Shaytan (Devil)

A checked version of this page, approved on 8 January 2021, was based on this revision.

A shaytan (شَيْطٰان; pl. shayatin), or devil/demon, is an evil being that incites human beings to do evil actions and think evil thoughts by means of "whispering" (doing waswas) into their victim's minds. The shayatin are frequently mentioned in the Qur'an, and are generally held to be corrupted individuals among the Jinn who have opted to follow the path of Iblis (Satan). Iblis himself is considered by many to himself be a Jinn. The Qur'an also alludes, however, to the "shayatin of humankind"; this is interpreted as a metaphorical usage of the word which describes human beings who behave like the shayatin.^[1]^[2]

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An illustration of a shaytan by Siyah Qalam made between the 14th and 15th centuries

Descriptions in scripture

In the Quran

Thus have We appointed unto every prophet an adversary - devils of humankind and jinn who inspire in one another plausible discourse through guile. If thy Lord willed, they would not do so; so leave them alone with their devising;

Quran 6:112

In the Hadith

References

↑ Quran 6:112
↑ C.E. Bosworth; E. van Donzel; W.P. Heinrichs et al., eds, (1997), "Shaytan", Encyclopaedia of Islam, 9 SAN-SZE (New Edition [2nd] ed.), Leiden: E.J. Brill, pp. 406-409, ISBN 90 04 10422 4, 1997

[1] Quran 6:112

[:0-2] C.E. Bosworth; E. van Donzel; W.P. Heinrichs et al., eds, (1997), "Shaytan", Encyclopaedia of Islam, 9 SAN-SZE (New Edition [2nd] ed.), Leiden: E.J. Brill, pp. 406-409, ISBN 90 04 10422 4, 1997

[1]

[2]