Tafsir & Commentary
The Poets (الشعراء) · Meccan
إِنَّهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّمْعِ لَمَعْزُولُونَ212
26:212
Translation — Sahih International
Indeed they, from [its] hearing, are removed.
Transliteration
Innahum 'anis-sam'i lama'zulun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that the devils are prevented from listening to the heavenly council (Lauh al-Mahfuz) and divine revelations. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse affirms that while the jinn may attempt to eavesdrop on divine matters, Allah has blocked them from accessing true revelation, allowing only glimpses that they often distort when reporting to their human allies. This protection ensures the purity and exclusivity of divine knowledge.
Revelation Context (Asbab al-Nuzul)
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which addresses accusations against the Prophet Muhammad regarding the Quran's origin. The verse specifically refutes claims that the Quran comes from satanic sources by explaining that devils cannot access divine revelation due to their exclusion from the heavenly realm. This is part of the broader Meccan discourse defending the authenticity of the Quranic message.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3286): The Prophet Muhammad explained that the jinn listen to the conversations of the angels and then mix truth with falsehood in their reports to fortune-tellers and soothsayers. Also relevant: Surah Al-Mulk (67:5) and Surah As-Saffat (37:6-10) which discuss the guarding of the heavens against eavesdropping jinn.
Themes
Key Lessons
This ayah reassures believers that the Quran's message is purely divine and protected from satanic corruption, encouraging trust in its authenticity. It also reminds us that despite evil's attempts to distort truth, Allah maintains absolute sovereignty over knowledge and revelation.