himself by leading the children of Adam astray, making sinful pleasures alluring to them. They enjoy pleasures that he himself does not enjoy; then they may repent and be forgiven, while he has lost and perished without gaining anything. Yet there is no comparison in honor and elevation between his following these people in their base desires and his obeying his Lord in what He required of him—prostrating before Adam. Thus, in the hadith narrated by al-Tirmidhī, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Satan said, ‘By Your might, I will surely lead the children of Adam astray as long as their souls remain in their bodies.’ He replied, ‘By My might, My majesty, and My exalted station, I will surely forgive them as long as they ask My forgiveness.’”

Likewise, Pharaoh was too arrogant to worship the Lord of the heavens and the earth, fearing the loss of his leadership, yet he was content to worship gods he himself had made. Such, too, are all those who espouse false doctrines and perform corrupt deeds. Iblīs is the leader of them all, for he followed his false analogy