إِنَّمَا سُلْطَـٰنُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَهُۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِهِۦ مُشْرِكُونَ 100
Translations
His authority is only over those who take him as an ally and those who through him associate others with Allāh.
Transliteration
Innama sultanuhoo alallathheena yatawallawnahoo wallatheena hum bihee mushrikoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah clarifies that Iblis (Satan) has no power or authority over the believers; his influence is limited only to those who ally themselves with him and associate partners with Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this is a reassurance to the faithful that Satan cannot compel anyone to sin, but can only suggest and whisper to those who willingly follow him. The ayah underscores human free will and accountability—Satan's authority depends entirely on the willingness of individuals to turn away from Allah and embrace polytheism.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Nahl's discussion of Satan's enmity toward humanity and his role as a tempter rather than a tyrant. The broader passage (16:98-100) addresses Satan's inability to harm sincere believers who seek refuge in Allah, making this a Meccan surah's reassurance during early Islamic persecution.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Satan runs in the son of Adam like blood [through the body],' illustrating Satan's constant attempts to mislead, yet humans retain the power to reject his whispers. Also relevant: the hadith in Jami' at-Tirmidhi about seeking refuge in Allah (A'udhu billah) as protection against Satan's authority.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should understand that Satan has no compulsive power over them—his authority exists only where we permit it through disobedience and turning away from Allah. By maintaining firm belief in Allah's oneness and resisting polytheism, we render Satan's schemes powerless against us.