وَإِخْوَٰنُهُمْ يَمُدُّونَهُمْ فِى ٱلْغَىِّ ثُمَّ لَا يُقْصِرُونَ 202
Translations
But their brothers - they [i.e., the devils] increase them in error; then they do not stop short.
Transliteration
Wa ikhwānuhum yamuddūnahum fil-ghayyi thumma lā yuqsirūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the devils (shayāṭīn) among jinn and humans who actively encourage and extend others into misguidance and error, without ceasing or relenting in their efforts. Classical scholars like Al-Qurṭubī and Ibn Kathīr explain that 'their brothers' refers to the satanic influences who persistently lead people astray, emphasizing how evil companionship and demonic whispers work together to deepen one's deviation from the straight path.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-A'rāf (7:202), which is part of a passage discussing the relationship between humans and jinn, and how both righteous and evil entities interact with mankind. The broader context discusses those who remember Allah versus those who are led astray by their desires and satanic influences. The specific theme addresses how evil companions (both human and jinn) collectively work to perpetuate misguidance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: 'A person follows the religion of his close friend, so let each of you be careful about whom he takes as a close friend' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2378). This reinforces the ayah's warning about harmful companionship and its influence on one's spiritual path.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must be vigilant about choosing righteous companions and guarding themselves against negative influences, whether from people or satanic whispers, recognizing that evil often works persistently to establish itself. This ayah serves as a reminder to seek protection through remembrance of Allah and to distance oneself from those who would lead one toward disobedience.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ أَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ أَبْغِيكُمْ إِلَـٰهًا وَهُوَ فَضَّلَكُمْ عَلَى ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
He said, "Is it other than Allāh I should desire for you as a god while He has preferred you over the worlds?"
۞ وَإِذْ نَتَقْنَا ٱلْجَبَلَ فَوْقَهُمْ كَأَنَّهُۥ ظُلَّةٌ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَنَّهُۥ وَاقِعٌۢ بِهِمْ خُذُوا۟ مَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
And [mention] when We raised the mountain above them as if it was a dark cloud and they were certain that it would fall upon them, [and Allāh said], "Take what We have given you with determination and remember what is in it that you might fear Allāh."
ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۗ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ
Follow, [O mankind], what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow other than Him any allies. Little do you remember.
۞ هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا لِيَسْكُنَ إِلَيْهَا ۖ فَلَمَّا تَغَشَّىٰهَا حَمَلَتْ حَمْلًا خَفِيفًا فَمَرَّتْ بِهِۦ ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَثْقَلَت دَّعَوَا ٱللَّهَ رَبَّهُمَا لَئِنْ ءَاتَيْتَنَا صَـٰلِحًا لَّنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ
It is He who created you from one soul and created from it its mate that he might dwell in security with her. And when he [i.e., man] covers her, she carries a light burden [i.e., a pregnancy] and continues therein. And when it becomes heavy, they both invoke Allāh, their Lord, "If You should give us a good [child], we will surely be among the grateful."