Although man is mad of the four elements---- fire, water, soil and air---- but the content of soil is prominent in his make-up. This gives volume and weight to the human body. Therefore the power of comprehension and action in a human being are limited.

Contrary to this, Satan is made of fire, with the fire and air being predominant components in his make-up. Therefore Satan is absolutely rare (lateef) and light and, therefore, has a very wide range of actions and mobility in his control.

Man thinks that he has great faculties at his command but Satan has such incredible capabilities that he can become so small as to easily pass through a tiny crevice. He can also become so huge as to entirely encompass a vast place! The distances that a man can travel over a month with difficulty, Satan can traverse in the time taken to blink the eyes once! The heavy weights that man is incapable of lifting, Satan can lift effortlessly!

In Surat al Naml Allah has made a reference towards this fact while narrating the story of Hazrat Sulaiman (a.s.) the throne of Bilqees:

Qaala ifreetum min al jinna ana aateeaka behi qabla an taqooma mim maqaamek wa inni alaihi laqawi un ameen

Said an audacious one among the jinn' I will bring it unto thee ere thou risest up from thy place; for verily I am strong (enough to do it) and I am (also thy) trusted one.'