Muslim Australians - Religion Cultural Diversity Resource Manual

The Qur’an
teaches us
that life is a
test, that God
gives us all
a measure of
responsibility
and that on
the Day of
Judgment we
will be held
responsible for
our deeds.
The story of Iblis
When God created the human being Adam, He ordered the angels to bow
down before Adam. They all obeyed, but there was a jinn among them called
Iblis who rebelled against God. He did not wish to prostrate himself before
Adam and he argued with God saying: ‘I am better than he: you created me
from fire and him from clay’. Because Iblis was arrogant and rejected God he
was called ‘Satan’ and his pride in his own creation [or racism] became the
first sin.
Muslims believe that God allows Satan to test human beings, and that the first
example of this was when he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden. According
to the Qur’an, both Adam and his mate were tempted to eat the fruit of a
special tree which they had been forbidden to approach. Both Adam and Eve
gave into Satan’s temptation and ate the fruit. However, in Islam, there is no
concept of original sin, as both Adam and his mate asked for and received
forgiveness from God.
For Muslims, this story teaches that we should resist the temptations of Satan
to disobey God. It also teaches that God forgives us if we truly repent of our
sins and make a genuine effort to do His will.
Muslim Australians:THEIR BELIEFS, PRACTICES AND INSTITUTIONS 51