قَالَ أَنَا۠ خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ ۖ خَلَقْتَنِى مِن نَّارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُۥ مِن طِينٍ 76
Translations
He said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay."
Transliteration
Qāla anā khayrun minhu khalaqtanī min nārin wa khalaqtahu min ṭīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah records Iblis's arrogant declaration of superiority over Adam, claiming that his creation from fire makes him better than Adam who was created from clay. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this statement represents the essence of Iblis's sin: pride (kibr) and rejection of Allah's command, as he refused to prostrate to Adam despite Allah's explicit order. This comparison between fire and clay illustrates how Iblis twisted creation itself into a justification for disobedience, failing to recognize that obedience to Allah transcends the material composition of creation.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Iblis's refusal to prostrate to Adam in Surah Sad, which contextualizes the broader Quranic account of humanity's vicegerency on earth and the hierarchical obedience required in Allah's creation. The surah establishes why Iblis was expelled from Allah's mercy despite his previous standing among the angels—his arrogance and disobedience became his downfall.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Pride is to reject the truth and to belittle people.' Additionally, in Sunan Ibn Majah, there is a hadith where the Prophet warned against pride, as it was the sin that led to Iblis's expulsion from mercy. These hadiths directly relate to Iblis's prideful statement in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that superior creation or intellect does not justify disobedience to Allah's commands; rather, obedience and humility before the Divine are the true measures of virtue. It serves as a timeless warning against allowing pride in one's abilities or status to lead to the rejection of Allah's will, the very trap that caused Iblis's eternal damnation.