Authored by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha (Hafizahullah)
Answer
Indeed, both Iblis and Adam disobeyed Allah ﷻ. Yet, the destiny of each turned out to be completely different—Adam was forgiven and granted Paradise, while Iblis was condemned to Hell. Why?
The answer lies in the following verse of the Qur'an:
❝Then Adam received some words from his Lord, so He accepted his repentance. Indeed, He is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.❞
[Surah Al-Baqarah: 37]
Adam (peace be upon him) repented and humbly said:
❝Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.❞
[Surah Al-A'raf: 23]
Allah accepted his repentance.
In contrast, Iblis arrogantly refused to repent and said:
❝I am better than him.❞
[Surah Al-A'raf: 12]
He did not seek forgiveness. Therefore, his destiny is Hell.
It is narrated that Iblis once came before Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) and said: “You are the one whom Allah has spoken to directly. Please intercede for me with your Lord.” When Musa (peace be upon him) conveyed this request, Allah ﷻ replied: “Tell him to go to the grave of Adam and prostrate there.” Upon hearing this, Iblis arrogantly retorted: “I did not prostrate to him while he was alive, should I now prostrate to him in death?” Thus, he chose humiliation and disbelief—and Hell became his eternal abode.
Conclusion
It was not the sin that determined their fate, but the attitude after sinning. Adam repented; Iblis rebelled. One was humble, the other was arrogant. That is why one is in Paradise and the other in Hell.
Answer
Indeed, both Iblis and Adam disobeyed Allah ﷻ. Yet, the destiny of each turned out to be completely different—Adam was forgiven and granted Paradise, while Iblis was condemned to Hell. Why?
The answer lies in the following verse of the Qur'an:
❝Then Adam received some words from his Lord, so He accepted his repentance. Indeed, He is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.❞
[Surah Al-Baqarah: 37]
Adam (peace be upon him) repented and humbly said:
❝Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.❞
[Surah Al-A'raf: 23]
Allah accepted his repentance.
In contrast, Iblis arrogantly refused to repent and said:
❝I am better than him.❞
[Surah Al-A'raf: 12]
He did not seek forgiveness. Therefore, his destiny is Hell.
It is narrated that Iblis once came before Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) and said: “You are the one whom Allah has spoken to directly. Please intercede for me with your Lord.” When Musa (peace be upon him) conveyed this request, Allah ﷻ replied: “Tell him to go to the grave of Adam and prostrate there.” Upon hearing this, Iblis arrogantly retorted: “I did not prostrate to him while he was alive, should I now prostrate to him in death?” Thus, he chose humiliation and disbelief—and Hell became his eternal abode.
Conclusion
It was not the sin that determined their fate, but the attitude after sinning. Adam repented; Iblis rebelled. One was humble, the other was arrogant. That is why one is in Paradise and the other in Hell.
