وَلَأُضِلَّنَّهُمْ وَلَأُمَنِّيَنَّهُمْ وَلَـَٔامُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُبَتِّكُنَّ ءَاذَانَ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ وَلَـَٔامُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُغَيِّرُنَّ خَلْقَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يَتَّخِذِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ وَلِيًّا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ فَقَدْ خَسِرَ خُسْرَانًا مُّبِينًا 119
Translations
And I will mislead them, and I will arouse in them [sinful] desires, and I will command them so they will slit the ears of cattle, and I will command them so they will change the creation of Allāh." And whoever takes Satan as an ally instead of Allāh has certainly sustained a clear loss.
Transliteration
Wa-la-udillannahum wa-la-ammanniyyanahum wa-la-amurannnahum fa-layubattikunna adhana al-an'am wa-la-amurannnahum fa-layughayyirunna khalqa Allah. Wa-man yattakhidh al-shaytana waliyyan min duni Allah fa-qad khasira khusranan mubina.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah records Satan's oath to lead humans astray through deception, false hopes, and commands to commit forbidden acts—including mutilating animals and altering Allah's creation. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir interpret this as Satan's declaration of his malicious intent toward humanity, demonstrating his enmity and the nature of his rebellion. The ayah concludes by warning that anyone who takes Satan as a protector instead of Allah has suffered a manifest loss, emphasizing the catastrophic spiritual consequences of such a choice.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah An-Nisa's broader discussion of Satan's enmity toward humanity (beginning at 4:117-121). The context addresses Satan's declaration after his expulsion from Allah's mercy, illustrating his schemes and temptations. This section follows the prohibition against worshipping idols and reinforces the theme of monotheism versus deviation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Indeed, Satan has given up hope that he will be worshipped in this land of yours, but he will be obeyed in things other than that, which you will view as insignificant.' (Sunan An-Nasa'i 5754). Additionally, Surah Al-Isra 17:53 relates: 'Say, [O Muhammad], 'My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the suggestions of the devils'—emphasizing protection against Satanic whispers.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Satan is an active and declared enemy whose goal is our spiritual destruction through gradual corruption—whether through major sins or seemingly minor transgressions. By maintaining awareness of Satan's schemes and consciously choosing Allah as our sole protector, we safeguard ourselves from manifest loss in this life and the Hereafter.
Related Ayahs
وَلَهَدَيْنَـٰهُمْ صِرَٰطًا مُّسْتَقِيمًا
And We would have guided them to a straight path.
وَمَن يَقْتُلْ مُؤْمِنًا مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَآؤُهُۥ جَهَنَّمُ خَـٰلِدًا فِيهَا وَغَضِبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَعَنَهُۥ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُۥ عَذَابًا عَظِيمًا
But whoever kills a believer intentionally - his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally, and Allāh has become angry with him and has cursed him and has prepared for him a great punishment.
يَعِدُهُمْ وَيُمَنِّيهِمْ ۖ وَمَا يَعِدُهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ إِلَّا غُرُورًا
He [i.e., Satan] promises them and arouses desire in them. But Satan does not promise them except delusion.
مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ يُحَرِّفُونَ ٱلْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِۦ وَيَقُولُونَ سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا وَٱسْمَعْ غَيْرَ مُسْمَعٍ وَرَٰعِنَا لَيًّۢا بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ وَطَعْنًا فِى ٱلدِّينِ ۚ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا وَٱسْمَعْ وَٱنظُرْنَا لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ وَأَقْوَمَ وَلَـٰكِن لَّعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
Among the Jews are those who distort words from their [proper] places [i.e., usages] and say, "We hear and disobey" and "Hear but be not heard" and "Rāʿinā," twisting their tongues and defaming the religion. And if they had said [instead], "We hear and obey" and "Wait for us [to understand]," it would have been better for them and more suitable. But Allāh has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not, except for a few.