۞ 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
مَتَـٰعٌ قَلِيلٌ ثُمَّ مَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۚ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمِهَادُ
[It is but] a small enjoyment; then their [final] refuge is Hell, and wretched is the resting place.
نَزَّاعَةً لِّلشَّوَىٰ
A remover of exteriors.
أَفَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى كَفَرَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَقَالَ لَأُوتَيَنَّ مَالًا وَوَلَدًا
Then, have you seen he who disbelieved in Our verses and said, "I will surely be given wealth and children [in the next life]"?
ثُمَّ أَنتُمْ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ تَقْتُلُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَتُخْرِجُونَ فَرِيقًا مِّنكُم مِّن دِيَـٰرِهِمْ تَظَـٰهَرُونَ عَلَيْهِم بِٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ وَإِن يَأْتُوكُمْ أُسَـٰرَىٰ تُفَـٰدُوهُمْ وَهُوَ مُحَرَّمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ إِخْرَاجُهُمْ ۚ أَفَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِبَعْضِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَتَكْفُرُونَ بِبَعْضٍ ۚ فَمَا جَزَآءُ مَن يَفْعَلُ ذَٰلِكَ مِنكُمْ إِلَّا خِزْىٌ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰٓ أَشَدِّ ٱلْعَذَابِ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
Then, you are those [same ones who are] killing one another and evicting a party of your people from their homes, cooperating against them in sin and aggression. And if they come to you as captives, you ransom them, although their eviction was forbidden to you. So do you believe in part of the Scripture and disbelieve in part? Then what is the recompense for those who do that among you except disgrace in worldly life; and on the Day of Resurrection they will be sent back to the severest of punishment. And Allāh is not unaware of what you do.