This work will outline the most important steps in the creation of the images of a personified devil, starting with the Jewish religion and the earliest appearances of the term Satan. The author will then continue to compare the figures of Lucifer/Satan and Iblis in Islamic and Christian literature, based upon their development, mentioning and role.
Evil as a supernatural force is a topic that unites all Abrahamitic religions. Jewish sources about a personified supreme evil as imagined today are scarce, but the image of Satan as the divine adversary and subsequently the idea of Lucifer as a fallen angel in Christian religion is better documented. The Islam knows Iblis as a rebellious angel cast out of heaven by Allah. While all these personifications of evil show some similarities, their development shows some striking differences.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Devil of the Christians
- Jewish Origins
- The Term שָׂטָן
- Creating a Fallen Angel from Scraps
- Apocrypha and Their Role in the Devil's History
- The Book of Adam
- The Book Henoch
- The Devil in Islam
- Iblis in the Qur'an
- Of Djinn and Shaitani
- A Different Turn of Events
- Between Two Cultures
- The Role of the „First Creation“
- Rebels and the Sin of Pride
- The Role of the Devil
- Temptation
- Accusation
- Punishment
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to compare and contrast the figures of Iblis (in Islam) and Lucifer/Satan (in Christianity), tracing their development within their respective religious traditions. The analysis focuses on the origins and evolution of these figures, highlighting key differences and similarities in their portrayal and roles.
- The origins and development of the concept of a personified devil in Abrahamic religions.
- A comparative analysis of the figures of Iblis and Lucifer/Satan.
- The roles of temptation, accusation, and punishment attributed to these figures.
- The influence of apocryphal texts on the development of the devil's image.
- The similarities and differences in the narrative structure surrounding these figures.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for a comparative study of Iblis and Lucifer/Satan, highlighting the shared interest in personified evil across Abrahamic religions. It briefly introduces the Jewish concept of Satan, the Christian Lucifer, and the Islamic Iblis, emphasizing the similarities and differences that will be explored in greater detail in subsequent chapters. The chapter establishes the paper's objective to trace the development of these figures and analyze their roles within their respective religious contexts.
2. The Devil of the Christians: This chapter delves into the origins and development of the Christian devil, examining the evolution of the figures of Satan and Lucifer. It starts by tracing the term "Satan" back to its Hebrew roots, highlighting its varied usage in the Hebrew Bible, ranging from a legal adversary to a political opponent. The chapter then explores the development of the concept of Lucifer, explaining how a passage in Isaiah, originally referring to the Babylonian king, was later interpreted as a description of a fallen angel. Finally, the chapter discusses the integration of these concepts within Christian theology and the different roles the devil plays in Christian literature.
3. The Devil in Islam: This chapter focuses on the Islamic figure of Iblis, exploring his portrayal in the Quran and other Islamic texts. It examines Iblis's creation, his rebellion against God, and his role as a tempter of humanity. The chapter also addresses the connection between Iblis and jinn, and explores the nuances of his actions and motivations within the Islamic theological framework. The chapter emphasizes how Iblis's story differs from the Christian narrative of Lucifer, despite sharing thematic similarities of rebellion and temptation.
4. Between Two Cultures: This chapter directly compares and contrasts the figures of Iblis and Lucifer/Satan, focusing on their roles in their respective religious contexts. It highlights the similarities and differences in their origins, attributes, and functions. The chapter analyzes the common thread of rebellion and pride, exploring how each figure embodies these concepts within their unique narratives. Furthermore, it delves into the roles of temptation, accusation, and punishment, analyzing how these functions are depicted and understood in both traditions. The chapter also considers the theological implications of each figure's existence within the broader contexts of Christian and Islamic theology.
Keywords
Iblis, Lucifer, Satan, Devil, Abrahamic religions, comparative religion, Jewish origins, Christian theology, Islamic theology, rebellion, temptation, accusation, punishment, fallen angel, apocrypha, religious narrative, theological interpretation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Study of Iblis and Lucifer/Satan
What is the main topic of this text?
This text is a comparative study of the figures of Iblis (in Islam) and Lucifer/Satan (in Christianity). It traces their development within their respective religious traditions, highlighting key differences and similarities in their portrayal and roles. The analysis focuses on their origins, evolution, and the roles of temptation, accusation, and punishment attributed to them.
What are the key themes explored in this text?
Key themes include the origins and development of the concept of a personified devil in Abrahamic religions; a comparative analysis of Iblis and Lucifer/Satan; the roles of temptation, accusation, and punishment; the influence of apocryphal texts; and the similarities and differences in the narrative structure surrounding these figures.
What are the chapter summaries?
The text includes four chapters: An introduction setting the stage for the comparison; a chapter on the Christian devil, tracing the development of Satan and Lucifer from their Hebrew roots and exploring the role of apocryphal texts; a chapter on the Islamic figure of Iblis, his portrayal in the Quran, and his role as a tempter; and a final chapter directly comparing and contrasting Iblis and Lucifer/Satan, focusing on their roles, attributes, and functions within their respective theological frameworks.
What are the objectives of this paper?
The paper aims to compare and contrast Iblis and Lucifer/Satan, tracing their development within their respective religious traditions. It focuses on their origins and evolution, highlighting key differences and similarities in their portrayal and roles, including their roles in temptation, accusation, and punishment.
What are the sources used in this study?
While not explicitly listed, the text mentions the Hebrew Bible, the Quran, and apocryphal texts such as the Book of Adam and the Book of Enoch as key sources for understanding the development of these figures. The text also implicitly draws upon established scholarship in comparative religion and theology.
What is the significance of apocryphal texts?
The text highlights the significant role apocryphal texts, like the Book of Adam and the Book of Enoch, played in shaping the development and understanding of the devil figure in Christianity. These texts provided narratives and details that influenced the later theological interpretations and depictions of Satan and Lucifer.
What are the key differences between Iblis and Lucifer/Satan?
While both represent figures of rebellion and temptation, the text points to significant differences in their origins, narratives, and roles within their respective theological frameworks. The text promises to explore these differences in detail, comparing their creation stories, motivations, and the theological significance attributed to each figure.
What are the key similarities between Iblis and Lucifer/Satan?
Despite their differences, Iblis and Lucifer/Satan share similarities as figures of rebellion against God, embodying pride and leading humanity astray through temptation. The text will analyze these shared traits and explore how they manifest differently within the Christian and Islamic contexts.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
Keywords include: Iblis, Lucifer, Satan, Devil, Abrahamic religions, comparative religion, Jewish origins, Christian theology, Islamic theology, rebellion, temptation, accusation, punishment, fallen angel, apocrypha, religious narrative, and theological interpretation.
- Quote paper
- Simone Lohmeier (Author), 2017, Devil in the Detail. A Comparison Between Iblis and Lucifer, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/464277
