وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ مَا تَتْلُوا۟ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينُ عَلَىٰ مُلْكِ سُلَيْمَـٰنَ ۖ وَمَا كَفَرَ سُلَيْمَـٰنُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُعَلِّمُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ ٱلسِّحْرَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَى ٱلْمَلَكَيْنِ بِبَابِلَ هَـٰرُوتَ وَمَـٰرُوتَ ۚ وَمَا يُعَلِّمَانِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَآ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌ فَلَا تَكْفُرْ ۖ فَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مِنْهُمَا مَا يُفَرِّقُونَ بِهِۦ بَيْنَ ٱلْمَرْءِ وَزَوْجِهِۦ ۚ وَمَا هُم بِضَآرِّينَ بِهِۦ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلَا يَنفَعُهُمْ ۚ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمُوا۟ لَمَنِ ٱشْتَرَىٰهُ مَا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَـٰقٍ ۚ وَلَبِئْسَ مَا شَرَوْا۟ بِهِۦٓ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ 102
Translations
And they followed [instead] what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Hārūt and Mārūt. But they [i.e., the two angels] do not teach anyone unless they say, "We are a trial, so do not disbelieve [by practicing magic]." And [yet] they learn from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife. But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allāh. And they [i.e., people] learn what harms them and does not benefit them. But they [i.e., the Children of Israel] certainly knew that whoever purchased it [i.e., magic] would not have in the Hereafter any share. And wretched is that for which they sold themselves, if they only knew.
Transliteration
Wa-ittaba'ū mā tatlū ash-shayāṭīnu 'alā mulki Sulaymān wa-mā kafara Sulaymān wa-lākinna ash-shayāṭīna kafarū yu'allimūn an-nāsa as-siḥra wa-mā unzila 'ala al-malakayni bi-Bābila Hārūta wa-Mārūta wa-mā yu'allimāni min aḥadin ḥattā yaqūlā innama naḥnu fitnatun fa-lā takfur fa-yata'allimūna minhumā mā yufarriqūn bihi bayna al-mar'i wa-zawjatih wa-mā hum biḍārrīna bihi min aḥadin illā bi-idhn Allah wa-yata'allimūn mā yaḍurruhum wa-lā yanfa'uhum wa-laqad 'alimū la-mani-shtarāhu mā lahu fi al-ākhirati min khalāq wa-labi'sa mā sharau bihi anfusahum law kānū ya'lamūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the rejection of sorcery (siḥr) and condemns those who followed false teachings attributed to Solomon's time instead of following the truth. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that the verse references two angels, Hārūt and Mārūt, sent to Babylon as a trial for humanity, who would teach magic only after warning people that learning it constitutes disbelief. The ayah emphasizes that magic cannot harm anyone without Allah's permission and that those who pursue such knowledge exchange their eternal salvation for worldly gain.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the broader Medinan context of Surah Al-Baqarah, which addresses the Jewish community in Medina and their engagement with forbidden practices. The specific reference appears to respond to accusations or practices among certain groups who claimed to follow Solomonic traditions while practicing magic. The surah's discussion of magic relates to the pre-Islamic and contemporary practices that contradicted monotheistic belief.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4:54:437) reports that the Prophet ﷺ condemned magic as one of the major sins. Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah contains reports about the dangers of magic and its prohibition in Islam, emphasizing that those who practice it have severed themselves from reliance on Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that forbidden knowledge—despite its apparent power or appeal—ultimately leads to spiritual loss and divine displeasure, as the pursuits of magic represent a rejection of Allah's sovereignty and protection. Understanding that all harm and benefit come only by Allah's permission should redirect human effort toward beneficial, lawful knowledge that serves both this life and the next.