In the Nahj Al Balagha, Imam Ali says shaitan was a malaika/angel. However in the Quran Allah clearly states he was from the jinn. What is the zaidi belief? Is iblis an angel or jinn?

Regarding Iblees, he is only connected to the angels and numbered amongst them because of his long time of worship as is mentioned in the Nahj. He was a slave of Allah for 6000 years. However, it is unknown whether that was in this world’s years or the Afterlife’s years.

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