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AZĀZĪL, THE EVIL SPIRIT |
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There is no doubt some difference between the two accounts: the Muslims
holding that Azāzīl worshipped the Almighty, while the Zoroastrians say he
knew him not. Still the similarity is obvious, for according to both, he came
forth from the pit to destroy God's creation.
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Before leaving Azāzīl, there is another tale of which comparison may be
made between the Muslims and Zoroastrians, namely, the story of the Peacock. The
following is the Muslim tradition: —
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Azāzīl kept sitting at the gate of Paradise, anxious to enter. The Peacock
also was there seated on a Pinnacle, when he saw one repeating the mighty Names
of God. Who art thou? asked the Peacock. "I am one of the angels of the
Almighty"; - "But why art thou sitting here?" "I am looking
at Paradise and wish to enter." The Peacock said, "I have no command
to let any one enter as long as Adam is there." — "If thou wilt let me
in," said the other, "I will teach them a prayer which if any one
repeat, three things will be his — he will never grow old; never be rebellious;
nor will any one ever turn him out of Paradise." Then Iblīs (the devil)
repeated the prayer. The peacock also from his pinnacle did the same, and
forthwith flew up to the Serpent and told him what he had heard from Iblīs. We
also learn that when God cast down Adam and Eve with the devil (Iblīs) from
Paradise, the Peacock also was expelled along with them.1
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The old Persian account of the Peacock differs from the above; but they too
associate him with Ahriman, for Eznik in his book "Against Heresies"
writes as follows: —
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The Zoroastrians tell us that Ahriman spake as follows:— It is not the case
that I am unable to do anything good myself, but that I do not wish it; and to
make this thing certain, I have produced the Peacock.
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So the Peacock having been the creation of Azāzīl, it is quite consistent
with the Muslim tradition that he should be his assistant, and with him have
been cast down from Paradise.
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IV. The Light of Muhammad.— Muhammad is reputed by Tradition to have
said:— The
first thing created by the Almighty was my Light.1 Again:— When Adam was
created, the Lord having placed that light upon his forehead, said, O Adam, this
light which I place upon thy forehead is that of the greatest and best of thy
descendants, the light of the Chief of Prophets that shall be sent. This light
descended from Adam to Seth, and then in successive generations to Abdullah, and
from him to Amina at the time of Muhammad's conception. We are further told by
the Traditionists that the Prophet is reputed to have spoken thus:—
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The Almighty parted that light into four sections, from which he made the
heavens, the pen, Paradise, and believers; each of these four he again divided
into four: from the first he formed me, who am the Prophet; from the second he
formed reason placed in the Believer's head; from the third modesty within the
Believer's eye; and from the fourth love within his heart.2
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Let us compare this with the Zoroastrian views:—
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In a very ancient book, Ormazd is represented as having created the world and
the universe, angels and archangels, and the heavenly intellect, all out of his
own light, with the praise of Boundless Time.3
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Again, from a still much older work, we quote as follows:—
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