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
۞ وَمَن يَقُلْ مِنْهُمْ إِنِّىٓ إِلَـٰهٌ مِّن دُونِهِۦ فَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِيهِ جَهَنَّمَ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
And whoever of them should say, "Indeed, I am a god besides Him" - that one We would recompense with Hell. Thus do We recompense the wrongdoers.
مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلْعِزَّةَ فَلِلَّهِ ٱلْعِزَّةُ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِلَيْهِ يَصْعَدُ ٱلْكَلِمُ ٱلطَّيِّبُ وَٱلْعَمَلُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُ يَرْفَعُهُۥ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَمْكُرُونَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ ۖ وَمَكْرُ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُوَ يَبُورُ
Whoever desires honor [through power] - then to Allāh belongs all honor. To Him ascends good speech, and righteous work raises it. But they who plot evil deeds will have a severe punishment, and the plotting of those - it will perish.
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱشْتَرَوُا۟ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۖ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
Those are the ones who have bought the life of this world [in exchange] for the Hereafter, so the punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be aided.
مَا كَانَ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ أَن يَعْمُرُوا۟ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ شَـٰهِدِينَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِم بِٱلْكُفْرِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ وَفِى ٱلنَّارِ هُمْ خَـٰلِدُونَ
It is not for the polytheists to maintain the mosques of Allāh [while] witnessing against themselves with disbelief. [For] those, their deeds have become worthless, and in the Fire they will abide eternally.