Overview (Verses 32 - 38)

“God said: ‘Iblīs! What is your reason for not being among those who have prostrated themselves?’ [Iblīs] replied: I am not one to prostrate myself to a human being whom You have created out of sounding clay, out of mud moulded into shape.’“ (Verses 32-33) Thus the nature of this creature, who was created out of the fire of scorching winds, has surfaced. We see that arrogance, conceit and disobedience are part of his nature. Iblīs mentions the clay and mud, but does not mention the sublime spirit that mixes irrevocably with that mud. In his insolence he declares that a great creature like him could not prostrate himself to a human being whom God has created out of mud moulded into shape.

Such an attitude leads to its natural consequence: “God said: ‘Then get out of here, for you are accursed, and the curse shall be on you till the Day of judgement.’“ (Verses 34-35) This is a just reward for disobedience and rebellion.

At this point, his evil characteristics come out in full force. We see how he nurses his grudges and how he plans to spread evil: “He said: My Lord, grant me a respite till the Day when all shall be resurrected.’ [God] said: ‘You are among those who are granted respite till the Day of the appointed time.’“ (Verses 36-38) He requests respite to the Day of Judgement, but not to have the opportunity to repent of his sin which he has committed in the presence of God Almighty. It is not to atone for his sin that he wants to be spared death until the Day of Judgement, but rather to exact revenge on Adam and his offspring. He is avenging himself against mankind for his expulsion and the curse that he has incurred. He thus blames Adam for his expulsion, instead of acknowledging that it was the result of his own sinful insolence.