٢١٢. عَنْ عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«إِنَّ لِلشَّيْطَانِ لَمَّةً بِابْنِ آدَمَ وَلِلْمَلَكِ لَمَّةً فَأَمَّا لَمَّةُ الشَّيْطَانِ فَإِيعَادٌ بِالشَّرِّ وَتَكْذِيبٌ بِالْحَقِّ وَأَمَّا لَمَّةُ الْمَلَكِ فَإِيعَادٌ بِالْخَيْرِ وَتَصْدِيقٌ بِالْحَقِّ فَمَنْ وَجَدَ ذٰلِكَ فَلْيَعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ مِنَ اللّٰهِ فَلْيَحْمَدِ اللّٰهَ وَمَنْ وَجَدَ الْأُخْرَى فَلْيَتَعَوَّذْ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ» ثُمَّ قَرَأَ:
(اَلشَّيْطَانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الْفَقْرَ وَيَاْمُرُكُمْ بِالْفَحْشَاۤءِ).
212. Abdullah b. Mas’ud (r.a.) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“Surely Satan and angels can have a guiding influence upon the hearts of humans. Satan’s influence is guiding towards the wrong deeds and to deny the truth and the angels’ influence is towards the good deeds and to acknowledge the truth. Those who feel the influence towards the good deeds should acknowledge that this is from Allah and thank Him. Those who sense a feeling that encourages him towards wrong deeds should take refuge in Almighty Allah from the evils of the expelled Satan.”
Then the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) recited the following verse from the Noble Qur’an:
“The Evil one threatens you with poverty and bids you to conduct unseemly.” (Al-Baqarah; 2:268) (Tirmidhi, Tafsir, 2/2988)
٢١٣. عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا أَنَّ صَفِيَّةَ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَخْبَرَتْهُ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ وَعِنْدَهُ أَزْوَاجُهُ فَرُحْنَ فَقَالَ لِصَفِيَّةَ بِنْتِ حُيَيٍّ:
«لَا تَعْجَلِي حَتَّى أَنْصَرِفَ مَعَكِ» وَكَانَ بَيْتُهَا فِي دَارِ أُسَامَةَ فَخَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَعَهَا فَلَقِيَهُ رَجُلَانِ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَنَظَرَا إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ أَجَازَا وَقَالَ لَهُمَا النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«تَعَالَيَا إِنَّهَا صَفِيَّةُ بِنْتُ حُيَيٍّ» قَالَا:
«سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ يَا رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ» قَالَ:
«إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَجْرِي مِنَ الْإِنْسَانِ مَجْرَى الدَّمِ وَإِنِّي خَشِيتُ أَنْ يُلْقِيَ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمَا شَيْئًا».
213. Ali b. al-Husain narrated from Safiya (r.anha), the respected wife of the Prophet:
The wives of the Prophet were with him in the mosque (while he was in retreat (itikaf)) and after a while they wanted to depart. The Prophet (pbuh) said to Safiya bint Huyai:
“Don’t hurry, for I shall accompany you.”
That is because her home was a little far and it was later given to Usama b. Zaid. The Prophet (pbuh) went out to accompany her. In the meantime two Ansari men met him and they looked at the Prophet and (upon seeing that his family was with him) passed by quickly.
The Prophet said to them:
“Come here. She is (my wife) Safiya bint Huyai.”
They replied:
“Subhan Allah, (How dare we think of evil) O Allah’s Apostle! (We never expect anything bad from you).”
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“Satan circulates in the human being as blood circulates in the body, and I was afraid lest Satan might insert an evil thought in your minds.” (Bukhari, I’tikaf, 11. Also see Bukhari, Bad’u’l-halk, 11; Ahkam, 21; Muslim, Salam, 23-25; Abu Dawud, Sawm, 79; Adab, 81; Ibn Majah, Siyam, 65)
٢١٤. عَنْ عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: خَطَّ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ خَطًّا بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ:
«هٰذَا سَبِيلُ اللّٰهِ مُسْتَقِيمًا» قَالَ ثُمَّ خَطَّ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَشِمَالِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ:
«هٰذِهِ السُّبُلُ وَلَيْسَ مِنْهَا سَبِيلٌ إِلَّا عَلَيْهِ شَيْطَانٌ يَدْعُو إِلَيْهِ» ثُمَّ قَرَأَ:
(وَاَنَّ هٰذَا صِرَاط۪ي مُسْتَق۪يمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَنْ سَب۪يلِه۪ ذٰلِكُمْ وَصّٰيكُمْ بِه۪ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ).
214. Abdullah b. Mas’ud (r.a.) said:
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) drew a line and said:
“This is the true (straight) path of Allah.”
Then he drew other lines to the left and to the right sides of the first one and said:
“These are some other paths. There is Satan on each one of these paths to call you to follow these paths.”
Then he recited the following verse of Allah the Almighty:
“Verily, this is My way, leading straight: follow it: follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from His (great) path: thus He commands you that you may be righteous.” (Al-An‘am; 6:153) (Ahmad, I, 465, 435; III, 397. Also see Ibn Majah, Muqaddima, 1; Darimi, Muqaddima, 23; Hakim, II, 349/3241)
٢١٥. عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ:
«إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ أَدْبَرَ الشَّيْطَانُ لَهُ ضُرَاطٌ حَتَّى لَا يَسْمَعَ التَّأْذِينَ فَإِذَا قُضِيَ التَّأْذِينُ أَقْبَلَ حَتَّى إِذَا ثُوِّبَ بِالصَّلَاةِ أَدْبَرَ حَتَّى إِذَا قُضِيَ التَّثْوِيبُ أَقْبَلَ حَتَّى يَخْطُرَ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَنَفْسِهِ يَقُولُ لَهُ: اذْكُرْ كَذَا وَاذْكُرْ كَذَا لِمَا لَمْ يَكُنْ يَذْكُرُ مِنْ قَبْلُ حَتَّى يَظَلَّ الرَّجُلُ مَا يَدْرِي كَمْ صَلَّى».
215. Abu Huraira (r.a.) reported the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) as saying:
“When the call to prayer is made, Satan runs back and breaks wind so as not to hear the call being made, and when the call is finished. He turns round when Iqama is proclaimed he turns his back, and when it is finished he turns round to distract a man, saying: Remember such and such; remember such and such, referring to something the man did not have in his mind, with the result that he does not know how much he has prayed.” (Muslim, Salah, 19. Also see Bukhari, Adhan, 4; Amal fi al-Salat, 18; Sahw, 6; Bad’ al-khalk, 11; Abu Dawud, Salat, 31; Nasai, Adhan, 20, 30)
٢١٦. عَنْ جَابِرٍ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ:
«إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ قَدْ أَيِسَ أَنْ يَعْبُدَهُ الْمُصَلُّونَ فِي جَزِيرَةِ الْعَرَبِ وَلٰكِنْ فِي التَّحْرِيشِ بَيْنَهُمْ».
216. Jabir (r.a.) reported: I heard the Prophet (pbuh) saying:
“Satan abandoned hope that Muslims in the Arabian Peninsula to worship him. However, Satan will work on to set them against each other and rift them.” (Muslim, Munafiqin, 65. Also see. Tirmidhi, Birr, 25/1937; Fitan, 2/2159; Ahmad, III, 313, 354, 384)
٢١٧. عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: كُنَّا إِذَا حَضَرْنَا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ طَعَامًا لَمْ نَضَعْ أَيْدِيَنَا حَتَّى يَبْدَأَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَيَضَعَ يَدَهُ وَإِنَّا حَضَرْنَا مَعَهُ مَرَّةً طَعَامًا فَجَاءَتْ جَارِيَةٌ كَأَنَّهَا تُدْفَعُ فَذَهَبَتْ لِتَضَعَ يَدَهَا فِي الطَّعَامِ فَأَخَذَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِيَدِهَا ثُمَّ جَاءَ أَعْرَابِيٌّ كَأَنَّمَا يُدْفَعُ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَسْتَحِلُّ الطَّعَامَ أَنْ لَا يُذْكَرَ اسْمُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ وَإِنَّهُ جَاءَ بِهٰذِهِ الْجَارِيَةِ لِيَسْتَحِلَّ بِهَا فَأَخَذْتُ بِيَدِهَا فَجَاءَ بِهٰذَا الْأَعْرَابِيِّ لِيَسْتَحِلَّ بِهِ فَأَخَذْتُ بِيَدِهِ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ إِنَّ يَدَهُ فِي يَدِي مَعَ يَدِهَا».
217. Hudhaifa (r.a.) reported:
When we attended a dinner along with the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) we would not lay our hands on the food until Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) had laid his hand and commenced eating (the food). Once we went with him to a dinner when a girl came in a rush as it someone had been pursuing her. She was about to lay her hand on the food, when Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) caught her hand. Then a desert Arab came there (in a rush) as if someone had been pursuing him. He (the Holy Prophet) caught his hand; and then Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:
“Satan considers that food lawful on which Allah’s name is not mentioned. He had brought this girl so that the food might be made lawful for him and I caught her hand. And he had brought a desert Arab so that (the food) might be lawful for him. So I caught his hand. By Allah, in Whose hand is my life, it was (Satan’s) hand that was in my hand along with her hand.” (Muslim, Kitab Al-Ashriba, 102. Also see Abu Dawud, At`ima, 15/3766; Ahmad, V, 382, 397; Hakim, IV, 121/7088)
Explanations:
When Almighty Allah created the man and wanted angels to prostrate to him, all of the angels followed the command of Allah except the arrogant Satan and “He said, “Shall I bow down to one whom Thou didst create from clay?” (Al-Isra; 17:61)
Satan made a wrong comparison by thinking that he himself is created from fire but man is created from clay and therefore he thought that he is superior to man. (Al-Araf; 7:12)
Since Allah the Almighty does not like arrogance, He expelled Satan from His mercy and His Paradise. Allah degraded Satan as punishment comparable to Satan’s arrogance. Allah let Satan know that He will curse him until the Day of Judgment.
Satan who rebelled due to his arrogance and pride did not think of asking for forgiveness due to the same reason and asked for some time from Allah. He dreamed of saving himself from death by living until the Day of Resurrection. Allah the Almighty gave him some time until the Day of Judgment as part of the testing in this world. Allah wished to distinguish and reveal those who believe in the hereafter and those who suspect. (Al-Saba; 34:21)
Upon this, Satan swore that he will trick up sins and try everything to misguide humans and approach them from everywhere:
“Then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their left: Nor will you find, in most of them, gratitude (for your mercies).” (Al-Araf; 7:17)
However, He let us know that the servants who found salvation are exceptions since Satan’s power is not enough for them.
Almighty Allah many times warned Satan and his followers by scaring them with Hell. (See Al-Araf; 7:11-18; Al-Hijr; 15:30-44; Sad; 38:71-85)
Later, our Almighty Lord placed the first human Adam and our mother Eve to Paradise. Allah let them take from all of the blessings as much as they want but He forbade them to approach to one tree. At that moment, the testing of mankind has started. Satan got took action and got closer to them with many tricks. Satan took many vows, told lies, made false promises, said “I want good for you,” gave advices, misguided them, and finally deceived them.
This is told in verses of the Noble Qur’an as:
“Then began Satan to whisper suggestions to them, bringing openly before their minds all their shame that was hidden from them (before): he said: “Your Lord only forbade you this tree, lest you should become angels or such beings as live forever.” And he swore to them both, that he was their sincere adviser. So by deceit he brought about their fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them: “Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an avowed enemy unto you?”“ (Al-Araf; 7:20-22)
Satan deceived man by taking advantage of his greed and desire to be eternal. Therefore, we must be careful about these feelings.
When they rose against the Divine Command by following Satan, Allah the Almighty ordered them out of His Paradise and sent them to Earth, the world of difficulties, as enemies to each other. Therefore, the testing and the troubles of humankind have started. (Al-Baqarah; 2:36, Al-Araf; 7:24)
Allah tells this happening to humans for us to take a lesson and warns us as:
“Behold! We said to the angels, “Bow down to Adam”: They bowed down except Iblis. He was one of the Jinns, and he broke the Command of his Lord. Will you then take him and his progeny as protectors rather than Me? And they are enemies to you! Evil would be the exchange for the wrong-doers!” (Al-Kahf; 18:50)
“O you Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you, in the same manner as He got your parents out of the Garden…” (Al-Araf; 7:27)
“O people! Eat of what is on earth, Lawful and good; and do not follow the footsteps of the evil one, for he is to you an avowed enemy.” (Al-Baqarah; 2:168)
“Whoever, forsaking Allah, takes Satan for a friend, hath of a surety suffered a loss that is manifest. Satan makes them promises, and creates in them false desires; but Satan’s promises are nothing but deception.” (An-Nisa; 4:119-120)
“He did lead me astray from the Message (of Allah) after it had come to me! Ah! The Evil One is but a traitor to man!” (Al-Furqan; 25:29)
“About the (Evil One) it is decreed that whoever turns to him for friendship, him will he lead astray, and he will guide him to the Penalty of the Fire.” (Al-Hajj; 22:4)
Allah the Exalted talks about the intentions and the tricks of Satan in the Qur’an and explains them in detail, and He asks His servants:
“…What! Would you then take him and his offspring for friends rather than Me, and they are your enemies? Evil is (this) change for the unjust.” (Kahf; 18:50)
After all these warnings of our Almighty Lord, it would be expected that man would use his intelligence and be aware of the tricks of Satan. It would be expected that he would not be fooled by the suggestions of Satan and would not follow his orders. It would be wished that he would notice the tricks and traps of Satan soon and save both himself and his brothers. However, it did not happen. Most humans followed their eternal enemy despite of all these warnings. They got be fooled by the easy traps of Satan and followed him step by step. There were even times where people got more evil than Satan himself. They even left Satan open-mouthed with astonishment and got away from them by making Satan say “I am far from you, I am afraid of Allah the Lord of all universes.” (Al-Hashr; 59:16) (Al-Anfal; 8:48)
Almighty Allah reproaches His servants as:
“And on them did Satan prove true his idea, and they followed him, all but a party that believed. But he had no authority over them, except that We might test the man who believes in the Hereafter from him who is in doubt concerning it: and your Lord does watch over all things.” (Al-Saba; 34:20-21)
As a matter of fact, Satan cannot drag people to sinful acts by holding from their hands. He can only whisper into their ears. On the other hand, angels give inspirations to humans, too. As a matter of fact, in our first hadith, it is expressed that both Satan and angels can influence humans and Satan calls them to evil deeds and angels call them to good ones. When someone starts to be carried away by feelings and thoughts that distract him towards the wrong way, he must understand that this comes from Satan and must take refuge in Allah right away.
If a person acts fairly, he can easily sense whether the thoughts inspired in his heart is coming from Satan or the angels. That is because Satan always suggests impudicity, shamelessness and bad manners.[1] On the other hand, angels suggest goodness, benevolence, and preparation for the Hereafter. At this point, a person should try to pass the test by preferring goodness.
On the other hand Satan makes wrong deeds look attractive to people.[2] When the carnal self gets carried away by this attraction, it becomes easier for them to fall into the traps. Therefore it is necessary for a person to be aware of these dangers at all times.
For the suggestions of Satan, Allah advised:
“And if (at any time) an incitement to discord is made to you by the Evil One, seek refuge in Allah. He is the One Who hears and knows all things.” (Al-Fussilat; 41:36)
For this reason, a person should take refuge in Allah from his carnal self, Satan, and from the evil of other creatures by remembering Allah and praying to Him at all times.
In our second hadith, we are informed that Satan circulates in the human being as blood circulates in the body, in other words Satan has a chance to deceive and influence human beings and will work hard to do this and won’t miss any opportunity. However, this does not mean that Satan can do whatever he wishes to do. While Almighty Allah has given him some time and permission for the purpose of testing, He has not given him unlimited power. As a matter of fact, his traps are very weak.[3] However, since carnal self is attracted to sinful acts, people fall into these traps by themselves. Satan only invites to sinful acts by making them look attractive and people usually fall into them knowingly.
In our hadith, it is wished to express that Satan never stays unemployed but whispers suggestions at every chance. For this reason, one must be careful and alert to this humans’ eternal enemy. A believer should avoid deeds that others may misinterpret and be careful not to be present in implacable positions. On the other hand, he himself as well should avoid bringing someone under suspicion due to some acts right away and should not come to conclusion before understanding the truth of the matter. One must explain the truth about the things that can be misinterpreted and should be careful about them. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) taught us a very nice way and method on this issue.
In our third hadith, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) explained Allah’s straight path and other ways that distract people from the true way by drawing lines on the ground. In this way, he not only clearly and explicitly explained the issue to us but he also taught us a very nice method of teaching.
There is only one right way. This way is the way of tawhid (oneness of God) that unifies and does not dispel its followers. The other ways deviate from this way more or less and drag people to wrong directions. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) informed us that there is Satan at the entrance of each of these paths and invites people to these paths.
Satan makes the right way look difficult and unpleasant but the other ways appealing and attractive. All paths except the straight one, various religions, schools of thoughts, innovations, and deviances separate believers from the way of Allah by dividing up them into sects and groups.
Therefore the thing that believers should do is not to be the subjects of their desires but to search for the contentment of the Friend and stay on the right path.
In our forth hadith, we are informed that Satan deceives people about worships and he especially whispers things into our ears while praying. When humans worship Allah, Satan becomes furious, burns with pain and does whatever he can to keep people away from worshipping. If he cannot succeed in his efforts, he tries to empty the inside of the worships. He turns worships into some mere physical acts which are far from awe, love, and sincerity.
In our hadith, it is told that when Satan hears adhan and iqamah, he runs away with a fear and terror.[4] However, since Satan’s job is to misguide people and lead them away from the straight path, he comes back. In the end, by whispering some worldly thoughts into the ears of the person in prayer, he makes the heart of the performer distant from the prayer and even makes him forget how many rakahs (units of a prayer) that he has performed. The solution to this problem is to try not to think about other things and remember that while praying one is in the presence of Allah.
Satan works hard to prevent people from doing any good deed. In this regard the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“There are two qualities or characteristics which will not be returned by any Muslim without his entering Paradise. While they are easy, those who act upon them are few. One should say:
“Glory be to Allah” ten times after every prayer, “Praise be to Allah” ten times and “Allah is Most Great” ten times. That is a hundred and fifty on the tongue, but one thousand and five hundred on the scale. When he goes to bed, he should say:
“Allah is Most Great” thirty-four times, “Praise be to Allah” thirty-three times, and “Glory be to Allah thirty-three times,” for that is a hundred on the tongue and a thousand on the scale. (He said:)
I saw the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) counting them on his hand. The people asked:
“O Messenger of Allah! How is it that while they are easy, those who act upon them are few?”He replied:
“The Devil comes to one of you when he goes to bed and he makes him sleep, before he utters them, and he comes to him while he is engaged in prayer and calls a need to his mind before he utters them.” (Tirmidhi, Daawat, 25/3410; Abu Dawud, Kitab Al-Adab, 99-100/5065; Nasai, Sahw, 90)
In our fifth hadith, we are informed that Satan deceives people in their social lives and sets them against each other and seeds hostility and enmity plants among them.
The word “irritation” used in our hadith means to express all kinds of acts that cause enmity, anarchy, and unrest. These are the works of Satan and his followers. For this reason, one must act consciously when facing any irritation and corruption that is contrary to the religious brotherhood and avoid making Satan happy. That is because every kind of huff, disconnection, enmity, and disorder among Muslims is something evil that Satan wishes for and gets happy about. In these situations one must act carefully and try to sustain the friendship of brotherhood. Those who offend each should make peace with each other no later than three days and everyone should apologize for the mistakes done and Muslims should approach to each other with tolerance.
The following story is very exemplary to explain how Satan works hard to turn two Muslims against each other and what we should do to prevent this:
While the Apostle of Allah (pbuh) was sitting with some of his companions, a man reviled Abu Bakr and insulted him. But Abu Bakr remained silent. He insulted him a second time, but Abu Bakr controlled himself. He insulted him once more and Abu Bakr gave him the response he deserves.
Then the Apostle of Allah (pbuh) got up. Abu Bakr said:
“Were you angry with me, O Apostle of Allah?”
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“No.” Then he continued:
“However, an angel had come down from Heaven and he had been rejecting what he had said to you. When you took revenge, the angel left and a devil came down. I cannot sit in a place where the devil comes.” (Abu Dawud, Kitab Al-Adab, 41/4896)
In our sixth hadith, we are told about how Satan works to deceive people in their daily lives. Satan fights humans with his soldiers and warriors and wants to be partners to them in their eating, drinking, sleeping, entering into their houses, earning money, and raising children.
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said in his another saying:
“The Satan is present with any one of you in everything he does; he is present even when he eats food; so if any one of you drops a mouthful he should pick it up and remove any of the filth on it, and then eat it, and should not leave it for the Satan.” (Muslim, Kitab Al-Ashriba, 133-135)
Satans wish to enter into houses, to spend the night there, to use the blessings of the house, to deceive the people in the house and to make them commit sins. The thing which can prevent this is to recite basmala (or to say “in the name of Allah”) when we are entering into a house. When someone does this, Satan hears it and sadly tells his followers that they cannot enter into this house that night. Also, they wait for the meal time thinking that they can benefit from it. If basmala is not recited before eating in that house, Satans eat from the food and take the blessings of the food away. Not remembering Allah is like a food and nourishment to Satans and causes them to gain power. Then they start to deceive the people of the house. If they recite basmala before eating, Satans would understand that they will not get any benefit from them and leave the house.
Satan wants to be partner in people’s works. This partnership starts when someone leaves the house with some bad intentions and thoughts. This is explained in a noble hadith as:
“There would be two flags in the hands of everyone when they leave their houses; one of them would be in the hands of angel and the other one in the hands of Satan. If the person leaves the house for something that Allah loves and consistent with His contentment, then the angel follows him with the flag until he returns to his house. If the person leaves the house for something that angers Allah, then Satan follows him with the flag in his hands. That person would be under the flag of Satan until he returns his house.” (Ahmad, II, 323)
Almighty Allah informs us about the deceptions of Satan about wealth and children as:
“He said: “Tell me. This is the one whom You have honored above me! If You will but respite me to the Day of Judgment, I will surely bring his descendants under my sway – all but a few!” (Allah) said: “Go your way; if any of them follow you, verily Hell will be the recompense of you (all) an ample recompense. Lead to destruction those whom you can among them, with your (seductive) voice; make assaults on them with your cavalry and your infantry; mutually share with them wealth and children; and make promises to them.” But Satan promises them nothing but deceit. As for My servants, no authority shall you have over them:” Enough is your Lord for a Disposer of affairs.” (Al-Isra; 17:62-65)
Overlooking mistakes and sinful acts by finding excuses in personal, social, and business life is all caused by Satan’s deception and empty promises. People surrender to sinful acts for reasons such as wishing to earn more, to be better, or to advance their condition. However, one must never forget that carnal self and Satan have a finger in these things. A believer should hold on to the rope of sincerity and piety and search to find them in order to gain the protection and the help of Allah.
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) warned believers about their acts as:
“If anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don’t say: If I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so, but say: Allah did that what He had ordained to do and your “if” opens the (gate) for the Satan.” (Muslim, Kitab al-Qadar, 34. Also see Ibn Majah, Muqaddima, 10)
If humans show weakness, anxiety and they do not show submission to their fate and do not trust in Allah, then they may show hesitations in their deeds and may act in ways that contradict having faith such as nonacquiescence, rebelling to fate, and denying the existence of Allah. This only makes Satan happy.
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) gives the following advice in order to emphasize the importance of solidarity and unity against Satan:
“Satan is a wolf among humans. Just like the wolf that hunts the sheep that wanders away from the herd. Don’t get divide up into groups. Don’t abandon congregations, social gatherings, and prayer rooms.” (Ahmad, II, 400; V, 335; Hakim, I, 73/59)
“Satan whispers into the ears of people when they are alone or with someone else. If there are three people, he would not come close to them.” (Muwatta’, Isti’dhan, 36)
As a matter of fact, Satan cannot harm anyone who does not have ill-intentions. That is because “feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan.”[5] The thing that makes him powerful is the desires and ambitions of people. As a matter of fact, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“As long as a judge is just, Almighty Allah is with him (helps him). When he becomes unjust, Allah leaves him and Satan comes close to him and never leaves him alone.” (Tirmidhi, Ahkam, 4/1330)
It is understood from the sayings of the Prophet (pbuh) and verses of the Qur’an that Allah did not leave devils unconstrained and so they have to obey some rules. It is seen that Satans have permission to be partner in the works of those who forget to remember Allah and who have ill-natured intentions. However, it is impossible for Satan to benefit from neither houses nor works of those whose hearts are awake, who always remember Allah, who enter their houses and start eating in the name of Allah, and who obey the commands of Allah.
Almighty Allah treats with mercy and grace and protects His servants from the tricks of Satan those who do their best to be pious and especially sincere. It is said in the noble Qur’an:
“Were it not for the Grace and Mercy of Allah unto you, all but a few of you would have fallen into the clutches of Satan.” (Al-Nisa; 4:83)
“No authority has he over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord. His authority is over those only, who take him as patron and who join partners with Allah.” (Al-Nahl; 16:99-100)
Our Almighty Lord taught us the following prayer for the protection from Satan:
وَقُلْ رَبِّ اَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاط۪ين. وَاَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ اَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ
“And say: O my Lord! I seek refuge with Thee from the suggestions of the Evil Ones. And I seek refuge with You O my Lord! Lest they should come near me.” (Al-Muminun; 23:97-98)
In summary, every act that makes Satan happy is against human salvation. That is because Satan’s goal and pleasure is to harm people both materially and spiritually. Therefore, one must disappoint Satan and must not be fooled by his tricks by seeking refuge in Allah and remembering Him at all times.
[4] There are various reasons why Satan runs away upon hearing the adhan (call to prayer):
1. He runs away since he fears from the magnificence of adhan. That is because adhan is a call that mentions all of the principles of the religion. Intrinsically, Satan hates this.
2. Adhan is an invitation to prayer and congregation. Prayer is the worship that gets humans closest to Allah, and its most important element is prostration. Satan was expelled from the mercy of Allah since he did not obey the command of Allah which was to prostrate himself before Adam. When Muslims gather for congregation and head for worship and prostration, Satan abandons his hope of deceiving them and runs away from adhan and iqamah (call for actual start of prayer) with sorrow.
3. Everything that hears the voice of adhan will testify for the muazzin. Satan does not want the benefit of any believer. Therefore, by running away he tries to save himself from the good deed of testifying for them, which he never likes. (See. M. Yaşar Kandemir and et al. Riyazu’s-salihin, V, 187)
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8. Not to be fooled by Satan
٢١٢. عَنْ عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«إِنَّ لِلشَّيْطَانِ لَمَّةً بِابْنِ آدَمَ وَلِلْمَلَكِ لَمَّةً فَأَمَّا لَمَّةُ الشَّيْطَانِ فَإِيعَادٌ بِالشَّرِّ وَتَكْذِيبٌ بِالْحَقِّ وَأَمَّا لَمَّةُ الْمَلَكِ فَإِيعَادٌ بِالْخَيْرِ وَتَصْدِيقٌ بِالْحَقِّ فَمَنْ وَجَدَ ذٰلِكَ فَلْيَعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ مِنَ اللّٰهِ فَلْيَحْمَدِ اللّٰهَ وَمَنْ وَجَدَ الْأُخْرَى فَلْيَتَعَوَّذْ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ» ثُمَّ قَرَأَ:
(اَلشَّيْطَانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الْفَقْرَ وَيَاْمُرُكُمْ بِالْفَحْشَاۤءِ).
212. Abdullah b. Mas’ud (r.a.) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“Surely Satan and angels can have a guiding influence upon the hearts of humans. Satan’s influence is guiding towards the wrong deeds and to deny the truth and the angels’ influence is towards the good deeds and to acknowledge the truth. Those who feel the influence towards the good deeds should acknowledge that this is from Allah and thank Him. Those who sense a feeling that encourages him towards wrong deeds should take refuge in Almighty Allah from the evils of the expelled Satan.”
Then the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) recited the following verse from the Noble Qur’an:
“The Evil one threatens you with poverty and bids you to conduct unseemly.” (Al-Baqarah; 2:268) (Tirmidhi, Tafsir, 2/2988)
٢١٣. عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا أَنَّ صَفِيَّةَ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَخْبَرَتْهُ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ وَعِنْدَهُ أَزْوَاجُهُ فَرُحْنَ فَقَالَ لِصَفِيَّةَ بِنْتِ حُيَيٍّ:
«لَا تَعْجَلِي حَتَّى أَنْصَرِفَ مَعَكِ» وَكَانَ بَيْتُهَا فِي دَارِ أُسَامَةَ فَخَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَعَهَا فَلَقِيَهُ رَجُلَانِ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَنَظَرَا إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ أَجَازَا وَقَالَ لَهُمَا النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«تَعَالَيَا إِنَّهَا صَفِيَّةُ بِنْتُ حُيَيٍّ» قَالَا:
«سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ يَا رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ» قَالَ:
«إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَجْرِي مِنَ الْإِنْسَانِ مَجْرَى الدَّمِ وَإِنِّي خَشِيتُ أَنْ يُلْقِيَ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمَا شَيْئًا».
213. Ali b. al-Husain narrated from Safiya (r.anha), the respected wife of the Prophet:
The wives of the Prophet were with him in the mosque (while he was in retreat (itikaf)) and after a while they wanted to depart. The Prophet (pbuh) said to Safiya bint Huyai:
“Don’t hurry, for I shall accompany you.”
That is because her home was a little far and it was later given to Usama b. Zaid. The Prophet (pbuh) went out to accompany her. In the meantime two Ansari men met him and they looked at the Prophet and (upon seeing that his family was with him) passed by quickly.
The Prophet said to them:
“Come here. She is (my wife) Safiya bint Huyai.”
They replied:
“Subhan Allah, (How dare we think of evil) O Allah’s Apostle! (We never expect anything bad from you).”
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“Satan circulates in the human being as blood circulates in the body, and I was afraid lest Satan might insert an evil thought in your minds.” (Bukhari, I’tikaf, 11. Also see Bukhari, Bad’u’l-halk, 11; Ahkam, 21; Muslim, Salam, 23-25; Abu Dawud, Sawm, 79; Adab, 81; Ibn Majah, Siyam, 65)
٢١٤. عَنْ عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: خَطَّ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ خَطًّا بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ:
«هٰذَا سَبِيلُ اللّٰهِ مُسْتَقِيمًا» قَالَ ثُمَّ خَطَّ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَشِمَالِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ:
«هٰذِهِ السُّبُلُ وَلَيْسَ مِنْهَا سَبِيلٌ إِلَّا عَلَيْهِ شَيْطَانٌ يَدْعُو إِلَيْهِ» ثُمَّ قَرَأَ:
(وَاَنَّ هٰذَا صِرَاط۪ي مُسْتَق۪يمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَنْ سَب۪يلِه۪ ذٰلِكُمْ وَصّٰيكُمْ بِه۪ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ).
214. Abdullah b. Mas’ud (r.a.) said:
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) drew a line and said:
“This is the true (straight) path of Allah.”
Then he drew other lines to the left and to the right sides of the first one and said:
“These are some other paths. There is Satan on each one of these paths to call you to follow these paths.”
Then he recited the following verse of Allah the Almighty:
“Verily, this is My way, leading straight: follow it: follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from His (great) path: thus He commands you that you may be righteous.” (Al-An‘am; 6:153) (Ahmad, I, 465, 435; III, 397. Also see Ibn Majah, Muqaddima, 1; Darimi, Muqaddima, 23; Hakim, II, 349/3241)
٢١٥. عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ:
«إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ أَدْبَرَ الشَّيْطَانُ لَهُ ضُرَاطٌ حَتَّى لَا يَسْمَعَ التَّأْذِينَ فَإِذَا قُضِيَ التَّأْذِينُ أَقْبَلَ حَتَّى إِذَا ثُوِّبَ بِالصَّلَاةِ أَدْبَرَ حَتَّى إِذَا قُضِيَ التَّثْوِيبُ أَقْبَلَ حَتَّى يَخْطُرَ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَنَفْسِهِ يَقُولُ لَهُ: اذْكُرْ كَذَا وَاذْكُرْ كَذَا لِمَا لَمْ يَكُنْ يَذْكُرُ مِنْ قَبْلُ حَتَّى يَظَلَّ الرَّجُلُ مَا يَدْرِي كَمْ صَلَّى».
215. Abu Huraira (r.a.) reported the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) as saying:
“When the call to prayer is made, Satan runs back and breaks wind so as not to hear the call being made, and when the call is finished. He turns round when Iqama is proclaimed he turns his back, and when it is finished he turns round to distract a man, saying: Remember such and such; remember such and such, referring to something the man did not have in his mind, with the result that he does not know how much he has prayed.” (Muslim, Salah, 19. Also see Bukhari, Adhan, 4; Amal fi al-Salat, 18; Sahw, 6; Bad’ al-khalk, 11; Abu Dawud, Salat, 31; Nasai, Adhan, 20, 30)
٢١٦. عَنْ جَابِرٍ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ:
«إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ قَدْ أَيِسَ أَنْ يَعْبُدَهُ الْمُصَلُّونَ فِي جَزِيرَةِ الْعَرَبِ وَلٰكِنْ فِي التَّحْرِيشِ بَيْنَهُمْ».
216. Jabir (r.a.) reported: I heard the Prophet (pbuh) saying:
“Satan abandoned hope that Muslims in the Arabian Peninsula to worship him. However, Satan will work on to set them against each other and rift them.” (Muslim, Munafiqin, 65. Also see. Tirmidhi, Birr, 25/1937; Fitan, 2/2159; Ahmad, III, 313, 354, 384)
٢١٧. عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: كُنَّا إِذَا حَضَرْنَا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ طَعَامًا لَمْ نَضَعْ أَيْدِيَنَا حَتَّى يَبْدَأَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَيَضَعَ يَدَهُ وَإِنَّا حَضَرْنَا مَعَهُ مَرَّةً طَعَامًا فَجَاءَتْ جَارِيَةٌ كَأَنَّهَا تُدْفَعُ فَذَهَبَتْ لِتَضَعَ يَدَهَا فِي الطَّعَامِ فَأَخَذَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِيَدِهَا ثُمَّ جَاءَ أَعْرَابِيٌّ كَأَنَّمَا يُدْفَعُ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَسْتَحِلُّ الطَّعَامَ أَنْ لَا يُذْكَرَ اسْمُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ وَإِنَّهُ جَاءَ بِهٰذِهِ الْجَارِيَةِ لِيَسْتَحِلَّ بِهَا فَأَخَذْتُ بِيَدِهَا فَجَاءَ بِهٰذَا الْأَعْرَابِيِّ لِيَسْتَحِلَّ بِهِ فَأَخَذْتُ بِيَدِهِ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ إِنَّ يَدَهُ فِي يَدِي مَعَ يَدِهَا».
217. Hudhaifa (r.a.) reported:
When we attended a dinner along with the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) we would not lay our hands on the food until Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) had laid his hand and commenced eating (the food). Once we went with him to a dinner when a girl came in a rush as it someone had been pursuing her. She was about to lay her hand on the food, when Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) caught her hand. Then a desert Arab came there (in a rush) as if someone had been pursuing him. He (the Holy Prophet) caught his hand; and then Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:
“Satan considers that food lawful on which Allah’s name is not mentioned. He had brought this girl so that the food might be made lawful for him and I caught her hand. And he had brought a desert Arab so that (the food) might be lawful for him. So I caught his hand. By Allah, in Whose hand is my life, it was (Satan’s) hand that was in my hand along with her hand.” (Muslim, Kitab Al-Ashriba, 102. Also see Abu Dawud, At`ima, 15/3766; Ahmad, V, 382, 397; Hakim, IV, 121/7088)
Explanations:
When Almighty Allah created the man and wanted angels to prostrate to him, all of the angels followed the command of Allah except the arrogant Satan and “He said, “Shall I bow down to one whom Thou didst create from clay?” (Al-Isra; 17:61)
Satan made a wrong comparison by thinking that he himself is created from fire but man is created from clay and therefore he thought that he is superior to man. (Al-Araf; 7:12)
Since Allah the Almighty does not like arrogance, He expelled Satan from His mercy and His Paradise. Allah degraded Satan as punishment comparable to Satan’s arrogance. Allah let Satan know that He will curse him until the Day of Judgment.
Satan who rebelled due to his arrogance and pride did not think of asking for forgiveness due to the same reason and asked for some time from Allah. He dreamed of saving himself from death by living until the Day of Resurrection. Allah the Almighty gave him some time until the Day of Judgment as part of the testing in this world. Allah wished to distinguish and reveal those who believe in the hereafter and those who suspect. (Al-Saba; 34:21)
Upon this, Satan swore that he will trick up sins and try everything to misguide humans and approach them from everywhere:
“Then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their left: Nor will you find, in most of them, gratitude (for your mercies).” (Al-Araf; 7:17)
However, He let us know that the servants who found salvation are exceptions since Satan’s power is not enough for them.
Almighty Allah many times warned Satan and his followers by scaring them with Hell. (See Al-Araf; 7:11-18; Al-Hijr; 15:30-44; Sad; 38:71-85)
Later, our Almighty Lord placed the first human Adam and our mother Eve to Paradise. Allah let them take from all of the blessings as much as they want but He forbade them to approach to one tree. At that moment, the testing of mankind has started. Satan got took action and got closer to them with many tricks. Satan took many vows, told lies, made false promises, said “I want good for you,” gave advices, misguided them, and finally deceived them.
This is told in verses of the Noble Qur’an as:
“Then began Satan to whisper suggestions to them, bringing openly before their minds all their shame that was hidden from them (before): he said: “Your Lord only forbade you this tree, lest you should become angels or such beings as live forever.” And he swore to them both, that he was their sincere adviser. So by deceit he brought about their fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them: “Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an avowed enemy unto you?”“ (Al-Araf; 7:20-22)
Satan deceived man by taking advantage of his greed and desire to be eternal. Therefore, we must be careful about these feelings.
When they rose against the Divine Command by following Satan, Allah the Almighty ordered them out of His Paradise and sent them to Earth, the world of difficulties, as enemies to each other. Therefore, the testing and the troubles of humankind have started. (Al-Baqarah; 2:36, Al-Araf; 7:24)
Allah tells this happening to humans for us to take a lesson and warns us as:
“Behold! We said to the angels, “Bow down to Adam”: They bowed down except Iblis. He was one of the Jinns, and he broke the Command of his Lord. Will you then take him and his progeny as protectors rather than Me? And they are enemies to you! Evil would be the exchange for the wrong-doers!” (Al-Kahf; 18:50)
“O you Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you, in the same manner as He got your parents out of the Garden…” (Al-Araf; 7:27)
“O people! Eat of what is on earth, Lawful and good; and do not follow the footsteps of the evil one, for he is to you an avowed enemy.” (Al-Baqarah; 2:168)
“Whoever, forsaking Allah, takes Satan for a friend, hath of a surety suffered a loss that is manifest. Satan makes them promises, and creates in them false desires; but Satan’s promises are nothing but deception.” (An-Nisa; 4:119-120)
“He did lead me astray from the Message (of Allah) after it had come to me! Ah! The Evil One is but a traitor to man!” (Al-Furqan; 25:29)
“About the (Evil One) it is decreed that whoever turns to him for friendship, him will he lead astray, and he will guide him to the Penalty of the Fire.” (Al-Hajj; 22:4)
Allah the Exalted talks about the intentions and the tricks of Satan in the Qur’an and explains them in detail, and He asks His servants:
“…What! Would you then take him and his offspring for friends rather than Me, and they are your enemies? Evil is (this) change for the unjust.” (Kahf; 18:50)
After all these warnings of our Almighty Lord, it would be expected that man would use his intelligence and be aware of the tricks of Satan. It would be expected that he would not be fooled by the suggestions of Satan and would not follow his orders. It would be wished that he would notice the tricks and traps of Satan soon and save both himself and his brothers. However, it did not happen. Most humans followed their eternal enemy despite of all these warnings. They got be fooled by the easy traps of Satan and followed him step by step. There were even times where people got more evil than Satan himself. They even left Satan open-mouthed with astonishment and got away from them by making Satan say “I am far from you, I am afraid of Allah the Lord of all universes.” (Al-Hashr; 59:16) (Al-Anfal; 8:48)
Almighty Allah reproaches His servants as:
“And on them did Satan prove true his idea, and they followed him, all but a party that believed. But he had no authority over them, except that We might test the man who believes in the Hereafter from him who is in doubt concerning it: and your Lord does watch over all things.” (Al-Saba; 34:20-21)
As a matter of fact, Satan cannot drag people to sinful acts by holding from their hands. He can only whisper into their ears. On the other hand, angels give inspirations to humans, too. As a matter of fact, in our first hadith, it is expressed that both Satan and angels can influence humans and Satan calls them to evil deeds and angels call them to good ones. When someone starts to be carried away by feelings and thoughts that distract him towards the wrong way, he must understand that this comes from Satan and must take refuge in Allah right away.
If a person acts fairly, he can easily sense whether the thoughts inspired in his heart is coming from Satan or the angels. That is because Satan always suggests impudicity, shamelessness and bad manners.[1] On the other hand, angels suggest goodness, benevolence, and preparation for the Hereafter. At this point, a person should try to pass the test by preferring goodness.
On the other hand Satan makes wrong deeds look attractive to people.[2] When the carnal self gets carried away by this attraction, it becomes easier for them to fall into the traps. Therefore it is necessary for a person to be aware of these dangers at all times.
For the suggestions of Satan, Allah advised:
“And if (at any time) an incitement to discord is made to you by the Evil One, seek refuge in Allah. He is the One Who hears and knows all things.” (Al-Fussilat; 41:36)
For this reason, a person should take refuge in Allah from his carnal self, Satan, and from the evil of other creatures by remembering Allah and praying to Him at all times.
In our second hadith, we are informed that Satan circulates in the human being as blood circulates in the body, in other words Satan has a chance to deceive and influence human beings and will work hard to do this and won’t miss any opportunity. However, this does not mean that Satan can do whatever he wishes to do. While Almighty Allah has given him some time and permission for the purpose of testing, He has not given him unlimited power. As a matter of fact, his traps are very weak.[3] However, since carnal self is attracted to sinful acts, people fall into these traps by themselves. Satan only invites to sinful acts by making them look attractive and people usually fall into them knowingly.
In our hadith, it is wished to express that Satan never stays unemployed but whispers suggestions at every chance. For this reason, one must be careful and alert to this humans’ eternal enemy. A believer should avoid deeds that others may misinterpret and be careful not to be present in implacable positions. On the other hand, he himself as well should avoid bringing someone under suspicion due to some acts right away and should not come to conclusion before understanding the truth of the matter. One must explain the truth about the things that can be misinterpreted and should be careful about them. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) taught us a very nice way and method on this issue.
In our third hadith, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) explained Allah’s straight path and other ways that distract people from the true way by drawing lines on the ground. In this way, he not only clearly and explicitly explained the issue to us but he also taught us a very nice method of teaching.
There is only one right way. This way is the way of tawhid (oneness of God) that unifies and does not dispel its followers. The other ways deviate from this way more or less and drag people to wrong directions. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) informed us that there is Satan at the entrance of each of these paths and invites people to these paths.
Satan makes the right way look difficult and unpleasant but the other ways appealing and attractive. All paths except the straight one, various religions, schools of thoughts, innovations, and deviances separate believers from the way of Allah by dividing up them into sects and groups.
Therefore the thing that believers should do is not to be the subjects of their desires but to search for the contentment of the Friend and stay on the right path.
In our forth hadith, we are informed that Satan deceives people about worships and he especially whispers things into our ears while praying. When humans worship Allah, Satan becomes furious, burns with pain and does whatever he can to keep people away from worshipping. If he cannot succeed in his efforts, he tries to empty the inside of the worships. He turns worships into some mere physical acts which are far from awe, love, and sincerity.
In our hadith, it is told that when Satan hears adhan and iqamah, he runs away with a fear and terror.[4] However, since Satan’s job is to misguide people and lead them away from the straight path, he comes back. In the end, by whispering some worldly thoughts into the ears of the person in prayer, he makes the heart of the performer distant from the prayer and even makes him forget how many rakahs (units of a prayer) that he has performed. The solution to this problem is to try not to think about other things and remember that while praying one is in the presence of Allah.
Satan works hard to prevent people from doing any good deed. In this regard the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“There are two qualities or characteristics which will not be returned by any Muslim without his entering Paradise. While they are easy, those who act upon them are few. One should say:
“Glory be to Allah” ten times after every prayer, “Praise be to Allah” ten times and “Allah is Most Great” ten times. That is a hundred and fifty on the tongue, but one thousand and five hundred on the scale. When he goes to bed, he should say:
“Allah is Most Great” thirty-four times, “Praise be to Allah” thirty-three times, and “Glory be to Allah thirty-three times,” for that is a hundred on the tongue and a thousand on the scale. (He said:)
I saw the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) counting them on his hand. The people asked:
“O Messenger of Allah! How is it that while they are easy, those who act upon them are few?”He replied:
“The Devil comes to one of you when he goes to bed and he makes him sleep, before he utters them, and he comes to him while he is engaged in prayer and calls a need to his mind before he utters them.” (Tirmidhi, Daawat, 25/3410; Abu Dawud, Kitab Al-Adab, 99-100/5065; Nasai, Sahw, 90)
In our fifth hadith, we are informed that Satan deceives people in their social lives and sets them against each other and seeds hostility and enmity plants among them.
The word “irritation” used in our hadith means to express all kinds of acts that cause enmity, anarchy, and unrest. These are the works of Satan and his followers. For this reason, one must act consciously when facing any irritation and corruption that is contrary to the religious brotherhood and avoid making Satan happy. That is because every kind of huff, disconnection, enmity, and disorder among Muslims is something evil that Satan wishes for and gets happy about. In these situations one must act carefully and try to sustain the friendship of brotherhood. Those who offend each should make peace with each other no later than three days and everyone should apologize for the mistakes done and Muslims should approach to each other with tolerance.
The following story is very exemplary to explain how Satan works hard to turn two Muslims against each other and what we should do to prevent this:
While the Apostle of Allah (pbuh) was sitting with some of his companions, a man reviled Abu Bakr and insulted him. But Abu Bakr remained silent. He insulted him a second time, but Abu Bakr controlled himself. He insulted him once more and Abu Bakr gave him the response he deserves.
Then the Apostle of Allah (pbuh) got up. Abu Bakr said:
“Were you angry with me, O Apostle of Allah?”
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“No.” Then he continued:
“However, an angel had come down from Heaven and he had been rejecting what he had said to you. When you took revenge, the angel left and a devil came down. I cannot sit in a place where the devil comes.” (Abu Dawud, Kitab Al-Adab, 41/4896)
In our sixth hadith, we are told about how Satan works to deceive people in their daily lives. Satan fights humans with his soldiers and warriors and wants to be partners to them in their eating, drinking, sleeping, entering into their houses, earning money, and raising children.
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said in his another saying:
“The Satan is present with any one of you in everything he does; he is present even when he eats food; so if any one of you drops a mouthful he should pick it up and remove any of the filth on it, and then eat it, and should not leave it for the Satan.” (Muslim, Kitab Al-Ashriba, 133-135)
Satans wish to enter into houses, to spend the night there, to use the blessings of the house, to deceive the people in the house and to make them commit sins. The thing which can prevent this is to recite basmala (or to say “in the name of Allah”) when we are entering into a house. When someone does this, Satan hears it and sadly tells his followers that they cannot enter into this house that night. Also, they wait for the meal time thinking that they can benefit from it. If basmala is not recited before eating in that house, Satans eat from the food and take the blessings of the food away. Not remembering Allah is like a food and nourishment to Satans and causes them to gain power. Then they start to deceive the people of the house. If they recite basmala before eating, Satans would understand that they will not get any benefit from them and leave the house.
Satan wants to be partner in people’s works. This partnership starts when someone leaves the house with some bad intentions and thoughts. This is explained in a noble hadith as:
“There would be two flags in the hands of everyone when they leave their houses; one of them would be in the hands of angel and the other one in the hands of Satan. If the person leaves the house for something that Allah loves and consistent with His contentment, then the angel follows him with the flag until he returns to his house. If the person leaves the house for something that angers Allah, then Satan follows him with the flag in his hands. That person would be under the flag of Satan until he returns his house.” (Ahmad, II, 323)
Almighty Allah informs us about the deceptions of Satan about wealth and children as:
“He said: “Tell me. This is the one whom You have honored above me! If You will but respite me to the Day of Judgment, I will surely bring his descendants under my sway – all but a few!” (Allah) said: “Go your way; if any of them follow you, verily Hell will be the recompense of you (all) an ample recompense. Lead to destruction those whom you can among them, with your (seductive) voice; make assaults on them with your cavalry and your infantry; mutually share with them wealth and children; and make promises to them.” But Satan promises them nothing but deceit. As for My servants, no authority shall you have over them:” Enough is your Lord for a Disposer of affairs.” (Al-Isra; 17:62-65)
Overlooking mistakes and sinful acts by finding excuses in personal, social, and business life is all caused by Satan’s deception and empty promises. People surrender to sinful acts for reasons such as wishing to earn more, to be better, or to advance their condition. However, one must never forget that carnal self and Satan have a finger in these things. A believer should hold on to the rope of sincerity and piety and search to find them in order to gain the protection and the help of Allah.
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) warned believers about their acts as:
“If anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don’t say: If I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so, but say: Allah did that what He had ordained to do and your “if” opens the (gate) for the Satan.” (Muslim, Kitab al-Qadar, 34. Also see Ibn Majah, Muqaddima, 10)
If humans show weakness, anxiety and they do not show submission to their fate and do not trust in Allah, then they may show hesitations in their deeds and may act in ways that contradict having faith such as nonacquiescence, rebelling to fate, and denying the existence of Allah. This only makes Satan happy.
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) gives the following advice in order to emphasize the importance of solidarity and unity against Satan:
“Satan is a wolf among humans. Just like the wolf that hunts the sheep that wanders away from the herd. Don’t get divide up into groups. Don’t abandon congregations, social gatherings, and prayer rooms.” (Ahmad, II, 400; V, 335; Hakim, I, 73/59)
“Satan whispers into the ears of people when they are alone or with someone else. If there are three people, he would not come close to them.” (Muwatta’, Isti’dhan, 36)
As a matter of fact, Satan cannot harm anyone who does not have ill-intentions. That is because “feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan.”[5] The thing that makes him powerful is the desires and ambitions of people. As a matter of fact, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“As long as a judge is just, Almighty Allah is with him (helps him). When he becomes unjust, Allah leaves him and Satan comes close to him and never leaves him alone.” (Tirmidhi, Ahkam, 4/1330)
It is understood from the sayings of the Prophet (pbuh) and verses of the Qur’an that Allah did not leave devils unconstrained and so they have to obey some rules. It is seen that Satans have permission to be partner in the works of those who forget to remember Allah and who have ill-natured intentions. However, it is impossible for Satan to benefit from neither houses nor works of those whose hearts are awake, who always remember Allah, who enter their houses and start eating in the name of Allah, and who obey the commands of Allah.
Almighty Allah treats with mercy and grace and protects His servants from the tricks of Satan those who do their best to be pious and especially sincere. It is said in the noble Qur’an:
“Were it not for the Grace and Mercy of Allah unto you, all but a few of you would have fallen into the clutches of Satan.” (Al-Nisa; 4:83)
“No authority has he over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord. His authority is over those only, who take him as patron and who join partners with Allah.” (Al-Nahl; 16:99-100)
Our Almighty Lord taught us the following prayer for the protection from Satan:
وَقُلْ رَبِّ اَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاط۪ين. وَاَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ اَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ
“And say: O my Lord! I seek refuge with Thee from the suggestions of the Evil Ones. And I seek refuge with You O my Lord! Lest they should come near me.” (Al-Muminun; 23:97-98)
In summary, every act that makes Satan happy is against human salvation. That is because Satan’s goal and pleasure is to harm people both materially and spiritually. Therefore, one must disappoint Satan and must not be fooled by his tricks by seeking refuge in Allah and remembering Him at all times.
[1] Al-Nur; 24:21.
[2] Al-An’am; 6:43.
[3] Al-Nisa; 4:76.
[4] There are various reasons why Satan runs away upon hearing the adhan (call to prayer):
1. He runs away since he fears from the magnificence of adhan. That is because adhan is a call that mentions all of the principles of the religion. Intrinsically, Satan hates this.
2. Adhan is an invitation to prayer and congregation. Prayer is the worship that gets humans closest to Allah, and its most important element is prostration. Satan was expelled from the mercy of Allah since he did not obey the command of Allah which was to prostrate himself before Adam. When Muslims gather for congregation and head for worship and prostration, Satan abandons his hope of deceiving them and runs away from adhan and iqamah (call for actual start of prayer) with sorrow.
3. Everything that hears the voice of adhan will testify for the muazzin. Satan does not want the benefit of any believer. Therefore, by running away he tries to save himself from the good deed of testifying for them, which he never likes. (See. M. Yaşar Kandemir and et al. Riyazu’s-salihin, V, 187)
[5] Al-Nisa; 4:76.
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