Allah the Deceiver

Satan’s Explosive Accusation Against the Integrity of Islam’s God

Islamic theology has long attempted to veil its more troubling implications behind flowery language and vague interpretations. But for those willing to pull back the curtain of apologetics and examine the text directly, the Quran reveals something staggering: Satan himself accuses Allah of deception—of misleading him from the truth—and shockingly, the Quran does not dispute the charge.

In fact, Allah not only allows the accusation to stand, but the Quran itself repeatedly affirms that Allah is a deceiver—indeed, the best deceiver of all.

Allah’s Title: “The Best of Deceivers”

Twice in the Quran, Allah is called khayru al-makireen, literally: “the best of those who scheme or deceive.”

• “But Allah is the best of schemers (makireen).” — Surah 3:54

• “And they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners (makireen).” — Surah 8:30

Let’s not be fooled by translators who soften makr into “plan” or “scheme.” The word is consistently used in negative, conniving contexts—akin to “plot,” “dupe,” or “deceive.” So the question must be asked: What kind of deity takes pride in being the best at deception?

Satan’s Accusation: “YOU Misled Me!”

In Surah 15:39, we are given a stunning courtroom-like exchange. Satan (Iblis), after being condemned for not bowing to Adam, responds not with repentance, but with an accusation: he blames Allah for misleading him.

“[Iblis] said, ‘My Lord, since You have misled me (aghwaytanee), I will surely mislead them [humans] on earth…’” — Surah 15:39

Again in Surah 7:16, Satan charges:

“Because You have sent me astray (aghwaytanee), I will lie in ambush for them on Your straight path.”

This is not a fringe translation. Virtually all major versions—Arberry, Dawood, Cleary, Rodwell, Sale—translate aghwaytanee as:

• “perverted me”

• “misled me”

• “seduced me”

• “caused me to err”

• “depraved me”

Even the Tafsir literature (Ibn ‘Abbas, al-Jalalayn) agrees that Iblis is accusing Allah of being the very cause of his fall.

Does the Quran Deny This Accusation?

No. Allah never refutes Iblis’ claim. Instead, Allah accepts Satan’s vow to mislead mankind as a given and responds with logistical parameters—who he may and may not touch.

What’s worse, the Quran openly confirms that Allah does mislead people:

“He [Allah] misleads whom He wills and guides whom He wills.” — Surah 14:4
“Whom Allah sends astray, never will you find for him a way.” — Surah 4:88
“And my advice will not benefit you… if Allah wills to mislead you (yughwiyakum).” — Surah 11:34

So let’s be clear: Satan accuses Allah of deception, and Allah’s own book essentially says, “Yes, that’s true.”

Did Allah Trick Satan?

Consider the details of the fall. Allah commands the angels to prostrate to Adam. Iblis refuses. But in Surah 18:50, the Quran clarifies that Iblis wasn’t even an angel. He was a jinn.

“And [remember] when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate to Adam,’ and they prostrated, except Iblis. He was of the jinn and departed from the command of his Lord.” — Surah 18:50

So let’s get this straight:

• Allah commanded angels to bow.

• Iblis is not an angel.

• Yet Allah condemns Iblis for disobeying a command that wasn’t directed at him?

Is this justice? Or is it divine entrapment?

If Iblis is lying, where is the Quran’s correction? Instead, the narrative seems to confirm that Iblis had been set up—entrapped by a command not meant for him, then condemned as if it were.

Was Iblis Right to Feel Deceived?

From a purely logical perspective, Iblis had every reason to believe he was misled:

• He was condemned for not obeying a command directed at angels.

• He was punished for refusing to do something the Quran elsewhere forbids: worshiping a created being.

  • “Prostrate not to the sun or the moon… but to Allah alone.” — Surah 41:37

• He was then used as a scapegoat for mankind’s future failure—just as Allah himself boasts of misleading whom He wills.

So yes, Satan felt deceived—and the Quran seems to validate that feeling.

But Satan Lies… Doesn’t He?

Muslims may argue: “Satan is a liar! We can’t trust what he says.”
Except… the Quran doesn’t refute him here. And more importantly, the Hadith affirms that Satan sometimes tells the truth:

“He told you the truth, though he is a liar.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, 4:54:495

Even Satan feared Allah:

“Indeed! I fear Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment.” — Surah 8:48

So we ask: If Satan lied in Surah 15, why didn’t Allah correct him? Why didn’t Allah say, “No, I didn’t mislead you”? Instead, Allah let the accusation stand—and later doubled down, repeatedly declaring that He does in fact mislead whomever He wills.

Conclusion: The Quran’s God Is a Deceiver

Let’s put all the pieces together:

• Allah is called the “best of deceivers”.

• Satan accuses Allah of deception, and the Quran lets that accusation stand.

• Allah repeatedly claims to mislead people.

• Even devout Muslims are warned not to trust guidance unless Allah wills it.

This is not the picture of a holy, righteous, or trustworthy God. This is a picture of a manipulative puppet-master, who proudly boasts of deceiving both saints and sinners alike.

By contrast, the Bible says:

“God is not a man, that He should lie…” — Numbers 23:19
“It is impossible for God to lie.” — Hebrews 6:18
“Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life…’” — John 14:6

The God of the Bible is the God of truth.
The god of the Quran? Even Satan says: He deceived me. And the Quran gives no reason to doubt him.