Perspectives on a supernatural drama - 3

Starting with the name of The Merciful, this series of articles explores ‘Coma’, a supernatural drama broadcast on ifilm; the review will include evil as a theme in the drama. Here’s excerpts from interviews with the theology adviser to the screenplay development.

Note: the article series will explore the topic of Satanology from the outset, as the main theme of the series broadcast on ifilm; however, after talking about a major obstacle on the path to God, the path itself, as well as themes such as love for God, The Merciful, will come to the fore in the article series. So, pictures used all the way through will be predominantly of a positive theme; hence suggestive of the ultimate goal of the humankind, i.e. reaching God.

Studying Devil

Actually my purpose in getting to know Satan better is no different from the broader and sublime goal of all prophets of God, i.e. seeing mankind exalt. So, toward such a divinely set aspiration, a big obstacle would be Satan. There seems to be no one who claims to be capable of such pursuit, without a tendency to get to know the Devil. We’re duty-bound to know an enemy who’s alive and who has sworn-in as a staunch enemy of mankind, and we are obliged to raise awareness and instruct people of such a foe. Therefore, if one is interested in man’s perfection, there needs to be an interest on his side in understanding who Satan is, Satanology has to be among his areas of interest.

In response to the question of where the Islamic definition of Satan comes from, now that the state TV is once again touching upon the issue, I’ve got to say that it goes back to the Quran, as the primary source of knowledge, and the sayings of the infallibles (Peace Be Upon Them All). If you search in the dictionaries existing on this, you’ll arrive at a better definition of the creature, and know the limits of his abilities. To do so, your options are both the root word, and its derivatives. As an example, you’ll learn that Eblis, or Satan, was a Genie or elf, who was the forefather of the race; they reproduce and have followers, part of whom are believers. Those are some of the niceties of the field. Now, we’ve triggered a curiosity and motivation, as well as questions about Satan, in people.

Closing tip: Be determined to know your enemy.

To be continued.

Stay with ifilm on the supernatural side of ‘Coma’.

MF/MF