أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَا ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينَ عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ تَؤُزُّهُمْ أَزًّا 83
Translations
Do you not see that We have sent the devils upon the disbelievers, inciting them [to evil] with [constant] incitement?
Transliteration
Alam tara anna arsalna ash-shayatina ala al-kafirina tazuzuhum azza
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah sends the devils upon the disbelievers to incite and urge them towards sin and rebellion. The word 'tazuzz' (تؤز) means to drive, incite, or instigate with persistence. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this is not compulsion but rather the devils tempting and encouraging the disbelievers in their disbelief and sinful deeds, which is a form of divine justice—allowing those who reject truth to be further led astray by their chosen companions among the jinn.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah of Maryam, which deals with themes of monotheism, prophethood, and the fate of believers and disbelievers. The broader context discusses how those who reject Allah's signs will face consequences, with this ayah illustrating one such consequence: being abandoned to their own desires and the whispers of Satan, which is itself a punishment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Verily, Satan circulates in the son of Adam like blood circulates in the body' (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim). Additionally, 'When one of you becomes angry, let him remain silent,' which relates to resisting the satanic incitement described in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that Allah allows the devils to tempt those who persistently reject truth as a form of justice and abandonment—not as oppression. For believers, it emphasizes the importance of seeking refuge in Allah from satanic whispers through remembrance of Allah (dhikr) and obedience to His commands, as these are our protection against demonic influence.
Related Ayahs
لِّلطَّـٰغِينَ مَـَٔابًا
For the transgressors, a place of return,
قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّآ أُرْسِلْنَآ إِلَىٰ قَوْمٍ مُّجْرِمِينَ
They said, "Indeed, we have been sent to a people of criminals
وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا يَزْنُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَامًا
And those who do not invoke with Allāh another deity or kill the soul which Allāh has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى مَنْ أَسْرَفَ وَلَمْ يُؤْمِنۢ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِۦ ۚ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَشَدُّ وَأَبْقَىٰٓ
And thus do We recompense he who transgressed and did not believe in the signs of his Lord. And the punishment of the Hereafter is more severe and more enduring.