Do Muslims believe in the devil?
Yes. Muslims believe in the devil, called Iblis or Shaytan (Satan). He is a real but created being from the jinn, who refused God's command out of pride and now tries to mislead people. He has no power to force anyone, and God is always far greater than him.
Who Iblis is
When God created Adam, He commanded the angels to bow to him in respect. All of them did, except Iblis:
"They prostrated, except for Iblees. He was of the jinn and departed from [i.e., disobeyed] the command of his Lord" (Quran 18:50). When asked why, he answered: "I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay" (Quran 7:12).
So the devil's first sin was arrogance. Unlike some Christian traditions, Islam doesn't describe him as a fallen angel, since the Quran says he was one of the jinn. See Do Muslims believe in aliens? for how jinn and angels differ.
What the devil does
Iblis asked God for time until the Day of Judgment and promised to lead people astray. The Quran is clear about how to treat him:
His main tool is whispering (waswasa): making bad things look attractive, feeding doubts and despair, and stirring up anger. The Prophet ﷺ said every person has a companion from the jinn, and that God helped him against his own so it "does not command me but for good" (Sahih Muslim 2814).
Is he God's equal rival?
No. Islam has no cosmic battle between two equal powers. The devil is a creature, and he can't do anything without God's permission. On the Day of Judgment, the Quran says he will even admit he had no real authority over people and only invited them (Quran 14:22).
This means you can't blame the devil for everything. He whispers, but you still choose.
How Muslims protect themselves
- Saying a'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim ("I seek refuge in God from the accursed devil").
- Reciting the last two chapters of the Quran, which ask for refuge from "the retreating whisperer" (Quran 114:4).
- Keeping up prayer, remembering God and staying in good company.
Fear isn't the goal. Many new Muslims worry about evil forces, but daily remembrance is enough protection. See Can jinn possess me after I become Muslim?
If unsettling thoughts about faith pop up, that's common too. See What if I have doubts about Islam after becoming Muslim?
- Muslims believe in Iblis (Satan), a real being from the jinn.
- He refused to bow to Adam out of pride.
- He whispers and tempts but cannot force anyone.
- Seeking refuge in God is the main protection.
People also ask
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