«Allah is characterized by ninety-nine names, among them “the Tyrant” and “the Wily One.” Certain qualities associated by Christianity with “evil” are thus divinized by the Koran as attributes of God's majestic or “terrible” aspect. In this context, Satan cannot aspire to a separate or substantial autonomy — his power cannot oppose Allah's but must instead derive from and complement it. Islam admits no “original sin,” only forgetfulness of the Real; likewise, cosmos/nature cannot be considered “evil” in itself, since it is a reflection or aspect of the Real. But precisely because cosmos/nature reflects the divine all-possibility, it must also include the “terrible” possibilities of negation and illusion, including the existence of Iblis.

In the Koran and accepted Traditions (ahadith), Satan is said to be made of fire like the djinn, not of light like the angels. Nevertheless, he is also the Angel Azazel, preacher to all the angels in preeternity, seated beneath the Throne in glory. When God creates the form of Adam and commands the angels to bow to him (because only the human is truly microcosmic), only Azazel refuses. He claims the proud superiority of fire (the psychic) over clay (the material). For this God curses him, Azazel becomes Iblis, and all proceeds more or less as in Genesis.»

Labels: [english[a], iblis, islamica, peter lamborn wilson, sufism, yezidi

posted by n.o.  # 16:53