إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱرْتَدُّوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَدْبَـٰرِهِم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلْهُدَى ۙ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ سَوَّلَ لَهُمْ وَأَمْلَىٰ لَهُمْ 25
Translations
Indeed, those who reverted back [to disbelief] after guidance had become clear to them - Satan enticed them and prolonged hope for them.
Transliteration
Inna alladhīna artaddū 'alá adbārihim min ba'da mā tabayyana lahumu al-hudá ash-shaytānu sawwala lahum wa-amlá lahum
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes those who turn away from guidance after it has been made clear to them, explaining that Satan has made their actions seem appealing (sawwala) and has given them respite (amlá). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to apostates who reject the truth despite its clarity, with Satan beautifying their deviation and prolonging their time in ignorance. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that the Shaytan's role is to embellish falsehood and create false hopes, while ultimate choice and accountability remain with the individual.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Muhammad (a Medinan surah), which addresses the believers regarding those who reject faith and turn back from Islam. The broader context discusses the danger of apostasy and rejection after clear knowledge, likely referencing those from the People of the Book or those who witnessed Islamic miracles yet chose disbelief.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever changes his Islamic religion, then kill him' (Sahih Bukhari 6922). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet warned that Satan's greatest trick is making sin appear beautiful to mankind, which relates directly to the concept of 'sawwala' in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that Satan's primary weapon is making evil appear attractive and creating false hope in worldly gains, but we retain full responsibility for our choices; clarity of guidance demands accountability, and turning away from known truth is among the gravest spiritual dangers. Modern readers should guard their hearts against gradual spiritual deviation by actively reinforcing their connection to Islamic knowledge and resisting the beautification of sin in contemporary contexts.
Related Ayahs
فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَضَرْبَ ٱلرِّقَابِ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَثْخَنتُمُوهُمْ فَشُدُّوا۟ ٱلْوَثَاقَ فَإِمَّا مَنًّۢا بَعْدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَآءً حَتَّىٰ تَضَعَ ٱلْحَرْبُ أَوْزَارَهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ وَلَوْ يَشَآءُ ٱللَّهُ لَٱنتَصَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَلَـٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَا۟ بَعْضَكُم بِبَعْضٍ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَلَن يُضِلَّ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ
So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure [their] bonds, and either [confer] favor afterwards or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens. That [is the command]. And if Allāh had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allāh - never will He waste their deeds.
إِنَّمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ ۚ وَإِن تُؤْمِنُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ يُؤْتِكُمْ أُجُورَكُمْ وَلَا يَسْـَٔلْكُمْ أَمْوَٰلَكُمْ
[This] worldly life is only amusement and diversion. And if you believe and fear Allāh, He will give you your rewards and not ask you for your properties.
۞ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَلَا تُبْطِلُوٓا۟ أَعْمَـٰلَكُمْ
O you who have believed, obey Allāh and obey the Messenger and do not invalidate your deeds.
أَفَمَن كَانَ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ كَمَن زُيِّنَ لَهُۥ سُوٓءُ عَمَلِهِۦ وَٱتَّبَعُوٓا۟ أَهْوَآءَهُم
So is he who is on clear evidence from his Lord like him to whom the evil of his work has been made attractive and they follow their [own] desires?