Shaitan
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At its simplest, Shayṭān is the Arabic word for "Satan." In Islam, Shayṭān (Arabic: شيطان) is an entity analogous to Satan in Christianity. The Islamic view of the shayṭān has both commonalities and differences with Christian and Jewish views. The Islamic view has more in common with the Jewish view and differ significantly with the Christian view.
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[edit] Etymology
While the shayṭān (شيطان, from the root šṭn شطن) is a noun and an adjective as well. As a noun and as an adjective it means "the adversary" or "the enemy" or "the opponent" and just as an adjective it means "evil". This can be applied to both Human ("al-Ins", الإنس) and Jinn ("al-Jinn", الجن).
[edit] Shayṭān in Islamic theology
In Islam, Allah created everything in pairs. The pair for a human is a jinn, two beings of higher intelligence created with free will. In between the pair of jinn and human there could be lots of other creation with higher intelligence like jinn and human. Qu'ran tells that the jinn race was created long, long before the human race. And, for long time humans were nothing, not even mentioned.
- Has there not been over human a long period of time, when he was nothing - (not even) mentioned? (verse 1) chapter 76.
- Allah created al-Ins (human) from sounding clay like unto pottery (14), and Allah created al-Jinn (jinn) from fire free of smoke (15): Then which of the favors of Rabbkum (your Sustainer and Nurturer) will you deny? (verse 16) chapter 55.
Iblis was of jinn race and was supposedly a devoted servant of Allah. He attained a very high status and was brought close with the Angels. But Allah knew Iblis well and the intentions of Iblis and therefore the Shayṭān was named Iblis (meaning "desperate"). The angels do not have free will and do not sin, because they do not know how to sin. When Allah created human, Allah commanded all the angels to prostrate (sujood) to Adam and his people. All angels did so, except Iblis, who refused Allah's direct command.
Iblis was proud and considered himself superior to Adam, since Adam was made from clay and Iblis was created from smokeless fire. For this act of disobedience, Allah cursed the Shayṭān to the Lake of Fire for eternity, but gave the Shayṭān the respite till the Day of Judgment at his request. Iblis obtained permission from Allah and vowed that he would use this time to lead all men and women astray to be devoured in the Lake of Fire. Allah grants the request but warns the Shayṭān that it would have no authority over Allah's sincere abd, devoted servants.
How Shayṭān is described in Koran:
- It was We (Allah) Who created human, and We (Allah) know what dark suggestions the human psyche makes to him: for We (Allah) are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein (16) chapter 50, Qur'an.
- THE HUMANS
- Chapter 114, Verses 6
- With the name of Allah, the unconditional Mercy, the eternal Mercy!
- Say, “I seek refuge with the Rabb (Cherisher) of humans (1), the King of humans (2), the Elohim of humans (3); -
- “From the mischief of the whisperer (of evil), who withdraws (after its whisper) (4), - (The same) who whispers into the hearts of humans (5), among the jinns and among the humans” (6), Qur'an.
The concept in both Judaism (Yahudianism) and Islam of 'the satan' is same, basically this evil and/or adversary only has the "power of suggestion" and/or "power of whisper". One should not underestimate the so-called, “power of suggestion".
The shayṭān is the devil that is stoned by stoning the three pillars on the hajj. This takes place in Mina.
- THE DAYBREAK OR DAWN
- Chapter 113, Verses 5
- With the name of Allah, the unconditional Mercy, the eternal Mercy!
- Say, “I seek refuge with the Rabb (Master) of the dawn (1). From the mischief of created things (2); from the mischief of darkness as it overspreads (3); from the mischief of those who practice secret arts (conniving) (4); and from the mischief of the envious one as he practices envy” (5), Qur'an .
It is the evil within us, who is our adversary and with whom we are in constant struggle (jihad) to overcome. It is the jihad within our own selves to overcome our adversary and avoid evil. One can make a connection in Old Testament, to Israel (Jacob) who struggles (jihads) to please Elohim. Iblis is evil (the satan), who defied Allah's direct command.
After their creation, Adam and Eve (Arabic: Ħawwā', حواء,) were allowed to dwell freely in the Paradise of God meaning the Garden of Eden (al-jannah, الجنة), but Allah forbade them to go near a tree. Again, this was Allah's command to Adam and Eve; the tree may not have been the significant factor in Adam and Eve's punishment. According to the Qur'an, Iblis tricked Adam and Hawwa' into eating from the forbidden tree. Allah then expelled all of them (including the Shayṭān) from the Paradise of God and onto earth, with enmity between them, but promised His Guidance will come to all of them. And if they are righteous, then they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve. Adam sought repentance from Allah, and Allah gave Adam inspiration. Allah forgave Adam and Ħawwā' and told them "Get you down all from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from me, whosoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Qur'ān 2:38)"
[edit] Uses of the name Shayṭān in contemporary fiction
[edit] Kong: King of Skull Island
In Joe DeVito's Kong: King of Skull Island, the people of Kong's Island were said to have been controlled by an evil cult called the Shaitan until Kong killed its high priest.
[edit] Dune
In Frank Herbert's Dune universe, Shaitan is one of the many names by which the Fremen refer to the sandworms of Arrakis. The Fremen, whose culture and language display an Arabic influence, regard the sandworms collectively as a great and terrible supernatural force, with anthropomorphic overtones. This is the final incarnation chosen by the God Emperor in his Golden Path for the salvation of humankind.
[edit] Angels and Demons
In Dan Brown's first novel featuring Robert Langdon, this character explains the origin of the fictional Illuminati by mentioning it as the first satanic cult, called the "Shaitan" by the Catholic Church.
[edit] Necroscope
In Brian Lumley's Necroscope series "Shaitan The Unborn" is the first Wamphyri (Vampire) seeded by a spore from swamps on the Vampire home world. In these novels Wamphyri are created via a symbiotic relationship between a vampiric leech and host.
[edit] Satanic Verses
In Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses," the protagonist Gibreel Farishta is nicknamed "Shaitan" by his mother in a complex dream sequence. The mutated Saladin Chamcha is also, albeit more appropriately given his satyr-like appearance, called Shaitan in various encounters with people.
[edit] Shadow of the Giant
In Orson Scott Card's the Shadow of the Giant, Shaitan is invoked in proper context as the great tempter from the Good for Muslims. Virlomi, an incarnate goddess of Hinduism is speaking to the Caliph (both friends of Ender). "You did not conquer India. You will never conquer India... Any Muslim that we kill on Indian soil will go straight to hell, for he does not serve God, he serves Shaitan." Latter, Caliph Alai invokes the metaphor. "Here is the law of Islam, from the time of Muhammed and forever: God gives permission to go to war only when we are attacked by an enemy. As soon as a Muslim raises his hand against an enemy who has not attacked him, then he is not engaged in jihad, he has become shaitan himself."
[edit] Hannibal
In the novel Hannibal, Hannibal Lecter is spoken of by a Gypsy woman with "That is the Devil. Shaitan, Son of the Morning, I've seen him now."
[edit] Shaitan
In the Max Ehrlich novel entitled "Shaitan" a man eating leopard is given the name due to indigenous people's belief that it is a reincarnated evil spirit.
[edit] House of Hell
The Fighting Fantasy gamebook named House of Hell features a room called the "Shaitan Room."
[edit] Wheel of Time
In Robert Jordan's series, "The Wheel of Time", Shai'tan is the name of the more commonly known "Dark One", the antithesis of the Creator. This name is never used (other than by Ishamael), as it is said to bring the Dark One's eye upon the speaker.
[edit] Vampire: The Masquerade
In the White Wolf roleplaying game, Shaitan is a powerful vampire of the Baali bloodline, supposed to live in Mexico. It appears in the game supplement Chaos Factor.
[edit] Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
Dagoth Ur, the Dream God and final enemy of the Bethesda roleplaying game, is also known as both Sharmat and Shaitan.
