وَلَقَدْ صَدَّقَ عَلَيْهِمْ إِبْلِيسُ ظَنَّهُۥ فَٱتَّبَعُوهُ إِلَّا فَرِيقًا مِّنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ 20
Translations
And Iblees had already confirmed through them his assumption, so they followed him, except for a party of believers.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad saddaqa 'alayhim Iblis zannahu fa-ttaba'uh illa fariqan min al-mu'minin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that Iblis (Satan) confirmed his assumption/suspicion about humanity by leading them astray, and they followed him except for a group of believers. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that Iblis's 'zann' (assumption) refers to his belief that most humans would disobey Allah and follow him, which was subsequently proven true by the actions of those who rejected guidance. The exception of the believers demonstrates Allah's mercy in preserving a group steadfast in faith despite Satan's relentless efforts.
Revelation Context
Surah Saba is a Meccan chapter addressing the disbelievers of Mecca. This ayah contextualizes the broader struggle between guidance and misguidance, emphasizing how Satan's claims about human weakness are validated in those who reject the message, while the believers remain protected by their adherence to faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Iblis places his throne on water and sends out his troops; the closest to him in rank are those who cause the most fitnah (discord)' (Sahih Muslim 2813). Also relevant is the hadith about the covenant taken from the children of Adam regarding tawhid (Islamic Monotheism) (Surah 7:172), illustrating humanity's innate capacity to resist Satan's deception.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must recognize that Satan's influence is real and his temptations effective on those who are heedless, yet faith in Allah and adherence to His guidance provides genuine protection. The existence of steadfast believers in every generation proves that Satan's dominion is limited and that resistance to evil is always possible through sincere faith.
Related Ayahs
وَلِسُلَيْمَـٰنَ ٱلرِّيحَ غُدُوُّهَا شَهْرٌ وَرَوَاحُهَا شَهْرٌ ۖ وَأَسَلْنَا لَهُۥ عَيْنَ ٱلْقِطْرِ ۖ وَمِنَ ٱلْجِنِّ مَن يَعْمَلُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِۦ ۖ وَمَن يَزِغْ مِنْهُمْ عَنْ أَمْرِنَا نُذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ
And to Solomon [We subjected] the wind - its morning [journey was that of] a month - and its afternoon [journey was that of] a month, and We made flow for him a spring of [liquid] copper. And among the jinn were those who worked for him by the permission of his Lord. And whoever deviated among them from Our command - We will make him taste of the punishment of the Blaze.
وَجَعَلْنَا بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ ٱلْقُرَى ٱلَّتِى بَـٰرَكْنَا فِيهَا قُرًى ظَـٰهِرَةً وَقَدَّرْنَا فِيهَا ٱلسَّيْرَ ۖ سِيرُوا۟ فِيهَا لَيَالِىَ وَأَيَّامًا ءَامِنِينَ
And We placed between them and the cities which We had blessed [many] visible cities. And We determined between them the [distances of] journey, [saying], "Travel between them by night or by day in safety."
لِّيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ
That He may reward those who believe and do righteous deeds. Those will have forgiveness and noble provision.
فَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا بَـٰعِدْ بَيْنَ أَسْفَارِنَا وَظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ فَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمْ أَحَادِيثَ وَمَزَّقْنَـٰهُمْ كُلَّ مُمَزَّقٍ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ
But [insolently] they said, "Our Lord, lengthen the distance between our journeys," and wronged themselves, so We made them narrations and dispersed them in total dispersion. Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.