Is That For Real?

OMG!!Was that for real? 3 ghosts at the same time. Maybe these people not realized that those ghosts were behind them. If only they knew, I think they wouldn't take picture. But we cannot judge by just looking at the picture, maybe it was just a reflection...

Shaitan in Modern Novels

The name Shai'tan was used in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series as a forbidden name for the Dark One (the primary source of evil in the series). Utterance of the name Shai'tan usually brought bad luck and tragedy to those around the speaker by "Drawing the Dark One's attention". An alternate name used for the Dark One in Jordan's books was Ba'alzamon, which was safe to speak aloud.

In Frank Herbert's Dune novels, which includes in their universe a religion descended in part from Islam, Shaitan is often used by the followers of that religion to refer to the sandworms of planet Arrakis.

In the novel The Satanic Verses, Shaitan (in multiple spellings) is a main character.

Shaytan in the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden

In the Qur'an's version of the story of Adam and Eve, Shaytan tempted them in the Garden of Eden, to eat of the forbidden tree - thereby exposing to them their nakedness and awakening man's modesty, shyness and sexuality. As they became suddenly aware of these things, they attempted to cover their modesty with leaves.

Adam and Eve, upon being questioned by God, apologized for falling for temptation, and were forgiven. After that GOD Almighty placed them on earth (in accordance with HIS plan, that HE communicated to the angels before creating Adam) to live out their lives and spawn the continuing family tree which eventually lead to the Human race as it is today. For Shaitan, this was a major victory. Now also living on earth, GOD Almighty granted him eternal life until day of judgment to continue to misguide man, as per Islamic theology, in an attempt to reduce man to filth and corruption.

And (unto man): O Adam! Dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden and eat from whence ye will, but come not nigh this tree lest ye become wrong-doers.

Then Satan (Shaytan) whispered to them that he might manifest unto them that which was hidden from them of their shame, and he said: "Your LORD Almighty forbade you from this tree only lest ye should become angels or become of the immortals".

And he swore unto them (saying): Lo! I am a sincere adviser unto you.

Thus did he lead them on with guile. And when they tasted of the tree their shame was manifest to them and they began to hide (by heaping) on themselves some of the leaves of the Garden. And their LORD Almighty called them, (saying): Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you: Lo! Satan is an open enemy to you?

They said: Our LORD ALmighty ! We have wronged ourselves. If thou forgive us not and have not mercy on us, surely we are of the lost!

Shaytan as a "Whisperer"

In Islamic theology, the Shaytan and his minions are "whisperers", who whisper into the hearts of men and women, urging them to commit sin. This is where the desire to sin comes from, according to Islam.

The Qur'an provides a supplication for mankind, aimed at fighting the tempting of ash-Shaytan and his minions:

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,

The King of mankind,

The God of mankind,

From the evil of the sneaking whisperer (Shaytan),

Who whispereth in the hearts of mankind,

Of the jinn and of mankind.

The Devil in Islamic theology

According to basic Islamic teachings, God created three intelligent races: Angels, jinns, and humans, of which the latter two have been granted free will to choose between good and evil.

Iblis was a jinn and a devoted servant of God. He attained a very high status and was brought close with the angels. God knew Iblis harboured ill intentions, however, and this was the reason for his name, Iblis "Desperate," or "despair."

The angels do not have free will and simply do not sin because they were not granted the freedom by God to disobey. When God created Adam, He commanded all the angels and jinn to prostrate to him as was termed "the Best of Creation". All the angels and jinn did so except Iblis, who refused to obey.

And We created you (humans), then fashioned you, then told the angels: Fall ye prostrate before Adam! And they fell prostrate, all save Iblis, who was not of those who made prostration.

He said: "What hindered thee that thou didst not fall prostrate when I bade thee?" (Iblis) said: "I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire while him Thou didst create of clay". [Qur'an 7:11]

Iblis was proud and arrogant and considered himself superior to Adam, since Adam was made from clay and Iblis was created from smokeless fire. For this act of disobedience, God cursed him to Hell for eternity, but gave him respite until the Day of Judgment, after Iblis requested it. Iblis obtained permission from God and vowed that he would use this time to lead all human men and women astray to Hell as a way of revenge against them. By refusing to obey God’s order he was thrown out of Paradise and thereafter he was called “Shaitan”.

He said: Then go down hence! It is not for thee to show pride here, so go forth! Lo! thou art of those degraded.

He said: Reprieve me till the Day (of Judgement) when they are raised (from the dead).

He said: Lo! thou art of those reprieved.

He said: Now, because Thou hast sent me astray, verily I shall lurk in ambush for them on Thy Right Path.

Then I shall come upon them from before them and from behind them and from their right hands and from their left hands, and Thou wilt not find most of them beholden (unto Thee).

He said: Go forth from hence, degraded, banished. As for such of them as follow thee, surely I will fill hell with all of you.[Qur'an 7:14]

Although God grants the request, He also warns the Shayṭān that he would have no authority over His sincere ‘ubūd "devoted servants".

Lo! My (faithful) bondmen - over them thou hast no power, and thy Lord sufficeth as (their) guardian

Namings and etymology

The word "Iblis" may be derived from the Arabic verbal root balasa بَلَسَ, meaning "he despaired"; therefore, the linguistic meaning of Iblis would be "he/it that causes despair".[1] However, some maintain an etymological derivation from the Greek "Diabolos".[2]

"Shayṭān" "Satan" is both a noun and an adjective. As a noun it means "adversary", "enemy", "opponent," or "rebel" and as an adjective it means "adversarial," "opposing," or "evil." In popular Islamic culture, Shaitan is often simply translated as "The Devil," but can refer to any of the beings who rebelled against Allah. Shaytan has a similar meaning and origin to the Christian word Satan.

Iblis

In Islam, the Devil is known as Iblis or Shayṭan. According to the Qur'an, God created Iblis out of "smokeless fire" (along with all of the other djinn) and created man out of clay. The primary characteristic of the Devil, besides hubris, is that he has no power other than the power to cast evil suggestions into the heart of men and women.

Tantallon Ghost

OMG!!That looks really creepy..was that a real ghost?

Ghost

Did you see the ghost?