“During the campaign of Hunayn, the polytheists had a tree called Dhāt Anwāt, on which they hung their weapons, fastening them to it, and beneath which they took shade, seeking blessings. Some people said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, appoint for us a Dhāt Anwāt just as they have a Dhāt Anwāt.’ He replied, ‘Allah is Most Great! You have said just what the people of Moses said to Moses: “Make for us a god just as they have gods.” These are the same ways! You will surely follow the ways of those before you.’”

The Quran has made clear that evil deeds come from the soul, even though they occur by Allah’s decree. The greatest evil deeds are denying the Creator, associating partners with Him, and the soul’s desire to become His partner and equal, or to become a god besides Him. Both of these have occurred. Pharaoh sought to become a god worshipped instead of Allah Most High. He said:

“I know of no god for you other than myself.”

He also said:

“I am your lord most high.”

And he said to Moses:

“If you take a god other than me, I will surely have you imprisoned.”

“Thus he made fools of his people, and they obeyed him.”

Iblīs seeks to be worshipped and obeyed instead of Allah. He wants himself to be worshipped and obeyed, and Allah neither to be worshipped nor obeyed. What is found in Pharaoh and Iblīs is the utmost injustice and ignorance. Within the souls of all other humans and jinn there is a share of both. Unless help is given