The Holy Quran, as a pure spring of divine knowledge, in verse fifteen of Surah Al-Baqarah addresses the relationship between the hypocrites and the devils, unveiling their covert behaviours and mockeries. This verse, with emphasis on the word شَيَاطِينِهِمْ which appears uniquely in this form within the entire Quran opens a gateway towards the analysis of the concepts of Satan, Iblis, and the jinn. This work, adopting a scientific and systematic approach, elucidates these concepts from psychological and Quranic perspectives, employing refined metaphors that portray Satan as a dark shadow opposing the divine light. The aim of this treatise is to provide a comprehensive and academic exegesis for scholars and educated audiences, using a dignified language befitting a high-level doctoral and specialised academic milieu. It explores the nature of Satan, critiques religious scientific methodologies, and stresses the necessity for their transformation.
وَإِذَا خَلَوْا إِلَىٰ شَيَاطِينِهِمْ قَالُوا إِنَّا مَعَكُمْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَهْزِئُونَ
[Al-Baqarah: 15]
Translation: And when they are alone with their devils, they say: Indeed, we are with you; we only mock.
This refers to the hypocrites behaviour who, in private with their devils, express their alliance with them and aim to ridicule the believers. The term شَيَاطِينِهِمْ, due to its specificity and uniqueness, holds a special status in Quranic analysis.
شَيَاطِينِهِمْ, exposes the secret connection of the hypocrites with the devils and underscores the complexity of their behaviours. This verse introduces hypocrisy as a mask with which hypocrites conceal their true intentions and ally themselves with the devils.
In the Holy Quran, the word Satan appears approximately 68 times, devils 17 times, and Iblis 11 times, totalling 99 references. Furthermore, examples of the jinn also exist in the Quran. Uniquely, in the verse under discussion, the term شَيَاطِينِهِمْ appears in the plural form, possessively linked to the hypocrites.
Like an intricately intertwined network of meanings, the concepts of Satan, Iblis, and jinn are interwoven within the Quran, and their precise comprehension necessitates profound analysis.
Contrary to common belief, Satan and Iblis are not proper names but general descriptors. Satan is derived from the root شَطَنَ (denoting estrangement from truth and deprivation), and Iblis from the root بَلَسَ (indicating distance and despair). The letter ن in شیطان forms an essential part of the word, and the root شَطَنَ is more precise than شَاطَ يَشِيطُ (denoting wrath and deprivation).
Like an attribute ascribed to various entities, Satan and Iblis denote qualities applicable to multiple instances, encompassing jinn, humans, and malevolent beings.
Satan and Iblis manifest in countless forms, including jinn, humans, and even malevolent entities such as microbes and viruses. These attributes are ascribed to anything removed from divine truth.
Like a shadow cast upon every dark entity, Satan is a characteristic that applies to every malevolent and truth-distant creature.
The jinn represent an infinite realm comprising numerous individuals and characteristics. Religious sciences, due to analytical weaknesses, have failed to scientifically prove the existence and attributes of the jinn.
Like an unseen world residing behind the veil of perception, the jinn constitute a domain whose understanding demands rigorous and scientific research.
By virtue of their immaterial nature, jinn possess greater power than humans; however, human cognition and knowledge surpass them. Jinn are lovers of knowledge and submit before scholars.
Like a being with apparent power but deficient in knowledge, the jinn submit before Quranic scholars.
Satan influences human psychology and behaviour through whispering, adornment, forgetfulness, and possession. These effects are described as psychological maladies in verses such as:
مَسَّنِيَ الشَّيْطَانُ بِنَصَبٍ وَعَذَابٍ
[Sad: 41]
Translation: Satan afflicted me with toil and torment.
زَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ
[Nahl: 63]
Translation: Satan adorned their deeds for them.
Like a poison gradually penetrating the psyche, Satans whisperings divert human behaviour.
Satan can also affect the prophets; however, prophets, relying on spiritual strength and divine assistance, neutralise these influences. This demonstrates both the intensity of Satans intrusion and the power of divine repulsion.
Like a fortified castle resisting enemy onslaughts, prophets remain steadfast against Satan with divine aid.
Religious science, focusing on traditional disciplines, has failed to substantiate Quranic concepts such as the jinn and Satan against scientific critiques. This weakness arises from the lack of modern and applied research.
Like a gardener employing outdated tools, religious science, without transformation, remains incapable of addressing contemporary needs.
Religious science must shift from traditional instruction towards the production of modern and applied sciences to validate Quranic concepts in the scientific realm. Establishing research centres and scientific laboratories for this purpose is essential.
Like a bridge connecting past to future, religious science must employ modern methodologies to present Quranic concepts to the contemporary world.
The Holy Quran is an empirical text in which concepts such as possession, adornment, and forgetfulness by Satan, interpreted as psychological disorders, are amenable to scientific examination. These verses present empirical realities that can be analysed within the framework of modern sciences.
Like a map depicting earthly realities, the Holy Quran provides empirical data for scientific analysis.
Memorisation and recitation of the Quran without comprehension and application fail to resolve problems. Religious science must prioritise analysis and application of Quranic concepts over rote learning.
Like a treasure remaining unused in a vault, the Quran does not yield its full fruits without analysis and application.
In opposition to the authority of devils, angels, saints, and divine administrators aid humans. Without such assistance, humans cannot resist Satan.
Like an army providing support against enemies, angels and saints strengthen humans against Satan.
To combat Satan and comprehend Quranic concepts, scientific laboratories must be established and scientific endeavours undertaken. Traditional dialogue and instruction alone are insufficient.
Like a physician treating illness through testing, understanding the Holy Quran requires scientific and applied research.
The interpretation of verse fifteen of Surah Al-Baqarah, by emphasising the word شَيَاطِينِهِمْ, reveals the covert alliance of the hypocrites with the devils and opens the door to a deeper understanding of the concepts of Satan, Iblis, and the jinn. Satan and Iblis, as general attributes, encompass wide-ranging manifestations from jinn and humans to malevolent beings, and their effects on human psyche and behaviourfrom whispering to psychological disordersconstitute empirical realities amenable to scientific analysis. The jinn represent an infinite realm with greater power but lesser knowledge than humans, submitting before Quranic scholars. Critiques of religious science highlight its weakness in proving Quranic concepts and stress the urgent need for transformation towards modern research methodologies to bridge the Quran with contemporary sciences. The Holy Quran, as an empirical text, presents concepts such as possession and adornment by Satan for psychological and scientific scrutiny. Angels and saints provide divine support against the power of devils, and scientific endeavour is key to comprehending and applying these concepts. This exegesis, with its refined and scientific perspective, invites reflection upon Quranic realities and the transformation of religious sciences to address contemporary demands.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi