Satan vs Shaitan
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Satan
n (Judeo-Christian religion) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
Shaitan
- Shait'an - (Sheen-Ta-Noon).
The common English equivalent for this word, namely Devil, does not properly express the Quranic sense of the original term. To start with, note the various meanings of the root
Shatan is a string which is long, twisted and strong.
Beirun-Shatunun is a well which is very deep. In fact, anything which is far away is called Shatunun or Shatinun.
Ar-Rumani has written that words like Shatta, Shatana and B'aoda are synonyms (Alf'az-ul-Mutradif'at). Ibn-e-Faris has also written that its basic meaning is to get far away.
Shatana means that a person went far away.
Shatana-Sahibuhu means that person opposed the intention as well as direction of his companion or kept his companion's intention different than his own, and from this reference the meaning of opposition and rebellion were derived (Taj / Lane). So the word Shait'an means one-
Who is away from Allah's Blessings, and hence devoid of life's pleasant things.
Who follows a wrong path, leaving aside the right one or becomes rebellious.
Shait'an is the name of an ugly serpent, as well as the intensity of thirst. As in verse (38/41) Job called his Rabb that he was touched by a serpent or felt extremely thirsty (Mirza Abul Fazal with reference to Q'amoos).
Some scholars think that the word Shait'an is taken from Shait'un which means to get burnt, to get destroyed.
Sh'atas-Samno means that the oil got so hot that it was near burning. So the word Shait'an means, the rebellious one having destructive or inflammable qualities. In Hebrew Shait'an means one who puts obstacles.In the Quran, verse (19/44) says that Shait'an is one who revolts against the orders of Allah. Verse (28/15) explains that when Moses stuck a blow to an Egyptian, as a result of which he died, Moses said, "O this was the satanic action!" So this means anything wrong which is done under emotional pressure is Shaitanat.
The ring leaders of the people who opposed the system of Allah were called Shia'teen (2/14, 12/5).
Those barbaric and rebellious tribes whom Solomon brought under his control and put them to work were called Shia'teen (21/82, 38/37). About a tree in Jahannam Allah says, "Its spathes are like the prickly pear." (37/65) Ka Annahu Rouso Shia'teen.
And We guard them against all obstinate rebellious evil spirits (37/7).
So according to the Holy Quran, any authority or power which differs, deviates or revolts against the Law or course of Allah is Shait'an.Is it now justified to to translate shairan to satan?