By: Muhammad Haris
“And [do not forget] the tribes of Aad and Thamud. Their fate is quite visible from their ruins and deserted dwellings. Satan had made their foul deeds seem attractive to them, and turned them away from the right path; although they were endowed with the ability of perceiving the truth.” (Al Quran 29:38)
“[Remember also] Korah [Qaroon], Pharoah [Firaun] and Thamud, to whom Moses came with clear signs, but they behaved very arrogantly in the land; and they could not obviously escape Us.” (Al Quran 29:39)
“Thus, each one of them We penalized for his sin. On some We sent down a violent tornado; others We seized by a mighty blast; and some We caused to be swallowed up by the earth; and yet others We caused to be drowned. It was not Allah Who wronged them. It was they themselves, who wronged [their own souls].” (29:40)
The Quran implies that it is man’s ability to perceive the truth (Istibsar) or the gist of intelligence and skill that makes him morally responsible for his doings, and hence for his failure to resist his own evil impulses which is evidently the meaning of Satan (devil) in this context. Other gifts are capacity to grow and develop; and primarily the independent will – the freedom to choose.
