The Meaning of the Angel's Prostration Ibn Jarir reported that Muhammad Ibn Sirin said that the first one to reach a conclusion by reasoning was Iblis and that the sun and moon were not worshipped except through this method. This means that Iblis tried to compare himself to Adam. He believed that he was more honorable than Adam. Therefore he abstained from prostrating even though ALLAH had commanded him to do so, just as HE had commanded the angels. If an analogy is made we see that Iblis is vain. For indeed clay is better than fire because in it can be found the qualities of calmness, clemency, perseverance, and growth; whereas in a fire can be found heedlessness, insignificance, haste, and incineration. Iblis tried in vain to justify his refusal: Shall I prostrate to one whom you created from clay? Iblis said: See? those whom you have honored above me, if you give me respite (keep me alive) to the Day of Resurrection, I will surely seize and mislead ...