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
إِنَّمَا ٱلتَّوْبَةُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ لِلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلسُّوٓءَ بِجَهَـٰلَةٍ ثُمَّ يَتُوبُونَ مِن قَرِيبٍ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
The repentance accepted by Allāh is only for those who do wrong in ignorance [or carelessness] and then repent soon [after]. It is those to whom Allāh will turn in forgiveness, and Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise.
يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَكُمْ وَيَهْدِيَكُمْ سُنَنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَيَتُوبَ عَلَيْكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
Allāh wants to make clear to you [the lawful from the unlawful] and guide you to the [good] practices of those before you and to accept your repentance. And Allāh is Knowing and Wise.
وَدُّوا۟ لَوْ تَكْفُرُونَ كَمَا كَفَرُوا۟ فَتَكُونُونَ سَوَآءً ۖ فَلَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءَ حَتَّىٰ يُهَاجِرُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَخُذُوهُمْ وَٱقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا
They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allāh. But if they turn away [i.e., refuse], then seize them and kill them [for their betrayal] wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper,
وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ عُدْوَٰنًا وَظُلْمًا فَسَوْفَ نُصْلِيهِ نَارًا ۚ وَكَانَ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرًا
And whoever does that in aggression and injustice - then We will drive him into a Fire. And that, for Allāh, is [always] easy.