Source: Fatāwā ‘Ilmiyyah (Tawḍīḥ al-Aḥkām), Vol. 2, p. 43
Qur’ānic Proof
Allāh says:
﴿وَإِذ قُلنا لِلمَلـٰئِكَةِ اسجُدوا لِـٔادَمَ فَسَجَدوا إِلّا إِبليسَ كانَ مِنَ الجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَن أَمرِ رَبِّهِ﴾
“…except for Iblīs – he was of the jinn, and he departed from the command of his Lord.” (Sūrah al-Kahf: 50)
This verse is an explicit declaration that Iblīs was a jinn, not an angel.
Ḥadīth Proof
Narrated from ‘Ā’ishah رضي الله عنها:
«خلقت الملائكة من نور، وخلق إبليس من نار السموم، وخلق آدم مما وصف لكم»
“The angels were created from light, Iblīs was created from a smokeless flame of fire, and Ādam was created from what has been described to you.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2996)
Statements of the Salaf
1. Ḥasan al-Baṣrī رحمه الله:
“Iblīs was never an angel, not even for the blink of an eye. Just as Ādam is the origin of mankind, Iblīs is the origin of the jinn.”
(Tafsīr al-Ṭabarī, 1/179; Ibn Kathīr graded its chain authentic)
2. ‘Abd Allāh ibn ‘Abbās رضي الله عنهما:
“Iblīs’ name was ‘Azāzīl; he was among the noblest angels with four wings, then became Iblīs.”
(Tafsīr Ibn Abī Ḥātim, 1/84 – authentic chain)
3. Qatādah رحمه الله:
“Iblīs was from the group of angels called ‘jinn’.”
(Tafsīr ‘Abd al-Razzāq, no. 1687 – authentic chain)
4. Ibn Mas‘ūd رضي الله عنه and others:
“Iblīs was appointed over the kingdom of the lowest heaven; he belonged to the group of angels called ‘jinn’ because they were keepers of Paradise.”
(Tafsīr al-Ṭabarī, 1/178 – ḥasan chain)
Why the Stronger Opinion Is That Iblīs Was a Jinn
- Explicit Qur’ānic statement: ﴿كانَ مِنَ الجِنِّ﴾ (al-Kahf: 50)
- Created from fire – angels are created from light (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2996).
- Has offspring – angels have no offspring (al-Kahf: 50).
- Committed disobedience – angels do not disobey Allāh (al-Taḥrīm: 6).
- Reports calling him an angel rely on Isrā’īliyyāt, not authentic Qur’ān/ḥadīth.
Addressing the “Contradiction” Claim
Some verses (al-Baqarah, al-A‘rāf, al-Ḥijr, Banī Isrā’īl, Ṭāhā, Ṣād) say “except Iblīs” in the context of angels being commanded to prostrate. This does not mean he was an angel:
- Rule of Arabic grammar (taghlīb): When addressing a majority (angels) along with a minority (jinn), the minority is included in the address.
- The Qur’ān never explicitly calls Iblīs an angel.
- Jinn have free will and can disobey; angels cannot.
Conclusion
Iblīs – who is Shayṭān – was not an angel but a jinn.
This is confirmed by the explicit Qur’ānic text, authentic ḥadīth, statements of the Salaf, and rational evidence.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
