Does Iblees (Satan) have freedom of will? Why is he eager to mislead people?

Question:

After a lot of thinking I began to question the Shaytaan's character. This question might tend to limits, but I was wondering why, if he knows his final destination is Hell, does he strive to do evil? -As he is, afterall, one among the Jinns. Humans divert to evil under the influence of the Shaytaan, but under what influence does the Shaytaan do evil? Why? -Does he not know, with firm confirmation (as he has communicated with Allah) that he is fuel for Hell? As he is a Jinn, does not he, like Humans, have the freedom of choice?.


Answer:

Praise be to Allaah. Iblees and other jinn, and humans, have free will and freedom of choice, to obey Allaah or to disobey Him, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Then whosoever wills, let him believe; and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve"

[al-Kahf 18:29]

"Verily, We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful"

[al-Insaan 76:3]

Allaah commanded Iblees to prostrate to Adam, but he refused and was arrogant, and was one of the kaafirs. So Allaah expelled him from His mercy, and cursed him until the Day of Judgement.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And (remember) when We said to the angels: `Prostrate yourselves before Adam.' And they prostrated except Iblees (Satan), he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers (disobedient to Allaah)"

[al-Baqarah 2:34]

"So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together.

Except Iblees (Satan)