Surah Al-Baqarah,verse 34 ”And [mention] when We said to the angels, “Prostrate before Adam”; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers”
This Ayah mentions the great honor that Allah granted Adam Alaihissalaam, and Allah reminded Adam Alaihissalaam’s offspring of this fact. Allah commanded the angels to prostrate before Adam Alaihissalaam, as this Ayah and many Hadiths testify.
There is a Hadith about the supplication of Musa Alaihissalaam , “O my Lord! Show me Adam who caused us and himself to be thrown out of Paradise.” When Musa Alaihissalaam met Adam Alaihissalaam, he said to him, “Are you Adam whom Allah created with His Own Hands, blew life into and commanded the angels to prostrate before”
Iblis was among Those ordered to prostrate before Adam Alaihissalaam, although he was not an Angel.
When Allah commanded the angels to prostrate before Adam Alaihissalaam, Iblis was included in this command. Although Iblis was not an angel, he was trying – and pretending – to imitate the angels’ behavior and deeds, and this is why he was also included in the command to the angels to prostrate before Adam Alaihissalaam. Satan was criticized for defying that command.
Ibn `Abbas said, “Before he undertook the path of sin, Iblis was with the angels and was called `Azazil.’ He was among the residents of the earth and was one of the most active worshippers and knowledgeable persons among the angels. This fact caused him to be arrogant. Iblis was from a genus called Jinn.”
The Prostration was before Adam Alaihissalaam but the Obedience was to Allah.
Qatadah commented on Allah’s statement,
(And (remember) when We said to the angels: “Prostrate yourselves before Adam.”)
“The obedience was for Allah and the prostration was before Adam Alaihissalaam . Allah honored Adam Alaihissalaam and commanded the angels to prostrate before him.” Some people said that this prostration was just a prostration of greeting, peace and honor
Ar-Razi agreed with this view. Also, Qatadah said about Allah’s statement,
(And they prostrated except Iblis (Shaytan), he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers (disobedient to Allah).)
“Iblis, the enemy of Allah, envied Adam because Allah honored Adam Alaihissalaam. He said, `I was created from fire, and he was created from clay.’ Therefore, the first error ever committed was arrogance, for the enemy of Allah was too arrogant to prostrate before Adam Alaihissalaam .” Ibn Kathir said the following is recorded in the Sahih,
(No person who has the weight of a mustard seed of arrogance in his heart shall enter Paradise.)
Iblis had disbelief, arrogance, and rebellion, all of which caused him to be expelled from the holy presence of Allah, and His mercy.
May Allah save us from ARROGANCE and the traps of Shaitan, ameen
Click here to learn a dua from the Holy Quran to seek protection from Satan and his helpers
