۞ 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
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.
إِنَّمَا ٱلسَّبِيلُ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَظْلِمُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ وَيَبْغُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
The cause is only against the ones who wrong the people and tyrannize upon the earth without right. Those will have a painful punishment.
قَالَ إِنَّ فِيهَا لُوطًا ۚ قَالُوا۟ نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن فِيهَا ۖ لَنُنَجِّيَنَّهُۥ وَأَهْلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱمْرَأَتَهُۥ كَانَتْ مِنَ ٱلْغَـٰبِرِينَ
[Abraham] said, "Indeed, within it is Lot." They said, "We are more knowing of who is within it. We will surely save him and his family, except his wife. She is to be of those who remain behind."
وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ إِلَّا لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِۦ ۖ وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا
And there is none from the People of the Scripture but that he will surely believe in him [i.e., Jesus] before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection he will be against them a witness.