Understanding the actions of Satan and his cohorts, as one of the fundamental themes of the Holy Qur'an, constitutes a necessity that holds a special position on the path of human spiritual and psychological elevation. This treatise, relying on verses 35 to 38 of Surah Al-Baqarah, elucidates the scientific and psychological aspects of Satans deeds, adopting a systematic approach to examine the human position vis--vis this metaphysical adversary. The Holy Qur'an, like a guiding lamp, invites humanity to contemplate the methods of Satans infiltration and the imperative of vigilance against him, with brevity in expression and depth in meaning. This text, integrating Quranic and psychological analyses, provides a comprehensive framework for understanding this subject and endeavours, employing refined Persian allegories, to present the concepts clearly and attractively to a specialised audience.
The actions and conduct of Satan and his demons are so extensive and diverse that enumerating them surpasses human capacity. The Holy Qur'an, akin to a boundless ocean, presents only symbolic examples of these deeds to prompt humans towards deeper reflection and research.
The Holy Qur'an, as a foundational book, conceals detailed meanings within its concise expressions. Just as the deeds of the Prophets are stated in limited form, the actions of devils are also presented only as exemplars.
Through inductive analysis of Quranic verses, one can scientifically extract Satans tactics such as embellishment, distortion, and misleading, thereby reaching a comprehensive understanding of his nature.
The first part, emphasising the extent of Satans conduct and the Qurans conciseness, highlighted the necessity of scientific and inductive analysis of these actions. This understanding, like a radiant torch, guides humans against the darkness of Satans infiltration.
Underestimating Satan results in human failure because ignorance of his capabilities diminishes vigilance and preparedness.
Unawareness of Satan and his tactics is the root of many failures, psychological concerns, and sins of the believers.
Fear of Satan is not a paralysing terror but a vigilance against an adversary standing face to face with the Lord and besieging the earthly realms.
The second part, stressing the danger of neglecting Satan and the necessity of precise recognition, summoned humans to vigilance and readiness against this metaphysical adversary. Such recognition serves as a shield protecting humans from the arrows of Satans temptations.
Satan embellishes human actions, even good deeds, contaminating them with hypocrisy and self-conceit.
وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
Translation: And Satan made their deeds appear fair to them.
Satan induces forgetfulness, leading humans towards distraction and obsessive thoughts.
وَأَنْسَاهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ ذِكْرَ رَبِّهِمْ
Translation: And Satan caused them to forget the remembrance of their Lord.
Nazgh refers to Satans momentary temptation, whereas Kayd denotes his long-term scheming.
وَيَنْزَغَنَّ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ
Translation: And whenever an insinuation from Satan comes to them.
Satan implants ideas in human desires, transforming them into tools for misguidance.
أَلْقَى الشَّيْطَانُ فِي أُمْنِيَّتِهِ
Translation: Satan cast into his desire.
The third part, by elucidating Satans varied infiltration methodsfrom embellishment and forgetfulness to whispering and instillationhighlighted the complexity of his stratagems. These methods, like invisible webs, entangle humans in the trap of misguidance, but through seeking refuge and piety, one can escape them.
The Quranic verses require detailed and scientific analysis to extract their profound meanings.
Religious science, by its passivity in producing Quranic knowledge, has distanced itself from its global position.
Many Quranic translations fail to convey the precise meanings of the verses due to linguistic inaccuracy.
The fourth part, stressing the necessity of verse dissection and critiquing passivity in religious science, highlighted the role of scholars in revitalising Quranic sciences and presenting them to the world. This effort is akin to planting a seed that will bear a mighty tree of knowledge and wisdom in the future.
The interpretation of verses 35 to 38 of Surah Al-Baqarah, focusing on Satans conduct, provided a comprehensive framework for recognising this metaphysical adversary. Satan, with diverse tactics such as embellishment, forgetfulness, whispering, and instillation, targets humans; however, these methods can be neutralised through vigilance, seeking refuge, and piety. Religious science, by dissecting the verses and producing Quranic psychological knowledge, can help revive its position globally. This treatise, by precisely elucidating these concepts, invites humanity to reflect on the Holy Qur'an and strengthen insight against Satan, thus safeguarding oneself from the darkness of misguidance like a pathway in the light.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
