Shaytan (Devil)
A shaytan (شَيْطٰان; pl. shayatin), or devil/demon, is an evil spirit 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]
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;
Is this better as a welcome, or the tree of Zaqqum? Lo! We have appointed it a torment for wrong-doers. Lo! it is a tree that springeth in the heart of hell. Its crop is as it were the heads of devils And lo! they verily must eat thereof, and fill (their) bellies therewith. And afterward, lo! thereupon they have a drink of boiling water And afterward, lo! their return is surely unto hell.
In the Hadith
Etymology
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