Satan’s Prostration Before Man

The fallen one returns to the throne of dust he once defied.

In a world where mankind has surpassed angels and demons alike,

even Satan himself seeks refuge from human hands.

Satan’s Prostration Before Man

By Faramarz Parsa

I—Satan, once one of God’s nearest and most beloved angels—declare this day that I bow before humankind and retreat forever to the darkest corner of Hell, seeking refuge from their hands.

Today, I confess my regret for refusing to bow before Adam when the Almighty commanded it. My remorse cannot restore the place I lost beside God, but perhaps it will save me from the cruelty of mankind.

When God formed Adam from clay, He knew the brilliance and boundless intelligence He had placed within him. And for that reason, He forgives his descendants each time they stumble and return to Him.

But now… mankind has remade all the angels upon the earth. They have even recreated me—more skillfully than I could have imagined—and have lightened the burden of the Angel of Death himself. I must admit, I now stand in awe of the greatness and power of this being shaped from dust. I bow before humanity and confess: I should have prostrated myself before Adam that first day. Then I would never have fallen from grace.

Today, humankind has become so mighty that they rise unshaken against all hardship. They draw upon every gift of the earth with mastery, leaving even God astonished. They pierce the depths of the planet, voyage among the stars, build tools that replace themselves, and resurrect the city of Lot across the globe. They know the fate of that city—and yet their defiance now surpasses every divine command.

I, the defeated Satan, now understand that God has given humankind limitless freedom. I am certain this was not without purpose—but the wisdom behind it lies beyond me.

I am powerless before them. They learned deceit and cunning from me, yet they wield it against me a thousandfold. Their crimes, their cruelty, their lies—there are no bounds to them. They cloak evil in the robes of faith, and with sacred words on their tongues, they commit the vilest of deeds.

I interfered in every matter of man, hoping to keep him from salvation. But I did not realize what marvels they would become. Hidden behind their insight, they saw a future that even I could not imagine.

And so—today—I surrender. I withdraw forever from the affairs of humankind and confess my defeat.

At that moment, when the Devil’s lament fell silent, a voice descended from the Almighty:

— “O Iblis, what has brought you to see yourself so humbled?”

Upon hearing his true name, Satan lowered his head and said:

— “Lord, my repentance cannot be accepted. Yet let me confess: when I deemed myself greater than the angels, it was because I was near You and witnessed Your creation’s magnificence. I should have bowed before Your command and prostrated myself before Adam. That was my weakness—the flaw that has left me humiliated before the being of clay who, after You, stands as the greatest power in existence.”

Then Gabriel appeared before him and spoke:

— “The covenant you made with God is not yet fulfilled. As you yourself said, no time was set for you. Until the final day of humankind, you must prove which of you is truly worthy before the Lord.”

Satan cried out:

— “Does God now wish to punish me through the hands of men? Does He not know what monsters they have become?”

Gabriel replied:

— “You asked the Lord for respite—that Azrael would never take your soul, and death would not touch you until the end of days. That is your oath, and you must abide by it.”

Satan bowed his head.

— “Then this is a punishment worse than death itself… for I can no longer stand against mankind.”

Gabriel turned to leave.

— “My time here is done. Go—and keep your covenant.”

And Satan, broken and trembling, fled to a desolate corner of darkness, whispering to himself:

“I must find a way… a way for mankind to destroy themselves.”

The End