إِنَّمَا ٱلنَّجْوَىٰ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ لِيَحْزُنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَلَيْسَ بِضَآرِّهِمْ شَيْـًٔا إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ 10
Translations
Private conversation is only from Satan that he may grieve those who have believed, but he will not harm them at all except by permission of Allāh. And upon Allāh let the believers rely.
Transliteration
Innamal-najwa minaash-shaytani liyahzunal-ladhina amanu wa laysa bidharihim shay'an illa bi-idhnil-lah wa alal-lahi falyatawakkal al-mu'minun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah clarifies that secret whisperings and evil counsel originate from Satan's influence, intended to grieve the believers, yet Satan possesses no power to harm them except by Allah's permission. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse reassures believers of Allah's ultimate sovereignty and that Satan's schemes are limited—he cannot compel harm without divine allowance. The remedy is complete reliance (tawakkul) upon Allah, which provides believers spiritual protection against Satan's machinations.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Medina and addresses disputes and conflicts that arose in the Muslim community. Surah Al-Mujadila specifically deals with the issue of a woman pleading her case before the Prophet regarding her marital dispute (the opening narrative). This particular ayah appears in a section warning against secret gatherings and whisperings that sow discord, reflecting the social tensions of the early Muslim community in Medina.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who have the best character' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet warned against backbiting and secret talk that harms the community, emphasizing righteousness as protection against Satan's influence.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that while Satan may attempt to create discord and sorrow through gossip and secret schemes, he has no true power except what Allah permits. The practical application is to place complete trust in Allah rather than fear Satan's plots, and to guard against participating in divisive whispering that fractures community bonds.