Satan’s Monotheism
Satan’s Monotheism refers to a paradoxical concept in some mystical Islamic Sufi traditions, particularly championed by figures like Ahmad Ghazali, where Satan (Iblis) is depicted as a true monotheist who refuses to bow to Adam out of exclusive devotion to God. This interpretation frames Satan’s act of defiance not as pride, but as the ultimate expression of divine unity (tawhid), as he would only prostrate before the one true God, even in disobedience to a divine command.
Core Concept
- Devotion to Tawhid: The central idea is that Satan’s refusal to bow to Adam was an extreme form of tawhid, the belief in the absolute oneness and uniqueness of God.
- Exclusive Adoration: Prostrating before a being other than God was seen as compromising this pure adoration of God.
- A “Heretic” Monotheist: According to Ahmad Ghazali, those who didn’t learn their monotheism from Satan were considered “heretics” (zindiq) because they failed to grasp this radical, unwavering adherence to God’s oneness.
Ahmad Ghazali’s Contribution
- Ahmad Ghazali’s narrative, featuring a dialogue between Moses and Satan, illustrates this interpretation.
- In this dialogue, Satan argues that his refusal to bow to Adam was because he would only bow to the one God, viewing it as a higher form of monotheistic worship.
Sufi Mysticism
- This concept is found within some mystical Sufi branches, where the spiritual journey often involves questioning conventional interpretations of divine will and human morality.
- Some Sufis view Satan’s fall from grace as a tragedy of devotion rather than a simple act of arrogance, believing his refusal stemmed from pure, albeit misguided, love for God.
Contradiction and Paradox
- The concept is inherently paradoxical, as it elevates a figure traditionally condemned for disobedience and pride to the status of a true worshiper.
- It highlights a mystical understanding where the outward command may be defied to uphold a deeper, more profound, and singular devotion to the divine.
AI responses may include mistakes.
[3] https://thesufiway.medium.com/iblis-and-his-rebellion-579f0400c9c2
[4] https://scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0259-94222019000300056