A Shaytan, also known as a Shaitan, are evil spirits that incite humans to sin by whispering to the heart in Islamic theology. By such, they always try to lead humans astray. Although demons are usually spoken of in abstract terms, and more often described by their evil influences only, they are depicted as ugly and grotesque creatures of hell-fire. Shaytan is also used as a name/term by Muslims to call Iblis, after his falling with Allah which resulted when he didn't bow down to Adam like the other angels.
They live among human beings or Jinn, for these two beings alone have been bestowed a "free will" to choose between obedience and disobedience of their lord among all his creations. They incite both with evil suggestions and tempt them into sin. All those among the Jinns and the human beings who follow the mission of disobedience of Iblis, the first Shaytan are all termed Shayateen too, since they follow their evil will.
Shayateen are "whisperers" who speak into the hearts of men and women alike to push them into doing sinful deeds and straying off the righteous path. This, and the Nafs "self which is inclined to evil" are the sources where the desire to sin comes from, according to Islam. There is a supplication in the Qu'ran which is aimed to fight off these temptations.
The word Šayṭān originates from the Semitic root š-ṭ-n ("distant, astray") taking a theological connotation designating a creature distant from divine mercy. In pre-Islamic Arabia, this term was used to designate an evil spirit, but only used by poets who were in contact with Jews and Christians. With the emergence of Islam, the meaning of shayatin moved closer to the Christian concept of devils. The term shayatin appears in a similar way in the Book of Enoch, denoting the hosts of the devil. Taken from Islamic sources, "shaitan" may be translated as "demon" or "devil." Among Muslim authors, the term can also apply to evil supernatural entities in general, such as evil jinn, fallen angels or Tawaghit. In a broader sense, the term is used to designate everything from an ontological perspective that is a manifestation of evil.
Shaytan is a recurring character in the newly introduced Womb of Grief. He observes the progress of both the protagonist and Alex, and slowly falls in love with the latter. If the protagonist completes the Womb of Grief but chooses not to help Alex change the future, Alex empowers herself with the Third Fruit and attacks him alongside Shaytan and Amon.
