فَوَسْوَسَ إِلَيْهِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ قَالَ يَـٰٓـَٔادَمُ هَلْ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَىٰ شَجَرَةِ ٱلْخُلْدِ وَمُلْكٍ لَّا يَبْلَىٰ 120
Translations
Then Satan whispered to him; he said, "O Adam, shall I direct you to the tree of eternity and possession that will not deteriorate?"
Transliteration
Fawasawasa ilayhi ash-shaytanu qala ya adamu hal aduллuka ala shajarati al-khuldi wa mulkin la yabla
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Devil whispered to Adam, tempting him with the promise of eternal life and imperishable dominion through eating from the forbidden tree. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this whisper represents Satan's cunning method of deception—appealing to human desires for immortality and power rather than commanding disobedience directly. The phrase 'mulk la yabla' (dominion that does not perish) underscores how Satan exploits the human longing for permanence and status to lead astray.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within Surah Taha's detailed narrative of Adam and Eve's trial in Paradise (20:115-121), a Meccan surah revealed to the Prophet Muhammad as a reminder of humanity's susceptibility to temptation and Satan's methods. The broader context illustrates the test of obedience that all humans face, establishing the foundational Islamic principle that Satan works through whispers and deception rather than force.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Verily, Satan comes to one of you and says: Who created this? Who created that? Until he says: Who created your Lord?' (Sahih Bukhari 3276). Additionally, Jibril informed the Prophet that Satan runs in the veins of the human like blood flows, emphasizing Satan's methods of subtle influence (Sahih Muslim 2175).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Satan exploits our deepest desires—for immortality, power, and status—to lead us away from Allah's guidance; therefore, awareness of his methods and steadfast adherence to Divine commands are essential safeguards against spiritual misguidance in our daily lives.