فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ 98
Translations
So when you recite the Qur’ān, [first] seek refuge in Allāh from Satan, the expelled [from His mercy].
Transliteration
Fa-itha qarata al-Qur'ana fa-sta'idh billahi min ash-shaytani ar-rajim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands believers to seek refuge in Allah from Satan when reciting the Qur'an, as the Qur'an is the word of Allah and Satan seeks to distract or prevent understanding of it. Ibn Kathir emphasizes that this protection (istia'adhah) is a spiritual shield against Satan's whispers and distractions during recitation, while Al-Qurtubi notes that this command reflects the importance of the Qur'an and the active enmity Satan holds toward it and those who study it.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Nahl, a Meccan chapter that addresses fundamental Islamic concepts including God's signs in creation and guidance. The placement of this instruction emphasizes the Qur'an's status as divine guidance and the believer's need for spiritual protection when engaging with sacred text, serving as a practical guideline for all who approach the Qur'an.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'When you intend to recite the Qur'an, seek refuge with Allah from Satan the outcast' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet taught seeking refuge (ta'awwudh) as a preparatory practice before Qur'anic recitation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that engaging with Allah's word is a sacred act requiring spiritual preparation and mindfulness of Satan's attempts to distract or corrupt understanding. For modern readers, it emphasizes the importance of intentionality, purification of heart, and conscious reliance on Allah when studying Islamic texts and seeking divine guidance.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلْخَيْلَ وَٱلْبِغَالَ وَٱلْحَمِيرَ لِتَرْكَبُوهَا وَزِينَةً ۚ وَيَخْلُقُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
And [He created] the horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride and [as] adornment. And He creates that which you do not know.
ٱدْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَٱلْمَوْعِظَةِ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ ۖ وَجَـٰدِلْهُم بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ ۖ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.
وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ ثُمَّ يَتَوَفَّىٰكُمْ ۚ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰٓ أَرْذَلِ ٱلْعُمُرِ لِكَىْ لَا يَعْلَمَ بَعْدَ عِلْمٍ شَيْـًٔا ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ قَدِيرٌ
And Allāh created you; then He will take you in death. And among you is he who is reversed to the most decrepit [old] age so that he will not know, after [having had] knowledge, a thing. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing and Competent.
مَن كَفَرَ بِٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ إِيمَـٰنِهِۦٓ إِلَّا مَنْ أُكْرِهَ وَقَلْبُهُۥ مُطْمَئِنٌّۢ بِٱلْإِيمَـٰنِ وَلَـٰكِن مَّن شَرَحَ بِٱلْكُفْرِ صَدْرًا فَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
Whoever disbelieves in [i.e., denies] Allāh after his belief... except for one who is forced [to renounce his religion] while his heart is secure in faith. But those who [willingly] open their breasts to disbelief, upon them is wrath from Allāh, and for them is a great punishment;