Satan in The Quran and The Old Testament A Comparative Study

In the Quran, shaytan as an adjective means evil and is used for any rebellious, recalcitrant being. Sometimes, however, this term is applied in its particular sense meaning Satan who was the first existent to be described as devil because of refusing to bow down before Adam. In the Genesis, serpent is a symbol of Satan who deceived Eve, made Adam and Eve eat from forbidden tree, and caused their Fall onto the earth. In the Old Testament, Satan is introduced as the enemy of God and Israelites. Being opponent of man’s happiness, Satan attempts to deceive them. Expounding perspectives of the Quran and the Old Testament concerning Satan, the present essay attempts to explain common and different facets of the two perspectives.