۞ وَقَيَّضْنَا لَهُمْ قُرَنَآءَ فَزَيَّنُوا۟ لَهُم مَّا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَحَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقَوْلُ فِىٓ أُمَمٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ وَٱلْإِنسِ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ خَـٰسِرِينَ 25
Translations
And We appointed for them companions who made attractive to them what was before them and what was behind them [of sin], and the word [i.e., decree] has come into effect upon them among nations which had passed on before them of jinn and men. Indeed, they [all] were losers.
Transliteration
Wa-qayyad-na la-hum qurna-a fa-zay-yanu la-hum ma bayna ay-di-him wa-ma khalfa-hum wa-haqqa alayhim al-qawlu fi umamin qad khalat min qabli-him min al-jinni wa-al-insi inna-hum kanu khasirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah appointed for those who reject faith evil companions (from jinn and humans) who adorn and beautify their sins and false beliefs, making both their present state and future consequences appear attractive to them. This causes the divine decree of punishment to be rightfully executed upon them, just as it was upon previous nations of both jinn and mankind who similarly rejected guidance. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, these 'companions' (qurna) are satanic influences that lead the disbelievers deeper into error by making evil seem appealing.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Fussilat (a Meccan chapter) which addresses the rejection of the Quran and divine guidance. It follows passages about those who turn away from Allah's signs and speaks to the spiritual reality that persistent rejection attracts evil influences that further entrench one in misguidance. The context emphasizes the justice and inevitability of divine punishment for those who refuse truth.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Every soul will taste death, and We will test you with evil and with good as a trial' (Quran 21:35). Related hadith: Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet said, 'When a man dies, his deeds end except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge that benefits others, or a righteous son who prays for him' (Sahih Muslim) - illustrating how choices in life determine one's spiritual companions and final state.
Themes
Key Lesson
Those who persistently reject truth should recognize that their inclination toward evil is not merely personal weakness but may reflect deeper spiritual abandonment—when we turn from guidance, we become susceptible to influences that make sin attractive. The remedy is sincere repentance and seeking righteous company, for our associations and companions profoundly shape our spiritual trajectory.
Related Ayahs
وَقَضَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَتُفْسِدُنَّ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَلَتَعْلُنَّ عُلُوًّا كَبِيرًا
And We conveyed to the Children of Israel in the Scripture that, "You will surely cause corruption on the earth twice, and you will surely reach [a degree of] great haughtiness."
فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُۥ
So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it,
وَيَسْتَفْتُونَكَ فِى ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِيهِنَّ وَمَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ فِى يَتَـٰمَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ ٱلَّـٰتِى لَا تُؤْتُونَهُنَّ مَا كُتِبَ لَهُنَّ وَتَرْغَبُونَ أَن تَنكِحُوهُنَّ وَٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ وَأَن تَقُومُوا۟ لِلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمًا
And they request from you, [O Muḥammad], a [legal] ruling concerning women. Say, "Allāh gives you a ruling about them and [about] what has been recited to you in the Book concerning the orphan girls to whom you do not give what is decreed for them - and [yet] you desire to marry them - and concerning the oppressed among children and that you maintain for orphans [their rights] in justice." And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing of it.
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ نُهُوا۟ عَنِ ٱلنَّجْوَىٰ ثُمَّ يَعُودُونَ لِمَا نُهُوا۟ عَنْهُ وَيَتَنَـٰجَوْنَ بِٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ وَمَعْصِيَتِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَإِذَا جَآءُوكَ حَيَّوْكَ بِمَا لَمْ يُحَيِّكَ بِهِ ٱللَّهُ وَيَقُولُونَ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَوْلَا يُعَذِّبُنَا ٱللَّهُ بِمَا نَقُولُ ۚ حَسْبُهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ يَصْلَوْنَهَا ۖ فَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
Have you not considered those who were forbidden from private conversation [i.e., ridicule and conspiracy] and then return to that which they were forbidden and converse among themselves about sin and aggression and disobedience to the Messenger? And when they come to you, they greet you with that [word] by which Allāh does not greet you and say among themselves, "Why does Allāh not punish us for what we say?" Sufficient for them is Hell, which they will [enter to] burn, and wretched is the destination.