The Scholars' Disagreement Regarding Iblis
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Q3: Was Shaytan among the angels before Allah the Exalted commanded them to prostrate to Adam (peace be upon him)?
A3: The scholars differed regarding Iblis: whether he was among the angels or among the jinn. A group said: He is of a type of angels created from scorching fire, while other angels were created from light. They cited as evidence that if he had not been among the angels, he would not have been commanded to prostrate to Adam, nor would his refusal to prostrate to him have been rebuked. They also argued that the principle in exceptions is connection, meaning the exception should be of the same kind as the thing from which it is excepted. And Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Baqarah 2:34], so He excepted Iblis after the angels, which indicates that he was among them. Others said: He is not among the angels, but rather among the jinn; because of His saying
the Exalted:[Al-Kahf 18:50], and because he was created from scorching fire while the angels were created from light; and because he has offspring that reproduce, whereas the angels do not reproduce. Ibn Jarir al-Tabari chose the first opinion and responded to the evidence cited for the second opinion by stating that among the angels, some were created from light and some from scorching fire, and Iblis is of the type of angels created from scorching fire. He stated that there is no evidence that the type created from scorching fire does not reproduce. He also stated that Allah only said of him: [Al-Kahf 18:50], because he is from a tribe of angels called the jinn, or he was called "Jann" because of his concealment, just as other angels were called "Jinnah" in His saying the Exalted: [As-Saffat 37:158], because of their concealment. According to the opinion that he is among the jinn, his inclusion in Allah's command to His angels to prostrate to Adam is due to his being mixed among them. In any case, this is a matter that does not lead to any practical benefit, and there is no benefit in the dispute over it. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
A3: The scholars differed regarding Iblis: whether he was among the angels or among the jinn. A group said: He is of a type of angels created from scorching fire, while other angels were created from light. They cited as evidence that if he had not been among the angels, he would not have been commanded to prostrate to Adam, nor would his refusal to prostrate to him have been rebuked. They also argued that the principle in exceptions is connection, meaning the exception should be of the same kind as the thing from which it is excepted. And Allah the Exalted said:
And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate before Adam"; so they prostrated, except for Iblees
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلا إِبْلِيسَthe Exalted:
And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," and they prostrated, except for Iblees. He was of the jinn and departed from the command of his Lord
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلا إِبْلِيسَ كَانَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِexcept for Iblees. He was of the jinn
إِلا إِبْلِيسَ كَانَ مِنَ الْجِنِّAnd they have claimed between Him and the jinn a lineage
وَجَعَلُوا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْجِنَّةِ نَسَبًا
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.