Islamic Terms Lucifer & Iblis
Question:
Peace be upon you.
My subject is whether or not the names 'Iblis' or 'Lucifer' mean the same devil, who was banished from heaven after refusing to submit to Adam. I've read a book entitled "A-Z guide to the Qur'an" by Mokhtar Stork. It states that the name 'Iblis' has a translation for it "Lucifer" - The Devil.
Can we use the name 'Lucifer' to describe Satan or just the normal 'Iblis'?
Thank you for your time.
Answer:
The Qur'an has not used the word "Iblis" merely as the name of Satan, but actually to personify him. The word has been used as an appellation for the particular jinn who refused to prostrate before Adam, as was directed by the Almighty. The word "Iblis" means 'one who refused', or 'one who despaired'.
On the other hand, "Lucifer" is a Latin word, which means 'Light bearing'. It is primarily in the Christian literature that "Lucifer" came to be regarded as the name of the Satan, before his fall, and was later used to refer to the Satan, by John Milton in his "Paradise Lost".
In view of the above explanation, I really don't think that "Lucifer" could be termed as a translation of "Iblis". The concept of "Lucifer", based on the Christian theology, is that of a fallen angel. The Qur'an does not support this view. The Qur'an, on the contrary, has introduced Satan as a jinn, who refused to submit to the directive of God, and, thus, became "Iblis" - 'the one who refused'.
Moiz Amjad
22nd May 2000
Taken with thanks from www.understanding-islam.org
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