Satan In Christianity versus Islam: What You Need To Know

Satan In Christianity And Islam

As Christians, countless spiritual topics impact our worldview, but they don’t determine our salvation. Things like angels, dreams, or visions, and similar topics are often interesting, but what we believe about them isn’t a deciding factor in our relationship with God. Still, we always strive to have the most biblically-based beliefs.

As Christ-followers, we know we are safe from spiritual enemies like Satan or demons. However, for Muslims, some of these topics concern them in their everyday lives. They are afraid of the torture that awaits them in their grave from angels, and they constantly desire to have a dream from Allah. Moreover, Muslims are not promised that they will be protected from dark spiritual forces, so they are often worried about Jinn and Satan.

It is helpful for Christians to know what Muslims believe about Satan, because we then understand the fear they live in and the forces of darkness that impact their lives and worldview. 

What does the Quran teach about Satan?

Satan, also called Shaytan, Iblis, or Iblees in Arabic, is known as a dark spiritual being that tries to lead Muslims away from Allah.

In Islam, Satan is not an angel; instead, he is one of the jinn. This is important in Islam because of one main thing: jinn have free will in Islam, and angels do not. Some jinn follow Allah, and others do not. (Surah 18:50)

Similar to how the Bible teaches that Satan tries to keep people enslaved to sin (2 Cor. 4:4), Islam teaches that Satan often whispers to humans to mislead them, even sending them dreams to make them doubt Allah and Islam (al-Bukhari, no. 3277, Sahih Muslim 2263a)

According to the Quran, Satan’s punishment is Hell, to be sent there after the Day of the Resurrection – until then, he is trying to mislead humans who will join him there. (Surah 15:34-43)

So far, not many of these beliefs seem too different from what the Bible teaches about Satan, but one important detail lies in how Satan leads humans away from Allah.

Islam teaches that all people are born pure Muslims, followers of Allah. But the day they are born, Satan touches them and leads them away from Allah. According to Islam, only a few people were never touched by Satan and stayed sinless and pure, including the Prophet Isa (Jesus) and His mother Maryam. 

What does the Hadith teach about Satan?

The Hadith is a detailed collection of Muhammad’s teachings, while the Quran is supposedly Allah’s revelations to Muhammad. Most Muslims use the Hadith as their guide to live a life as similar to Muhammad as possible.

The Hadith and its teachings are different from the Quran, and often have more details because it is written from accounts from many generations of Muslims after Muhammad’s death.

There are very specific teachings about Satan in the Hadith, which impact how Muslims live, like yawning, praying, standing up, and more.

• Yawning is from Satan, so Muslims should avoid it at all costs. Volume 8, Book 73, Number 242: Narrated Abu Huraira

• Donkeys bray if they see Satan, and cocks crow if they see an angel, so Muslims should pray if they hear a donkey. (Volume 4, Book 54, Number 522: Narrated Abu Huraira)

• Babies cry at birth because of Satan (Volume 4, Book 55, Number 641:Narrated Said bin Al-Musaiyab)

• Satan cannot open closed doors while he is roaming at night (Volume 7, Book 69, Number 527)

• If a person is standing while praying, Satan will come and put doubts in their mind (Volume 2, Book 22, Number 324)

• Satan runs and passes wind to avoid hearing the Adhan, the Muslims’ call to prayer (Volume 2, Book 22, Number 313) 

The fear of Satan’s impact controls the Muslims’ lives, from the moment they wake up to the moment they fall asleep. Even in their sleep, they often cannot rest because they are afraid of dreams that Satan infiltrates their mind.

What does the Bible teach about Satan? 

According to the Bible, Satan was an angel of the Lord, who had free will, and who grew arrogant and tried to usurp God and take His place.

“I will make myself like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:14)

He is also called the “accuser,” who lists our sins to our Heavenly Father (Revelation 12:3, 10). Satan spends his time ruling a network of dark spiritual powers (Ephesians 6:12) to lead God’s creation astray and keep humans from answering God’s call to be reconciled to Him (2 Corinthians 4:4). 

Satan’s current dominion is the earth, but His final destination is Hell, not as his kingdom to rule, but rather as a punishment for him and his followers (Matthew 25:41). Revelation 12 describes Satan as a red dragon. 

Christian and Muslim beliefs about Satan are generally similar, but it is important to recognize the biggest difference. The Bible teaches that humans are inherently sinful because of the original sin of Adam and Eve that was passed down (Romans 5:12). Muslims believe that humans begin as Muslims, are corrupted by Satan, and then must pay for their sins by doing more good deeds.

While Muslims stand weak in front of the power of Satan, and many suffer from evil spirits controlling their bodies, minds, and souls, true Christ followers resist the devil and He flees in Jesus’ name. Satan can never dwell in the children of God who are born again from the Spirit and washed with the blood of Jesus. 

Jesus promised in Luke 10:19, "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you."

How to talk to your Muslim friend about Satan

Since having the most accurate beliefs about Satan doesn’t save us or impact our relationship with God, you might think you’ll never need to talk about it with your Muslim friend. But your Muslim friend might be curious about how your beliefs differ.

And because Muslims believe Satan is the reason they are sinful, there needs to be clarification for Muslims to understand their wretched sinfulness as humans. This way, they can understand their need for someone else to save them from their sins – Jesus!

Here are some questions you can use:

• Is it true you believe humans are touched by Satan when they are born, and that is why they are sinful? How does that make you feel?

• Have you heard what the Bible says about why humans are sinful?

• Did you know the Quran says that Jesus was never touched by Satan? Why do you think that is?  

• Would you like to know what the Bible says about Jesus and his power?

Prayers for Muslims to know Jesus

Dear Lord, thank you for loving me even when I was a sinner. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to save me from my sins. Please open my Muslim friend’s heart to see the truth and accept your gift of salvation and be set free from Satan’s influence. Amen.