Surah Al-Hijr; Creation of Man and Beginning of Satan’s Enmity
Al-Hijr is the 15th chapter of the Quran, It has 99 verses and is in the 14th Juz of the Holy Book. Being a Makki Surah, it is the 54th chapter revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
The name Hijr comes from the story of the people of Prophet Saleh (AS) mentioned in verses 80 to 84. They were known as the people of Hijr as they lived in a land named Hijr. Saleh was an Israelite prophet and a descendant of Prophet Nuh (AS). His name has been mentioned 9 times in the Quran.
Surah Al-Hijr, among other topics, is about the start of creation of the universe, signs of Resurrection, faith in God, importance and greatness of the Quran, and punishment for wrongdoers. It also refers to the story of creation of Hazrat Adam (AS), the angels’ prostration before him and Iblis’s refusal to do so, angels’ good news for Prophet Ibrahim (AS), punishment for the people of Lut and the story of the people of Thamud.
Among the important issues mentioned in this chapter are the verses about creation. In verses 26 to 43 the story of creation of men and Jins is narrated. It is also pointed out that the angels obeys God and prostrated before Adam (AS) while Iblis refused to do so and, therefore, was expelled from paradise.
The story of creation of Adam (AS) and the disobedience of Iblis and his fate is a warning to all human beings because Iblis was expelled from God’s presence for refusing to prostrate before man but prior to his expulsion, he asked God to allow him to lead human beings astray. This was granted and Iblis vowed to lead astray all people, except the noble servants of God.
This does not mean that man has to be deceived by Satan (Iblis). In Surah Al-Hijr, God portrays two paths for man to choose one based on his free will. Some choose the right path and refuse to allow Satan to deceive them. They are the ones about whom we read in verses 45 and 46 of the Surah: “The pious will live in gardens with streams. And they will be told to enter there in peace and safety.”
Some others, on the other hand, follow Satan. In that case, “Hell is the promised place for them all.” (Surah Al-Hijr, verse 43)
