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
يَدْعُوا۟ لَمَن ضَرُّهُۥٓ أَقْرَبُ مِن نَّفْعِهِۦ ۚ لَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَوْلَىٰ وَلَبِئْسَ ٱلْعَشِيرُ
He invokes one whose harm is closer than his benefit - how wretched the protector and how wretched the associate.
وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِۦ سُلْطَـٰنًا وَمَا لَيْسَ لَهُم بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ ۗ وَمَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِن نَّصِيرٍ
And they worship besides Allāh that for which He has not sent down authority and that of which they have no knowledge. And there will not be for the wrongdoers any helper.
۞ هَـٰذَانِ خَصْمَانِ ٱخْتَصَمُوا۟ فِى رَبِّهِمْ ۖ فَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ قُطِّعَتْ لَهُمْ ثِيَابٌ مِّن نَّارٍ يُصَبُّ مِن فَوْقِ رُءُوسِهِمُ ٱلْحَمِيمُ
These are two adversaries who have disputed over their Lord. But those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire. Poured upon their heads will be scalding water
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَٱسْتَمِعُوا۟ لَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَن يَخْلُقُوا۟ ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ ٱجْتَمَعُوا۟ لَهُۥ ۖ وَإِن يَسْلُبْهُمُ ٱلذُّبَابُ شَيْـًٔا لَّا يَسْتَنقِذُوهُ مِنْهُ ۚ ضَعُفَ ٱلطَّالِبُ وَٱلْمَطْلُوبُ
O people, an example is presented, so listen to it. Indeed, those you invoke besides Allāh will never create [as much as] a fly, even if they gathered together for it [i.e., that purpose]. And if the fly should steal from them a [tiny] thing, they could not recover it from him. Weak are the pursuer and pursued.