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| Lucifer by Gustave Doré - Paradise Lost or James Donahue |
Lucifer
Lucifer is the name of the devil in Christian texts. When God created the Heavens, he created the angelic beings which inhabited the Heavens. Among these angels were the archangels Gabriel, Michael and a perfect, the most beautiful creation of God, Lucifer. Lucifer having that many qualities became proud and wanted to take over God's Throne. He placed himself above God. In his effort to become the Lord, he took on the heavenly beings to conquer Heaven. He was defeated by the strong force of Archangel Michael. Lucifer was expelled from heaven and he was transformed into Satan. But Lucifer did not stop there, in order to avenge himself, he attacked humans(the biggest creation of God) and convinced Eve to taste the forbidden fruit resulting in the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Christians believe that Lucifer tries to divert those who are on the right path to Paradise.
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| The fall of rebellious angels by Hieronymus Bosch or workshop |
Iblis
The view of Iblis is not of an angel but a Jinni(a creature made up of smokeless fire). Iblis was a very pious creature and submitted to God. When the angels defeated the rebellious Jinn, Iblis was among those Jinn but because of his piousness, he was allowed in Heaven and started to live among the angels. When Allah created Adam, He ordered all the angels to bow before Adam, everyone did so except Iblis. Iblis having free will refused to bow before Adam. Iblis felt he was superior to Adam as he was created from fire and Adam was created from clay. Iblis, because of his arrogance was expelled from Heaven. Iblis asked Allah for time till Judgement Day. Iblis, from the time of his expulsion from heaven till Judgement Day has only one mission that is to disturb humans from the right path of Allah.
Similarities
Iblis and Lucifer were regarded as very high beings before their expulsion from Heaven. Iblis and Lucifer were expelled from Heaven because of the same reason that is arrogance and pride. They both became Satan after being kicked out of Heaven. They both are against God. They both try to divert humans from the right path of God.
Conclusion
Along with the similarities, there are some differences between them as well. In Christianity, Lucifer is believed as a fallen angel but in Islamic concepts, Iblis is considered a Jinni(who has free will) but not an angel as angels do not have any free will. So, we can conclude that Lucifer and Iblis are the names of a single entity but because of the reason that many people over the ages have added stories in the Gospel and the Bible. The text of the previous heavenly books has been corrupted by humans. Thus, everything written in the Bible is not true. The only Word of God present today in its original form is the Holy Quran.