Was Iblis (L.A.) bound to bow down before Adam (A.S) ?

Query : Holy Qur'an states in many places that when Allah asked angels to prostrate they did so, but Iblis (L.A.) refused. If Allah's command was to the angels whether Iblis (L.A) was bound to bow before Adam (A.S) ?

Reply : When we arrive at a conclusion on any subject in the light of Qur'an we must first understand the method of Qur'an in describing a subject. We shall also analyse the context under which Qur'an is revealed. It should not contravene any other verse of Qur'an itself.

On a perusal of Qur'an we can find that there are atleast Ten Number of verses dealing with the above issue. I shall now quote below the said verses one by one

2:34

And (remember) when We said to the angels: "Prostrate yourselves before Adam.". And they prostrated except Iblîs (Satan), he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers (disobedient to Allâh).

7:11,12

And surely, We created you (your father Adam) and then gave you shape (the noble shape of a human being), then We told the angels, "Prostrate to Adam", and they prostrated, except Iblîs (Satan), he refused to be of those who prostrate.

(Allâh) said: "What prevented you (O Iblîs) that you did not prostrate, when I commanded you?" Iblîs said: "I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay."

15:31,32

Except Iblîs (Satan), - he refused to be among the prostrators.

(Allâh) said: "O Iblîs (Satan)! What is your reason for not being among the prostrators?"

17:61

And (remember) when We said to the angels: "Prostrate unto Adam." They prostrated except Iblîs (Satan). He said: "Shall I prostrate to one whom You created from clay?"

18:50

And (remember) when We said to the angels;"Prostrate to Adam." So they prostrated except Iblîs (Satan). He was one of the jinns; he disobeyed the Command of his Lord. Will you then take him (Iblîs) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than Me while they are enemies to you? What an evil is the exchange for the Zâlimûn (polytheists, and wrong-doers, etc).

20:116

And (remember) when We said to the angels: "Prostrate yourselves to Adam." They prostrated (all) except Iblîs (Satan), who refused.

38:73,74,75

So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them

Except Iblîs (Satan) he was proud^[] and was one of the disbelievers.

(Allâh) said: "O Iblîs (Satan)! What prevents you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with Both My Hands^[]. Are you too proud (to fall prostrate to Adam) or are you one of the high exalted?"

Out of the total number of ten verses atleast two very clearly state the fact that Allah's Command was directed to Iblis(L.A). It also appears that separate command was given to Iblis(L.A) to prostrate. This means that in addition to the command to angels an individual command was given to Iblis(L.A) The words "Idh amarthuka" in 7:11, 12 means "when I commanded you" reveals justification to this finding. It is crystal clear that Allah has commanded Iblis(L.A) separately to prostrate. The general command to the angels need not include Iblis(L.A) when he was asked by Allah about the direct command given to him as per verses 7:11,12.

Again, in 18:50 it is stated that "Fa fasaqa an amri rabbihi". This means his disobedience against the command of his Lord. This again makes it clear that command was gone to Iblis(L.A).

So, Iblis(L.A) was bound to bow before Adam(A.S) as per verses 7:11,12 and 18:50. The query reply over.

Now, let us think why the command to Iblis(L.A) was not mentioned in other verses. It is just because the subject matter sorrounding those verses were not the command to Iblis(L.A) to prostrate.

For example, in 2:34 the subject was appointment of man in the earth as Kalifa, man's high status, knowledge, etc., over and above angels. It is the arrogance, jealousy, enimity, etc of Iblis(L.A) to mankind is the key matter affecting the mankind, Allah gives stress on theses aspects. The command to Iblis(L.A) is only secondary here. But the occasion when Iblis(L.A) refused to bow down was at the time when angels prostrated. Thus his refusal was also mentioned side by side. The command is implicit when Qur'an talks about the refusal. The question of refusal does not arise in case there is no command.

Similarly, the querist may find out the exact subjects sorrounding other verses where the command was not mentioned separately.

Rasheed Usman