- Iblis: (Arabic إِبْلِيسْ, Romanized Iblīs) [1], also known as Shaitan, is the leader of the devils (shayāṭīn) in Islam. According to the Quran (Koran), Iblis was thrown out of heaven after refusing to prostrate before Adam (human). In Sufi cosmology, Iblis embodies the cosmic veil supposedly separating the immanent aspect of God's love from the transcendent aspect of God's wrath. He is often compared to the Christian concept of Satan, both cast out of heaven.
Islamic mysticism: Sufism
For this reason, Sufi masters regard Satan and Muhammad as the two most perfect monotheists [215].
Sufis reject the concept of dualism [215, 216] and instead believe in the unity of all existence [216].
In the same way that Muhammad was the instrument of God's mercy [215], Sufis regard Satan as the instrument of God's wrath [215].
For the Muslim Sufi scholar Ahmad Ghazali, Iblis was the paragon of lovers in self-sacrifice for refusing to bow down to Adam out of pure devotion to God [217].
Ahmad Ghazali's student Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir was among the Sunni Muslim mystics who defended Iblis and asserted that evil was also God's creation.
Sheikh Adi argued that if evil existed without the will of God, then God would be powerless and powerlessness can't be attributed to God [218].
Some Sufis assert that since Iblis was destined by God to become a devil, God will also restore him to his former angelic nature.
Attar compares Iblis's damnation to the biblical Benjamin: both were accused unjustly, but their punishment had a greater meaning. In the end, Iblis will be released from hell [219].
However, not all Muslim Sufi mystics are in agreement with a positive depiction of Iblis.
Rumi's viewpoint on Iblis is much more in tune with Islamic orthodoxy. Rumi views Iblis as the manifestation of the great sins of haughtiness and envy. He states: "[Cunning] intelligence is from Iblis, and love from Adam" [220]. More
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