كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِ أَنَّهُۥ مَن تَوَلَّاهُ فَأَنَّهُۥ يُضِلُّهُۥ وَيَهْدِيهِ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ 4
Translations
It has been decreed for him [i.e., every devil] that whoever turns to him - he will misguide him and will lead him to the punishment of the Blaze.
Transliteration
Kutiba alayhi annahu man tawallahu fa-annahu yudilluhu wa-yahdih ilá adhabi as-saír
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Satan (Iblis), stating that it is decreed upon him that whoever takes him as a protector and ally, he will lead them astray and guide them toward the punishment of the Hellfire. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain this as Allah's declaration of Satan's role and fate—he is bound by divine decree to mislead those who willingly follow him, demonstrating the consequences of rejecting divine guidance. The ayah emphasizes personal choice and responsibility: those who ally with Satan do so knowingly, and they will face the inevitable result of their choice.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Hajj, a Medinan surah addressing believers about pilgrimage and faith. The broader context (verses 1-5) discusses the Day of Judgment and the contrast between believers and disbelievers. This particular ayah specifically addresses Satan's role and his influence over those who reject faith, fitting within the surah's theme of warning against misguidance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Satan despairs of being worshipped in your land, but he will be obeyed in matters you deem insignificant' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi). Also relevant: 'When Allah intends good for a person, He grants him understanding of the religion' (Sahih Bukhari), which contrasts with Satan's misguidence.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that Satan's power over us is contingent upon our willing submission to him; by consciously choosing to follow Allah's guidance and reject temptation, we protect ourselves from this deception. It serves as a powerful warning that our choices have eternal consequences, and we must be vigilant in our commitment to faith and obedience to Allah.
Related Ayahs
لَن يَنَالَ ٱللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَآؤُهَا وَلَـٰكِن يَنَالُهُ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ مِنكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمْ لِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
Their meat will not reach Allāh, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allāh for that [to] which He has guided you; and give good tidings to the doers of good.
۞ ذَٰلِكَ وَمَنْ عَاقَبَ بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبَ بِهِۦ ثُمَّ بُغِىَ عَلَيْهِ لَيَنصُرَنَّهُ ٱللَّهُ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَعَفُوٌّ غَفُورٌ
That [is so]. And whoever responds [to injustice] with the equivalent of that with which he was harmed and then is tyrannized - Allāh will surely aid him. Indeed, Allāh is Pardoning and Forgiving.
وَأَصْحَـٰبُ مَدْيَنَ ۖ وَكُذِّبَ مُوسَىٰ فَأَمْلَيْتُ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ ثُمَّ أَخَذْتُهُمْ ۖ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ
And the inhabitants of Madyan. And Moses was denied, so I prolonged enjoyment for the disbelievers; then I seized them, and how [terrible] was My reproach.
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَهُمْ وَٱلْمُقِيمِى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
Who, when Allāh is mentioned, their hearts are fearful, and [to] the patient over what has afflicted them, and the establishers of prayer and those who spend from what We have provided them.