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.