قَالَ ٱهْبِطُوا۟ بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَـٰعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ 24
Translations
[Allāh] said, "Descend, being to one another enemies. And for you on the earth is a place of settlement and enjoyment [i.e., provision] for a time."
Transliteration
Qala ahabitu ba'dukum liba'din 'aduwwun wa lakum fil-ardi mustaqarrun wa mata'un ila hinin
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commanded Adam, Eve, and Iblis to descend from Paradise to the earth, stating that they would be enemies to one another. This ayah establishes that humanity and Satan are mutual adversaries, and that the earth is appointed as a place of settlement and sustenance for mankind until an appointed time (the Day of Judgment). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this marks the beginning of human trial and responsibility on earth, with the promise of provision balanced against the reality of satanic enmity.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Adam's expulsion from Paradise (Surah Al-A'raf: 11-25), following his disobedience and consumption of the forbidden tree. The surah was revealed in Mecca during the early Meccan period and addresses the consequences of transgression while establishing the foundational relationship between humanity, Satan, and earthly life.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Iblis said: By Your Might, O Lord, I will not cease leading Your servants astray as long as their souls are in their bodies.' Allah replied: 'Then by My Might, I will keep filling Hell with you and with those who follow you among them' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Also related: 'Satan circulates in the son of Adam like blood' (Sahih al-Bukhari 3175).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that worldly life is a test and temporary journey where we face spiritual opposition from Satan, yet we are provided with sustenance and means by Allah. Understanding Satan as an enemy helps believers maintain vigilance against harmful influences while relying on God's guidance and mercy throughout their earthly sojourn.
Related Ayahs
فَإِذَا جَآءَتْهُمُ ٱلْحَسَنَةُ قَالُوا۟ لَنَا هَـٰذِهِۦ ۖ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَطَّيَّرُوا۟ بِمُوسَىٰ وَمَن مَّعَهُۥٓ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّمَا طَـٰٓئِرُهُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
But when good [i.e., provision] came to them, they said, "This is ours [by right]." And if a bad [condition] struck them, they saw an evil omen in Moses and those with him. Unquestionably, their fortune is with Allāh, but most of them do not know.
۞ وَإِذَا صُرِفَتْ أَبْصَـٰرُهُمْ تِلْقَآءَ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلنَّارِ قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا مَعَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
And when their eyes are turned toward the companions of the Fire, they say, "Our Lord, do not place us with the wrongdoing people."
ٱلَّذِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا وَهُم بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ كَـٰفِرُونَ
Who averted [people] from the way of Allāh and sought to make it [seem] deviant while they were, concerning the Hereafter, disbelievers."
إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ يُغْشِى ٱلَّيْلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ يَطْلُبُهُۥ حَثِيثًا وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ وَٱلنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَٰتٍۭ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ ۗ أَلَا لَهُ ٱلْخَلْقُ وَٱلْأَمْرُ ۗ تَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Indeed, your Lord is Allāh, who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne. He covers the night with the day, [another night] chasing it rapidly; and [He created] the sun, the moon, and the stars, subjected by His command. Unquestionably, His is the creation and the command; blessed is Allāh, Lord of the worlds.