The Holy Qur'an, like a pure mirror, displays the metaphysical and psychological realities of the universe and invites humanity to contemplate the system of creation and confront the unseen adversaries. Verses 35 to 38 of Surah Al-Baqarah, narrating the story of Adam and Eve and the role of Satan in their slip, open a window towards a profound understanding of the metaphysical interactions between man and devils. This treatise, adopting a psychological and metaphysical approach, analyses the conduct of devils in infiltrating humans through the inner portals of the soul and elucidates the role of angels and divine saints in safeguarding humanity. The objective is to provide a systematic and scholarly exegesis of these verses for academic audiences, maintaining complete fidelity to the original content, employing an exalted style, and a coherent structure, while emphasising the necessity of spiritual vigilance and the strengthening of scientific authority in religious domains. This work, by integrating Qur'anic and psychological analyses, offers a framework for a deeper comprehension of the metaphysical order of the cosmos and methods of protection against satanic influence.
وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنْتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
Translation: And We said, O Adam, dwell, you and your spouse, in Paradise and eat freely thereof wherever you wish, but do not approach this tree lest you become of the wrongdoers.
This verse refers to the establishment of Adam and Eve in Paradise and their freedom to enjoy its bounties with the condition of abstaining from approaching the forbidden tree. This prohibition constitutes a test of human will and piety, whose violation results in oppression and misguidance.
فَأَزَلَّهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ وَقُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ وَلَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ
Translation: Then Satan caused them to slip therefrom and expelled them from what they had been in, and We said, Descend, [all of you], as enemies to one another. And for you on the earth is a place of settlement and enjoyment for a time.
This verse highlights Satans role in causing the slip of Adam and Eve and their expulsion from Paradise. The descent is the consequence of heeding Satans invitation, which, by designating some humans and Satan as enemies, alludes to the complexity of the metaphysical system of existence.
فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
Translation: Then Adam received from his Lord words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.
This verse refers to Adam receiving the words of repentance from his Lord and the acceptance of divine mercy. The words of repentance serve as the means for returning to God and signify the human capacity for reform and deliverance from misguidance.
قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا ۖ فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ مِنِّي هُدًى فَمَنْ تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Translation: We said, Descend, all of you, from it. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance will neither fear nor grieve.
This verse refers to the collective descent and the promise of divine guidance. Following guidance shields the human being from fear and sorrow and paves the way for deliverance from satanic influence.
Verses 35 to 38 of Surah Al-Baqarah present a comprehensive narrative of the story of Adam and Eve, in which the trial of will, the slip instigated by Satan, repentance, and divine guidance are portrayed as the fundamental stages of human creation and development. These verses emphasise the role of the souls inner portals in permitting Satans infiltration and the necessity of piety and seeking refuge for immunity from misguidance.
The conduct of devils encompasses a wide range of metaphysical infiltrations, from insinuation and deception to transforming a human into a companion and brother of devils. This process leads to the alignment of the human soul with devils, reflected in the verse إِخْوَانَ الشَّيَاطِينِ (Al-Anam, 6:121).
وَإِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلَىٰ أَوْلِيَائِهِمْ لِيُجَادِلُوكُمْ
Translation: And indeed, devils inspire their allies to dispute with you.
This verse points to the transmission of unseen news by devils to their allies for disputation with the believers. Satanic revelation is a tool for fomenting discord and misguidance.
The relationship between devils and their allies reaches mutual commissioning, wherein devils convey unseen news and their allies seek intelligence from them. This process indicates a profound bilateral cooperation between them.
تَنَزَّلُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٍ
Translation: Devils descend upon every lying, sinful person.
This verse refers to the metaphysical descent of devils upon individuals with profound spiritual defilements (lying sinners) who are receptive to unseen news for misguidance.
يُلْقُونَ السَّمْعَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ كَاذِبُونَ
Translation: They cast (into the hearts) the hearing, and most of them are liars.
Devils implant what they hear to their allies, yet due to the limitations of their informational reach, the majority are deceitful, which leads to discord and misguidance.
Devils are capable only within the limited range of the souls lower faculties; they hold no power over the intermediate and higher faculties (spirit, secret, hidden, and most concealed levels). This limitation indicates their incapacity to penetrate the deeper existential layers of humans.
Devils act as two-way spies, providing false news to both disbelievers and believers, thereby creating metaphysical turmoil.
The conduct of devils, ranging from revelation and descent to implantation and possession, relies heavily on infiltration through the inner portals of the human soul. This infiltration is accompanied by falsehood and fomentation of discord and is effective solely within the short-range faculties of the soul. Allies of Satan, owing to spiritual defilements, are receptive to this infiltration, whereas piety and purity of soul protect humans from these influences.
The number of angels and divine administrators is so vast that it surpasses the grains of desert sand and leaves of trees. Each angel has a specific duty, such as bringing a single drop of rain.
Unlike humans, angels are specialised in a single task which they execute with precision and order.
Believers, particularly prophets and saints, are escorted by countless angels, which the Qur'an refers to with expressions such as havrta indicating their multitude.
Angels spread their wings for the seeker of knowledge and support him on the path to acquiring insight.
Despite countless escorts, believers still face metaphysical and nafs-related challenges, which stem from the necessity of spiritual growth.
Angels and divine administrators, through their multiplicity and specialisation, provide a comprehensive protective system for humans against devils. This support is especially prominent for believers and seekers of knowledge, yet it requires human vigilance and piety to be fully effective.
And Satan said when the matter was concluded, Indeed, Allah had promised you the promise of truth, and I promised you, but I betrayed you.
This verse refers to the speech of Iblis on the Day of Resurrection, where he absolves himself of misleading humans and attributes responsibility to human choice.
And I had no authority over you except that I called you, and you responded to me.
Iblis emphasises that he had no dominion over humans, and misguidance results from humans responding to his call.
So do not blame me, but blame yourselves.
Iblis invites humans to blame themselves, as misguidance is the outcome of their own choice.
I am not your helper, nor are you my helpers.
This verse indicates the cessation of cooperation between Satan and his allies on the Day of Resurrection, where none can assist the other.
Indeed, I disassociated myself from what you associated with Me before.
Iblis claims to absolve himself of the polytheism that humans attributed to him previously, though the subsequent verse reveals he remains subject to punishment.
Indeed, the wrongdoers will have a painful punishment.
This verse, as a divine proclamation, encompasses all wrongdoers (humans and Satan) and indicates that Iblis is not exempt from responsibility.
The pulpit of Iblis on Resurrection emphasises human responsibility regarding nafss choices and Satans incapacity to compel. The punishment of the wrongdoers, human and satanic alike, manifests divine justice and the cessation of collaboration between Satan and his allies.
Human beings are subjected to continuous attacks by devils and metaphysical forces, yet divine administrators and protectors preserve them.
Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.
Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the dawn.
These verses stress the necessity of seeking refuge to guard against the devils whisperings that shield humans from metaphysical infiltration.
Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind, the God of mankind.
The expressions of Lord, King, and God each allude to specific escorts of angels providing varied protection against devils.
Seeking refuge and divine protection serve as spiritual shields that safeguard humans against metaphysical attacks of the devils. The variety in Quranic expressions points to a comprehensive and multilayered divine protective system, which requires human supplication and vigilance.
Religious knowledge must systematically write and elucidate Quranic satanology to precisely understand the behaviour of devils and the methods of counteracting them.
The focus of religious knowledge on superficial issues such as literature, morphology, and syntax should not replace attention to profound Quranic sciences such as satanology.
Be an ornament for us and not a disgrace upon us.
This statement refers to the necessity of competence and professionalism in religious knowledge.
Religious knowledge, by concentrating on Quranic satanology and producing fundamental sciences, can fulfil its historical role in global guidance and counteracting the devils influence.
Devils are independent from birth and do not require upbringing or parental support, unlike humans.
Among devils, both genders (male and female) are capable of producing offspring, leading to their multitude.
Jinn tribes exhibit diversity in functions (masculine, feminine, and naswani [female-specific]) and each tribe has specific duties.
The effects of devils are mostly limited to whispering and blowing, except in cases such as possession and companion-jinn, which require psychological illness or nafs disorders.
Devilish disruption is linked to psychological disorders and spiritual illnesses; without these conditions, satanic possession is not possible.
The metaphysical features of devils and jinn, from independence and dual reproduction to the diversity of tribes, indicate the complexity of their metaphysical system. Understanding these characteristics is essential for countering satanic influence and strengthening piety.
Human problems are influenced by divine decree, destiny, and predestination, yet seeking aid from angels and saints can assist them on this path.
Humans should continually seek intercession from angels, prophets, and divine saints to remain protected against satanic infiltration.
Divine decree and destiny, as metaphysical factors, alongside human free will, shape the confrontation with devils. Seeking aid from divine saints fortifies humans on this path and facilitates deliverance from misguidance.
The exegesis of verses 35 to 38 of Surah Al-Baqarah provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the behaviour of devils and methods of confronting them. Devils infiltrate humans through nafss vulnerabilities by means such as revelation, descent, suggestion, and possession; however, their short-range limitations and deception render their influence ineffective. Angels and divine saints, with multiplicity and specialisation, establish an extensive protective system for humans, which is completed by seeking refuge and piety. Religious knowledge, with an emphasis on Quranic satanology, can historically fulfil its role in global guidance. The story of Adam has concluded, yet humanitys encounter with devils continues, where spiritual vigilance, piety, and seeking aid from divine saints remain the keys to immunity and deliverance.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
