Iblis: The Outcast

As Iblis had fallen from his angelic rank, banished to an uncertain fate, and condemned to become a wandering ghost consumed by his insatiable obsession to scheme against humanity, the Perfect Supreme addressed Adam with a solemn and weighty warning.

'O Adam, verily, this is an enemy not only to you, but to all of your kind. Be vigilant and do not allow him to deceive you, for his malevolence could lead to your expulsion from the paradisiacal embrace of this sacred realm. Such an expulsion would bring misery and distress not only upon you, but upon your descendants for generations to come.'

In this divine warning, Adam was reminded of the deep-seated enmity that existed between humanity and Iblis, the eternal adversary. The Supreme One cautioned against the allure of Iblis's temptations and his cunning schemes, emphasizing the dire consequences of falling into his web of deception. To be expelled from Paradise would be a grievous loss, one that would cast humanity into the harsh realities of the earthly realm.

To console Adam and to instill unwavering trust in divine protection, the Supreme One continued, 'Verily, you have a promise from Us—an unbreakable covenant. In this Paradise, you shall never hunger, for the bounties are boundless. You shall never know want of clothing, for the garments of Paradise shall adorn you. Thirst shall not afflict you, for the rivers of Paradise flow with the purest waters. The scorching heat of the sun will not torment you, for the shade of Paradise shall shelter you.'

These words resonated deeply with Adam and his descendants. They were a testament to the boundless mercy and benevolence of the Supreme One. It was a promise that within the paradisiacal gardens, every need would be met, and they would dwell in eternal comfort and bliss, untouched by the trials and hardships of the earthly realm.

The Supreme and Most Knowledgeable One had not only granted Adam the wisdom to understand the names of all things but had also offered divine assurance of protection and care, reaffirming the sacred covenant between the Creator and the Khalifa of the earthly realm.

With this newfound wisdom bestowed upon him by the Supreme One, Adam's understanding expanded to encompass the names of all things in creation. The Supreme One, in a display of divine majesty, summoned the angels from their prostration and presented before them the wondrous manifestations of His creation.

Challenging the angels, saying, 'Tell Me the names of these creations if you are indeed truthful in your knowledge.'

In an act of humble submission and recognition of their inherent limitations, the angels responded with reverence, 'Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except that which You have graciously taught us. Verily, You are the All-Knower, the All-Wise.'

The angels acknowledged their profound dependence on the divine knowledge and wisdom of the Supreme One. They understood that their understanding was limited to that which had been revealed to them.

In response, the Supreme One turned to Adam, the Khalifa, and instructed him, 'O Adam! Inform them of the names.' Adam, now endowed with divine knowledge and understanding, proceeded to impart the names of all things to the angels, demonstrating his unique status as the recipient of this divine gift.

The words of the Supreme One resounded with authority, emphasizing His omniscience and mastery over all things as He continued, 'Did I not tell you that I know the unseen in the heavens and the earth? I am aware of all that you reveal and all that you have been concealing.'

In the exalted state of being the Khalifa and the recipient of divine knowledge, Adam found solace in the company of the angels. However, the passage of time in the celestial realm is not constrained by the limitations of mortal existence. It flowed differently, beyond the grasp of creatures from the lower realms. Yet, as Adam's wisdom and knowledge expanded, a profound sense of solitude began to envelop him at the zenith of creation.

The more Adam understood, the more he felt a growing chasm separating him from the masses. His yearning for companionship and connection intensified, like a deep hunger for something that could fill the void of his solitude.

In His infinite wisdom, the Supreme One decided to address Adam's profound loneliness. The divine plan unfolded as Adam was compelled into a deep slumber—a state of divine intervention. It was during this slumber that from his shortest left rib, the first woman was fashioned into existence.

Upon awakening from his slumber, Adam found himself gazing into the eyes of a creature, radiating with beauty and grace, who stood before him. He was taken aback by her presence and couldn't help but inquire why she had been created. Her response, filled with purpose and tranquility, affirmed her role—she had been brought into being to ease Adam's profound solitude and to bring serenity to his heart.

The celestial realm was astir with curiosity as the angels, guardians of the heavenly abode, had long observed the puzzling disappearance of Adam from their daily presence. His unexplained slumber had left them perplexed and intrigued, and they eagerly awaited his awakening.

As Adam had awoke to find himself not alone but in the presence of a lovely yet strangely familiar creature, newly created and bestowed with divine grace. The angels sensing Adam's awakening, swiftly gathered around him, their radiant forms aglow with celestial light. They harbored a burning curiosity, eager to question Adam about the latest developments that had unfolded in their midst.

The angels, while magnificent in their own right, recognized that Adam possessed knowledge and understanding far beyond their celestial comprehension. He had been endowed with divine wisdom and insight by the Supreme One, setting him apart as the Khalifa and custodian of the earthly realm. While a select few among the archangels enjoyed direct communication with the Supreme One, Adam's unique position granted him access to knowledge that transcended even the celestial hierarchy.

With a sense of wonder and reverence, the angels inquired, their voices resonating with celestial harmony, "Who is this being, Adam?" Their luminous eyes were fixed upon the newly created human standing beside Adam.

In response, Adam, filled with wisdom and grace, spoke, "This is Hawa (Eve)." His words carried a profound significance, marking the introduction of the first woman—a partner and companion to Adam in the grand canvas of creation.

Adam and Hawa continued to live in the pristine Paradise, their days filled with the wonders and delights that surrounded them. They reveled in the beauty of the gardens, the harmonious songs of the birds, and the tranquility that enveloped their existence. The heavenly realm seemed to hold no challenges or tribulations, and life flowed smoothly.

However, the celestial realm itself was not without its trials, and news of a unique challenge set by the Supreme One began to circulate among its inhabitants. Even the heavens, the earth, and the mountains, with all their grandeur and majesty, were wary of this challenge. It was a test of obedience and adherence to the divine obligations and limits established by the Supreme Benefactor.

In this celestial challenge, the heavens, the earth, and the mountains were given the opportunity to excel in their roles and fulfill their duties to the highest degree. If they succeeded, they would be rewarded, but the mere thought of facing punishment from the Supreme One filled them with dread. The consequences of failure were too great, and the burden of the challenge weighed heavily on their celestial shoulders.

News of this challenge eventually reached the ears of Adam and Hawa. To the celestial beings, it was a daunting trial, a test of their faith and obedience to the divine will. But to the human couple, the prospect of untold riches and rewards seemed irresistible. Their eyes gleamed with excitement as they contemplated the challenge, and the idea of a reward which even The Supreme Provider deemed as great, being within their grasp overwhelmed them with joy.

For humanity, always eager for shortcuts and quick rewards due to their hasty nature, the challenge held a unique allure. They saw it as an adventure, a thrilling opportunity to prove their unwavering belief in the Supreme One's existence and their commitment to His divine laws. In their minds, how could anyone possibly fail a test that simply required belief and obedience? It was akin to denying the existence of life-sustaining oxygen merely because it couldn't be seen. To them, it was an opportunity they couldn't pass up.

With the mindset of "what could possibly go wrong, and even if it did, it surely wouldn't happen to us," Adam and Hawa embraced the challenge, unaware of the profound consequences it would bring to their lives and the destiny of humanity itself.

The celestial realm, once serene and seemingly uneventful, was now stirred by the unexpected declaration of Adam and Hawa, the first of humanity. They had willingly accepted the divine challenge presented by the Supreme One, signifying their unwavering belief in His existence and their commitment to His divine laws.

In response to their resolute acceptance, the Supreme Fashioner enacted a momentous and symbolic act. Adam, the progenitor of humanity, began to spasm uncontrollably, and from his loins emerged all the descendants of Adam, spanning countless generations yet to come. The celestial realm bore witness to this extraordinary event, as the spiritual essences of humanity's future generations appeared before the Supreme One.

These descendants, though still in their spiritual essence, were filled with awe and wonder at the presence of their Creator. They were like devoted fans meeting their idol, crowding and conversing with one another. Some of them even indulged in trivial conversations, while others achieved enlightenment in their supplications. They pointed at Adam with reverence and whispered among themselves, discussing his significance in the grand scheme of creation.

The spiritual descendants of Adam, in their celestial essence, reacted to their unique gathering in diverse ways. Some were overwhelmed with awe and reverence, their hearts filled with a profound sense of purpose and connection to the Supreme One. They felt like fans meeting their ultimate idol, basking in the divine presence and marveling at the Creator's magnificence.

Conversations rippled through the gathering, as these souls exchanged thoughts and experiences. Some sought enlightenment and understanding, engaging in deep contemplation and supplication, while others found themselves caught in the trivialities of resentment and gossip, whispering about various matters, including their thoughts about Adam, the progenitor of their earthly existence.

This vibrant and varied atmosphere prevailed for a time, with souls engaging in a range of emotions and interactions. They marveled at the unique opportunity to bear witness to themselves, their purpose, and the divine covenant being established. They were like stars in the celestial expanse, each radiating its own brilliance and character.

In the midst of this intricate canvas of experiences and emotions, the pivotal moment had arrived. The Supreme One, in His infinite wisdom, posed a profound question—one that encapsulated all the requirements of the divine challenge presented to these spiritual beings. With profound gravity, the question echoed through the celestial realm: "Am I not your Lord?"

The response that followed was a collective affirmation, a chorus of unwavering faith and allegiance from the souls of humanity's future generations. Their voices resonated as one, transcending time and space: "Yes! We testify." It was a solemn pact, an unbreakable bond forged between the Creator and the progeny of Adam.

This sacred covenant bore witness to their awareness and acknowledgment of the Supreme One's sovereignty. It served as a reminder that they were bound by this oath, and on the Day of Resurrection, no soul could claim ignorance or innocence. The celestial realm bore witness to this profound moment, a testament to the enduring connection between humanity and their Lord.

This sacred covenant ensured that no soul among them or their descendants could claim ignorance or innocence on the Day of Resurrection. It was a divine act of justice and clarity, solidifying the eternal connection between humanity and their Creator, and serving as a guiding light on the path of truth.

This divine act served a crucial purpose. It prevented those who would stand before the Supreme One on the Day of Resurrection from offering excuses, saying, 'We were unaware of this covenant,' or 'We were but the descendants of those who strayed and committed polytheism, invoking deities other than You.'

The Supreme One, in His infinite wisdom and knowledge of all future events, had foreseen the need for this solemn covenant. By securing the testimony of each soul, He ensured that no one could evade responsibility for their beliefs and actions. This act served as a clear and detailed explanation of the divine rules, a testament to the Supreme One's justice, and a means by which humanity could always return to the path of truth.

Amidst the bustling chatter of this newly created assembly of souls, their heads seemingly in the clouds, it was a peculiar sight. To most, it might have appeared utterly perplexing that they would willingly enter into a pact with the most powerful being in existence, and yet, simultaneously, they seemed to believe they could walk away from this agreement unscathed.

From their limited perspective at that moment, perhaps they genuinely believed they had made the right decision. They saw this challenge as an opportunity for untold riches and a thrilling adventure, completely oblivious to the profound purpose behind it. Little did they know that the Creator Supreme never engaged in pointless endeavors.

In the divine wisdom of the Supreme Planner, this challenge had a purpose far beyond what met the eye. It was a means to refine and distinguish humanity, to separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. The Supreme One had created a new race, and this challenge, with its unique specifications, was designed to draw in those who possessed the qualities and attributes He sought in His chosen creation.

Only those who successfully met the challenge would be counted as the true human race that the Supreme Planner intended to bring forth. The rest, those who faltered or failed, would serve as the byproducts, for a different purpose—an eternal fuel for the fires of Jahannam.

It is essential to acknowledge that attempting to fathom the plans and wisdom of the Supreme One is a realm beyond mortal comprehension. We can only marvel at the intricate nature of existence and humbly submit to the divine will, for it is the Creator's wisdom that guides the course of all things.

In the midst of this assembly of descendants, Adam's gaze fell upon one soul who seemed to shine more brightly than the others. Intrigued by this radiant presence, he inquired about this soul and was informed of Daud (David), who was destined to live among the later generations, close to the end of times.

As Adam observed the luminosity that surrounded Daud, he was deeply moved and filled with a sense of admiration. However, he couldn't help but feel that Daud's life span, which had been predetermined at sixty years, would be all too brief for such a remarkable soul.

Driven by his generosity and a desire to extend the time for this special individual, Adam made a selfless and noble decision. He chose to donate forty years from his thousand years of life to Daud, effectively increasing his lifespan to one hundred years. It was a gesture of unparalleled kindness and love, a testament to the compassion that dwelled within the heart of the first human. This act of generosity not only extended Daud's life but also forged a bond between them that transcended generations.

The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and eagerness as Adam and his descendants contemplated the profound question posed by the Supreme One: 'Am I not your Lord?' The spiritual beings, born of Adam's loins, responded in unison, 'Yes! We testify.' It was a covenant, a pact that would shape the destiny of humanity for all time.

The knowledge of this covenant remained deeply buried within the souls and hearts of these celestial beings, veiled by the divine wisdom of the Supreme Planner. As they would descend into the earthly realm, they would be stripped of the conscious memory of their pledge in orthe to prove themselve worthy of the reward, but the essence of their covenant would remain etched within their very beings.

It is the fitrah—the natural inclination and sound human nature—that served as a guiding light, an inner compass directing them toward belief in a Supreme Power and the longing to know Him. This spiritual and rational urge was an unwavering force, stronger than any other impulses that might lead them astray or into doubt.

The fitrah, that inherent and profound connection to the belief in the Oneness of the Supreme Being, was indeed a merciful gift bestowed upon humanity. It acted as a constant reminder, a beacon of light in the depths of the human soul. Even when some individuals in the earthly realm chose to deny or ignore it, the fitrah remained steadfast, patiently awaiting its moment of awakening.

In the face of life's trials and tribulations, when the facade of disbelief crumbled under the weight of adversity, the fitrah would reveal itself. In those moments of vulnerability and desperation, individuals would find themselves drawn to the profound truth that lay hidden within their hearts.

The fitrah was like a cheatsheet, a divine roadmap embedded within every human soul. It provided guidance and direction, an innate understanding of the Supreme Being's existence and oneness. It was a source of solace and clarity, a reminder of the covenant made in the celestial realm.

Yet, humanity would often remain heedless of this precious gift. In their pursuit of worldly distractions and desires, they overlooked the profound wisdom encoded within their very nature. The fitrah was a silent companion, patiently waiting for the hearts of individuals to turn back to the truth and embrace the innate belief in the Oneness of the Supreme Being.

As the journey of humanity unfolded in the earthly realm, the fitrah would continue to serve as a divine compass, always ready to guide those who sought the path to the peak of creation.

The Supreme One had created all of humanity with the fitrah, an inherent predisposition toward monotheism. It was the first covenant taken from the sons of Adam, an unwritten pact sealed within their souls. Every child born into the world would carry this innate inclination, an invisible message embedded deep within their hearts.

Indeed, the message of the fitrah was both clear and mysterious, a paradox that spoke to the profound nature of human existence. It was clear in the sense that it existed within the core of every human soul, a silent and constant reminder of the divine truth. It was an intrinsic part of the human experience, an unwavering belief in the unseen that defied the limitations of the physical senses.

Yet, it was also mysterious in its essence, for it could not be witnessed or measured by the material world. The fitrah resided in the realm of the unseen, a deeply spiritual and intangible aspect of human consciousness. It was a testament to the profound nature of faith, an unwavering belief in the existence and Oneness of the Supreme Being that transcended the boundaries of the physical world.

The mystery of the fitrah was a topic worthy of contemplation and exploration, a reminder that the human experience encompassed both the tangible and the spiritual. It was a profound aspect of the human journey, one that would continue to be pondered and explored in the quest for deeper understanding and connection to the divine.

After the descendants of Adam were returned to their original state, having affirmed their covenant with the Supreme One, a profound moment marked the beginning of the challenge set by the Creator. The divine command from the Lord echoed through the lush gardens of Paradise, addressing Adam and Eve with solemnity, 'O Adam! Dwell in this Paradise, you and your wife, and both of you may freely enjoy its pleasures and delights, wherever you desire. But remember, there is one stipulation—you must not approach this particular tree, for to do so would render you both as wrongdoers (dhalimin).' This command served as a constant reminder of the covenant between humanity and their Lord—a covenant founded on obedience and trust.

In the heart of Paradise, Adam and Hawa, graced by divine favor, adhered to the divine command with joy and gratitude. They reveled in the boundless bounties of Paradise, living in perfect harmony with their celestial surroundings. The forbidden tree stood untouched, a symbol of their unwavering commitment to the divine decree.

However, their relentless adversary, Iblis, the eternal antagonist, had caught wind of the divine command bestowed upon these newly created humans who were still in the early days of their existence. In his twisted and malevolent mind, he saw an opportunity to vindicate himself, to demonstrate his ability to sway the hearts of humanity and lead them astray from the path of righteousness.

An eerie smile curled upon Iblis's countenance as he pondered his next move. He knew that his time had not yet come, for he possessed the sinister gift of eternal youth—a privilege earned through his rebellious pursuit. He was patient and cunning, biding his time until the opportune moment to enact his nefarious plan.

Acknowledging his own intellectual limitations compared to that of humanity, Iblis diligently harnessed his experience of temptation from the knowledge of old obtained from his days in the  realm of the jinn to craft the perfect strategy. His objective was clear—to not only lead Adam astray but also to ensnare his cherished companion, Hawa. It became increasingly evident that Iblis's enmity extended far beyond Adam, the self-proclaimed usurper of his chosen status, and encompassed Hawa, who brought joy and companionship to Adam's existence.

Iblis's malevolence was a bottomless abyss, and within it dwelled an insatiable hatred for anything remotely associated with Adam. To him, there was no greater pleasure than witnessing the downfall of Adam, reveling in his suffering, and savoring every moment of his disobedience. His heart was a cauldron of envy and resentment, and it drove him to concoct intricate plots against not only Adam and Hawa but anything connected to them.

As the sands of time drifted by in the pristine abode of Paradise, Iblis's fixation on Adam grew into a consuming inferno. It transcended mere ambition or a desire to regain his self-proclaimed status; it mutated into an unhealthy obsession, a pervasive envy that warped the very essence of his being.

Iblis became an unrelenting sentinel, his every thought and action fixated on a single, destructive purpose—finding a way to lead Adam astray and assert his own perceived superiority. He scrutinized Adam's every move, his thoughts poisoned by this relentless mission. He observed Adam's happiness with Hawa, their unwavering companionship and unity, and it grated on his very soul. Their contentment served as a perpetual reminder of what he believed had been unjustly taken from him, stoking the fires of his resentment.

Day and night, Iblis schemed and plotted, seeking any chink in the armor of Adam's steadfast obedience to the divine command. He knew that Adam's connection to the Supreme One was insurmountable, which only further fueled his obsession. Every moment spent devising his nefarious plans, every stolen glance at the couple basking in bliss, deepened his insatiable desire to witness their fall from grace.

The more Iblis watched, the more he loathed anything remotely related to Adam and Hawa. His obsession drove him to concoct a scheme that would challenge the very core of their obedience and faith. He was willing to traverse the darkest depths to see his malevolent desires fulfilled, for in his twisted heart, there was no greater triumph than to lead humanity astray from the path of righteousness.