Why the Devil is called Shaytan
In the Arabic language, Shaytan is derived from Shatana, which means the far
thing. Hence, the Shaytan has a different nature than mankind, and his sinful
ways are far away from every type of righteousness. It was also said that
Shaytan is derived from Shata, (literally `burned'), because it was created from
fire. Some scholars said that both meanings are correct, although they state
that the first meaning is more plausible. Further, Siybawayh (the renowned Arab
linguistic) said, "The Arabs say, `So-and-so has Tashaytan,' when he commits the
act of the devils. If Shaytan was derived from Shata, they would have said,
Tashayyata (rather than Tashaytan).'' Hence, Shaytan is derived from the word
that means, far away. This is why they call those who are rebellious (or
mischievous) from among the Jinns and mankind a `Shaytan'. Allah said,
[وَكَذَلِكَ
جَعَلْنَا لِكُلِّ نِبِىٍّ عَدُوّاً شَيَـطِينَ الإِنْسِ وَالْجِنِّ يُوحِى
بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَى بَعْضٍ زُخْرُفَ الْقَوْلِ غُرُوراً]
(And so We have appointed for every Prophet enemies ـ Shayatin (devils) among
mankind and Jinn, inspiring one another with adorned speech as a delusion (or by
way of deception)) (6:112).
In addition, the Musnad by Imam Ahmad records that Abu Dharr said that the
Messenger of Allah said,
«يَا أَبَا ذَرَ
تَعَوَّذْ بِاللهِ مِنْ شَيَاطِينِ الْإِنْسِ وَالْجِنِّ»
(O Abu Dharr! Seek refuge with Allah from the devils of mankind and the
Jinns.) Abu Dharr said, "I asked him , `Are there human devils' He said,
(Yes.)'' Furthermore, it is recorded in Sahih Muslim that Abu Dharr said that
the Messenger of Allah said,
«يَقْطَعُ الصَّلَاةَ
الْمَرْأَةُ وَالْحِمَارُ وَالْكَلْبُ الْأَسْوَدُ»
(The woman, the donkey and the black dog interrupt the prayer (if they pass
in front of those who do not pray behind a Sutrah, i.e. a barrier).) Abu Dharr
said, "I said, `What is the difference between the black dog and the red or
yellow dog' He said,
«الْكَلْبُ
الْأَسْوَدُ شَيْطَانٌ»
(The black dog is a devil.).''
Also, Ibn Jarir At-Tabari recorded that `Umar bin Al-Khattab once rode a
Berthawn (huge camel) which started to proceed arrogantly. `Umar kept striking
the animal, but the animal kept walking in an arrogant manner. `Umar dismounted
the animal and said, "By Allah! You have carried me on a Shaytan. I did not come
down from it until after I had felt something strange in my heart.'' This Hadith
has an authentic chain of narrators.
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