Shaytan (Devil): Difference between revisions

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[[File:Shaytan.jpg|thumb|417x417px|An illustration of a shaytan by Siyah Qalam made between the 14th and 15th centuries]]
[[File:Shaytan.jpg|thumb|417x417px|An illustration of a shaytan by Siyah Qalam made between the 14th and 15th centuries]]
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|<u>''waswas''</u>]]) 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.<ref>{{Quran|6|112}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Citation|title=Encyclopaedia of Islam|publisher=E.J. Brill|volume=9 SAN-SZE|editor1=C.E. Bosworth|editor2=E. van Donzel|editor3=W.P. Heinrichs|editor4=G. Lecomte|edition=New Edition [2nd]|location=Leiden|chapter=Shaytan|pages=406-409|publication-date=1997|isbn=90 04 10422 4}}</ref>
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|<u>''waswas''</u>]]) 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.<ref>{{Quran|6|112}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Citation|title=Encyclopaedia of Islam|publisher=E.J. Brill|volume=9 SAN-SZE|editor1=C.E. Bosworth|editor2=E. van Donzel|editor3=W.P. Heinrichs|editor4=G. Lecomte|edition=New Edition [2nd]|location=Leiden|chapter=Shaytan|pages=406-409|publication-date=1997|isbn=90 04 10422 4}}</ref>


== Descriptions in scripture ==
==Descriptions in scripture==


=== In the Quran ===
===In the Quran===
{{Quote|{{quran|6|112}}|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''';}}
{{Quote|{{quran|6|112}}|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''';}}{{Quote|{{quran-range|37|62|68}}|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


=== In the Hadith ===
== Etymology ==


== References ==
==References==
<references />

Revision as of 00:10, 9 January 2021

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

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

  1. Quran 6:112
  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