Shaytan (also spelled Sahitan) is the Arabic term for "Satan" or "the Devil" in Islam. In Islamic theology, Shaytan is a supernatural being, a jinn, who rebelled against God (Allah). His main agenda is to lead humans astray, away from the worship and obedience of Allah. This is based on the Islamic narrative of the creation of humanity, where God created the first human, Adam, and ordered all the angels to bow to him. Shaytan, who was a jinn, refused to bow, citing his superiority over Adam, as he was created from smokeless fire, while Adam was created from clay. As a result, Shaytan was cast out of Paradise.
At that time, Shaytan confronted the God Almighty and promised him that: "Because You have sent me astray, I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You].'" Surah Al-A'raf (7:16-17)
* Also read our post: Beware: Procrastination is Satanic
His main role is as an antagonist in the Qur'an, where he attempts to tempt humans into disobedience. He uses various strategies, such as whispering evil thoughts, instilling doubt, and enticing people to sin. He is seen as the eternal enemy of humanity and is particularly concerned with leading people into wrongdoing by encouraging pride, arrogance, and desires that go against the teachings of Islam.
Shaytan's agenda in Islam is:
- To divert humans from worshiping Allah:
- He tries to distract believers from fulfilling their purpose of worship and submission to God.
- Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught his followers to seek refuge from Satan’s evil whispers, particularly before beginning certain important acts like prayer, eating, or entering the home.
- In one of his Hadiths, the revered Prophet ﷺ cautioned: "When one of you enters his house, let him say: 'Bismillah' (In the name of Allah), for when he says it, Satan will not enter with him." (Sahih Muslim)
- He also recommended reciting certain supplications for protection from Satan, such as saying "A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan) before various activities.
- To tempt and incite people to disobey Allah: This is the first thing Satan did and enticed Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit by enticing them with sweet flavored words as mentioned in Qur'an: "Then Shaytan whispered to them to reveal to them that which was concealed from them of their private parts and said, 'Your Lord did not forbid you this tree except that you become angels or become of the immortals.'" Surah Al-A'raf (7:20-22). Deceived by his explanation of the Divine order, both Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, resulting in their fall from grace and ouster from the Paradise to earth.
- To spread corruption and evil: Shaytan encourages immoral behavior, lies, and deception.
- To instill doubt: He tempts people with doubt about their faith or Allah’s commands, leading them to question what is right and wrong.
- To weaken faith: Shaytan aims to make people lose their connection to Allah, tempting them to neglect their religious duties like prayer, fasting, and charity. This is mentioned in Qur'an: "Satan has overcome them and forgotten the remembrance of Allah. Those are the party of Satan. Verily, it is the party of Satan that will be the losers." Surah Al-Mujadila (58:19)
- To instill pride and arrogance among people:
- Satan’s refusal to bow to Adam was a result of his arrogance and pride. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned against the dangers of pride, which is a trait that Satan tries to instill in humans.
- Prophet Muhammad, ﷺ, once said: "No one who has an atom's-weight of pride in his heart will enter Paradise." (Sahih Muslim) This warning was a reminder to Muslims to avoid arrogance, as it is one of Satan’s primary tools to lead people astray.
The Ultimate Satanic Betrayal
While in this world, Shaytan is always enticing people, specially believers, away from the worship of Allah and into a life of lewdness and making them sinful and thus liable for Divine admonishment and chastisement. Having deceived people in this world, the bombshell awaits in the afterlife when Shaytan will simply shrug his shoulders when seeing people being punished for a way of life he enticed people into. On that day, he will simple absolve him from the blame of deceiving people.
This is exactly what has been mentioned in Qur'an: "And Shaytan will say when the matter has been decided, 'Indeed, Allah had promised you the promise of truth, and I promised you, but I betrayed you. And I had no authority over you except that I invited you, and you responded to me. So do not blame me, but blame yourselves.'" Surah Ibrahim (14:22)
In summary, Shaytan is depicted in the Qur'an as a deceiver, misleader, and enemy of humanity. His influence is presented as a constant challenge for believers, who are urged to seek protection from his whispers and to remain steadfast in their faith and obedience to Allah. The Qur'an emphasizes that humans have the free will to resist Shaytan's temptations by turning to Allah for guidance and strength.
How to Repel Satan’s Influence?
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized that performing righteous actions, such as prayer, charity, and recitation of the Qur'an, helps protect against Satan’s influence.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "When the son of Adam recites a verse of prostration and prostrates, Satan withdraws, weeping, and says: 'Woe to me! The son of Adam was commanded to prostrate, and he prostrated, so he will have Paradise. But I was commanded to prostrate, and I refused, so I will have Hell.'" (Sahih Muslim)
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized the importance of being aware of Satan's presence and influence in everyday life. His teachings highlight the constant battle between good and evil, encouraging believers to be vigilant, seek protection through supplication, and act righteously to guard themselves against the whispers and traps of Satan. The ultimate defense against Satan, as emphasized by the Prophet, is complete reliance on Allah and striving to live a life of sincerity, humility, and worship.
While many consider them too weak against the Satanic machinations, it must be understood that Shaytan's power is limited in Islam; he cannot force anyone to do anything but can only suggest and tempt. Muslims are taught to seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan’s whispers and to be vigilant against his attempts to lead them astray. One of the most common phrases used by Muslims to protect themselves from Shaytan’s influence is "A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim - أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم" ("I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed devil").
This in brief is the true nature of ouster of Shaytan from the Divine court and descent to earth. You may now listen to a very informative lecture and an incredible explanation of Shaytan by Ustadh Nauman Ali Khan:
About Nouman Ali Khan: Born to a Pakistani family, Nouman Ali Khan is an American Muslim speaker and Arabic instructor who founded the Bayyinah Institute for Arabic and Qur’anic Studies, after serving as an instructor of Arabic at Nassau Community College. He has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre of Jordan.
Let us listen to this video again and again and really understand how Allah wants us to be His servants and how we should always be looking towards him, and no one else, for our worldly needs. If we can really Ingrid the meaning of this verse into ourselves, we will never go astray or be misled by worldly desires or following the priests and imams or asking from the dead saints.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is our duty to convey only to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the video above are those of the scholar concerned. The reader may or may not agree with the view owing to their own perception. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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