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
وَقَطَّعْنَـٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أُمَمًا ۖ مِّنْهُمُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُونَ وَمِنْهُمْ دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ ۖ وَبَلَوْنَـٰهُم بِٱلْحَسَنَـٰتِ وَٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
And We divided them throughout the earth into nations. Of them some were righteous, and of them some were otherwise. And We tested them with good [times] and bad that perhaps they would return [to obedience].
قَدِ ٱفْتَرَيْنَا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا إِنْ عُدْنَا فِى مِلَّتِكُم بَعْدَ إِذْ نَجَّىٰنَا ٱللَّهُ مِنْهَا ۚ وَمَا يَكُونُ لَنَآ أَن نَّعُودَ فِيهَآ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّنَا ۚ وَسِعَ رَبُّنَا كُلَّ شَىْءٍ عِلْمًا ۚ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا ٱفْتَحْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ قَوْمِنَا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْفَـٰتِحِينَ
We would have invented against Allāh a lie if we returned to your religion after Allāh had saved us from it. And it is not for us to return to it except that Allāh, our Lord, should will. Our Lord has encompassed all things in knowledge. Upon Allāh we have relied. Our Lord, decide between us and our people in truth, and You are the best of those who give decision."
قَالَ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ فِىٓ أُمَمٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِكُم مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ وَٱلْإِنسِ فِى ٱلنَّارِ ۖ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَتْ أُمَّةٌ لَّعَنَتْ أُخْتَهَا ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا ٱدَّارَكُوا۟ فِيهَا جَمِيعًا قَالَتْ أُخْرَىٰهُمْ لِأُولَىٰهُمْ رَبَّنَا هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ أَضَلُّونَا فَـَٔاتِهِمْ عَذَابًا ضِعْفًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ قَالَ لِكُلٍّ ضِعْفٌ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَعْلَمُونَ
[Allāh] will say, "Enter among nations which had passed on before you of jinn and mankind into the Fire." Every time a nation enters, it will curse its sister until, when they have all overtaken one another therein, the last of them will say about the first of them, "Our Lord, these had misled us, so give them a double punishment of the Fire." He will say, "For each is double, but you do not know."
قَالَ فَبِمَآ أَغْوَيْتَنِى لَأَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَٰطَكَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ
[Satan] said, "Because You have put me in error, I will surely sit in wait for them [i.e., mankind] on Your straight path.