Asked, "What is Satan?" He replied: "The insistent self."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- ABU3645)
Satan and the insistent self: vigilance without enmity
Satan; the Evil One
Editorial introduction
Asked what Satan is, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá answered in three words: the insistent self. The Bahá’í writings turn the old warning inward. There is no personal devil and no satanic tree; humanity grows on one tree of divine mercy, and the enemy is the ego that wants to win every hour, the pride that made a glorious angel fall when he looked at the niche and missed the lamp, the self-righteousness that was the Pharisee’s devil while the tax-collector’s confessed sins became his angel. Whatever makes you heedless of God, for that time, is your Satan. Vigilance is therefore needed against deception in its subtler dress, refinement hiding base intent, humility that is only a pose, error spoken in the name of truth. James tracing temptation to a person’s own desire makes a close companion [1], without closing every Christian question about the devil. The task is to examine the motives behind one’s conduct while refusing to sort people into sacred and demonic kinds, and to stay steadfast without quarrelling. From here the way leads to selfishness and egotism, to the nonexistence of evil, and to heaven and hell.
Selected passages
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at All Souls Unitarian Church on 1912-Jul-14 -- ABU0023)
Again, there is a devil within man, just as there is the divine voice within man. Anything, for the time that makes you become heedless of God is your Satan.
In the story of the Pharisees and the tax-gatherer praying in the Temple, the self-righteousness of the Pharisee was his devil, whereas the sins and the shortcomings of the Tax-gatherer which drew him toward God, to confess, and entreat pardon for them became his angel. The word of satan or devil means the opponent of God, - there is no entity of that name.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to E.J. Rosenberg et al, spoken around Feb. 1901 -- ABU1043)
Personal identity of the devil is not true.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken ca. 1900 -- ABU2648)
This Satan is the human ego. For every human being there is a Satan, which is their ego, that at every minute and hour wants to overcome them.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Apr-04 in Germany -- ABU2239)
[The honored Akhavan-Safa inquired of the nature of Satan and 'Abdu'l-Baha's response was:] Satan is the base self, which provokes destruction and impetuosity. Outwardly some individuals are refined and presentable, but in their essence they remain base. That is, externally they appear like others, but they harbor sordid intentions and designs.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the friends spoken in Dec. 1907 -- ABU3143)
The call of Satan is: "Hasten to falsehood! Hasten to calumny! Hasten to the pursuit of self and passion! Hasten to love of the world! Hasten to tyranny! Hasten to disobedience! Hasten to pride and arrogance! Hasten to evil conduct and manners!"
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken ca. Jan. 1909 -- ABU1735)
The first person that was vain and pleased with himself was the Satan. Vanity is one of the characteristics of Satan.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Pleiades Sylvan Bower, Alhammeh near Tiberias, 1914-May-10 -- ABU2908)
Sacred history records that Satan was favored at the Threshold of God and was the teacher of the angels, and in every one of the seven heavens he was known by a holy name. As soon as he began to see himself, to think of himself he was fallen.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to pilgrims, spoken on 1914-Apr-23 -- ABU1228)
Though he was among the greatest angels of heaven, he descended to the lowest plane when he grew proud and said "I am the most noble, the most high," veiled by elements from the dazzling Light. He looked at the physical temple and earthly element while heedless of the divine mystery deposited in that luminous temple. He focused on the niche while neglecting the lamp, and saw the dark shells while ignorant of the radiant and noble Pearl hidden in that supreme shell.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- AB00526)
The whole globe is nothing before one ray of the Sun of Truth.
Thus it is said in the Gospel that Satan took Christ to the top of a high mountain, showed Him the world outspread and told Him that he would give Him all these things if he would follow him. But Christ refused.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the Baha'is, spoken at Hotel Plaza on 1912-Sep-18 -- ABU2709)
O people of the earth! Believe in the Light which God has sent down with Me in pure truth, and follow not the footsteps of Satan, for he commands you to associate partners with God, your Lord.
… O Remembrance of God! Say: Seek refuge with God from the evil of the whisperer who whispers in people's breasts, for verily your Lord, God the Truth, is ever watchful over all things.
(The Báb, Qayyumu'l-Asma' (Commentary on the Surah of Joseph), 1260-05 [1844-May] -- BB00002)
People are weak - despite having complete trust, Satan sometimes casts doubts and whispers into heedless souls.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1302-08-05 [1885-May-20], to Ibn-i-Abhar -- BH02414)
Some, through the whisperings of the Evil One, were deprived of the ocean of Thy mercy, while others were illumined by the effulgences of the Sun of Truth.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1306 ? [1888-1889] -- BH07695)
Observe thou the first one who denied God - he stood before the Face while We sent down verses unto him, until Satan deceived him, who was indeed mankind's manifest enemy.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1296 ? [1878-1879], to Ibn Asdaq (Hand of the Cause) -- BH06703)
They have forsaken the Self-Subsisting and clung to vain imaginings, having followed the promptings of the Evil Ones who turn people away from this Most Great Ocean while supposing themselves to be guided aright.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290-05 [1873-Jun], to Ja'far ahl-i-Ya -- BH05103)
The satans have been and are lying in wait in the name of truth.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1298-09 [1881-Jul], to Habibullah Fath-i-Azam -- BH09218)
O Pen of Command! Make mention in the Tablet of that which Satan uttered in those days when he said unto his hosts: "Come ye and help me, that your names may endure upon the earth." Thus did he whisper into the breasts of the idolaters.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Muhammad Sadiq et al -- BH03186)
Satan appears in various forms and likenesses to mislead the people and prevent them from this straight path.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290-05 [1873-Jun] -- BH04449)
Verily, Satan hath appeared in every form in every city.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Muhammad -- BH05671)
Satans are spread throughout the earth and are occupied with leading humanity astray.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Nabil Qabl-i-Baqir -- BH06485)
We have not forgotten thee, but Satan hath lurked in every pathway, and thus the divine fragrances have been withheld from God's successful servants.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Haji Muhammad Nasir -- BH05097)
(Bahá’u’lláh, ca. 1289-1290? -- BH02747)
Seek steadfastness from God, for verily the satans lie in ambush for the servants with utmost craftiness and ever have done so.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1294 [1876-1877], to Fatimih Baygum -- BH10790)
Exert your utmost effort and striving to preserve this lofty and most exalted station, for the satans lie in ambush and the Cause is in God's hands, the True Sovereign, the Manifest.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1297-12-15 [1880-Nov-18], to Mulla Abdul-Hamid -- BH02677)
Stand firm in that whereunto thou hast attained, for verily Satan lieth in wait and calleth the people unto vain imaginings.
(Bahá’u’lláh, ca. 1289-1290?, to Ustad Asadullah Hi Dal -- BH04638)
Remember your Lord at eventide and at dawn, and guard yourselves against the wiles of Satan, for he appeareth at all times with cunning. Seek ye refuge in God, O company of the righteous, that He may, through His power and sovereignty, protect you from his evil.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Salman -- BH06052)
O Ramadan! God willing, through the loving-kindness of the All-Merciful thou wilt drink from the cup of everlasting life and remain firm in thy attachment to the Beloved of all creation, in such wise that the hosts of Satan will not prevent thee nor deprive thee of this most great bounty.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290-05 [1873-Jun], to Ramidan -- BH09788)
Today the All-Merciful is manifest and Satan is evident. Blessed is the soul whom the whisperings of Satan did not prevent from the Most Great Announcement and the Straight Path, and who arose with perfect steadfastness to promote the Cause of the Lord of all beings.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1303 ? [1885-1886] -- BH10161)
Soon will Satan call out in the name of the All-Merciful - this is what We have informed you of beforehand, if you be of those who understand.
… We counsel all to the Most Great Steadfastness, for the manifestations of Satan, with utmost humility and submissiveness, lie in wait and have led and continue to lead people astray in the name of truth.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1298 ? [1880-1881], to Aqa Muhammad Ja'far S -- BH03195)
O you who are firm in the Covenant! You had asked for the interpretation of your dream.
… And afterward, standing in the prayer niche indicates resistance against the people of contention and the opponents of the Covenant of the Lord of Majesty, for the prayer niche is the place of battle with Satan, and through worship of the All-Merciful in the prayer niche, man wages war with "the first one who refused and showed pride."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Mirza Aqa Bashir Ilahi (Bashirus-Sultan) -- AB05122)
Yesterday, in response to the request of the editor of the Christian Commonwealth, I wrote something for that journal: that because of contention with Satan, Adam was expelled from Paradise. Therefore contention even with Satan is not permissible, and strife and disputation with the enemy are likewise forbidden, for they cause deprivation from the grace of the loving Lord.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1912-Dec-25 in London -- ABU3724)
Continue exploring
For thought and discussion
Questions to carry forward
- How does interpreting Satan as the insistent self change the practical meaning of spiritual vigilance?
- Why might self-righteousness or apparent humility become harder to recognize than an openly destructive impulse?
- What does James’ account of desire contribute to the discussion, and what questions does it leave open?
- How can we assess harmful conduct without dividing humanity into inherently divine and inherently satanic groups?
- What practices might help us resist pride and deception while remaining free from quarrelling and contempt?