If it is said:

“This states only that the Throne is borne [without qualification]; it does not say (1) that it has had bearers all along.”

The reply is:

Reports have indeed been transmitted indicating that it has had bearers all along, such as the hadith transmitted by ʿAbd Allāh ibn Sālih from Muʿāwiyah ibn Sālih (2): “When Allah Most High created the Throne, He commanded the angels to bear it. They said, ‘Our Lord, how can we bear Your Throne with Your greatness upon it?’ He said, ‘Say: There is no might or power except through Allah (3).’ They said it and were then able to bear it” (4).

It may also be said:

Fourth: Iblīs disbelieved, as Allah Most High states (5):

“Except Iblīs: he was arrogant and became one of the disbelievers”—Surah Sād.

Thus, even if it were assumed that he had performed any righteous deed, it was rendered void by his disbelief. The same applies to anyone else (6): if he disbelieves, his deeds are rendered void. What basis, then, is there for comparing believers to him?!

It may also be said:

Fifth: His statement, “Muʿāwiyah remained in polytheism until he embraced Islam,” itself reveals the difference between the two whom he sought to equate. Muʿāwiyah embraced Islam after having disbelieved, and Allah Most High says:

“Tell those who disbelieve that if they desist, what has already passed will be forgiven them”—Surah al-Anfāl.

He repented of his polytheism, established prayer, and gave zakat. Allah Most High says:

“But if they repent, establish prayer, and give zakat, then they are your brothers in faith”—Surah al-Tawbah.

Iblīs disbelieved after having faith, so his faith was rendered void by his disbelief, whereas the other’s disbelief was rendered void