest assured that the article did also clarify and cleared misunderstandings about the subject. Your commentaries with the story did the magic of relating the story to the life we live. May Allah, "subahahu watahla" bless and protect you. Please continue the good work.

Anonymous said...

thanks for that comment. May the Almighty bless you also and grant us all Jannah. please let me know whereever i may have make an error. suntou