Transliteration:( Innamaa yaamurukum bissooo'i walfahshaaa'i wa an taqooloo alal laahi maa laa ta'lamoon )
"He (the devil) only commands you to do evil and indecency [359], and to say about Allah that which you do not know [360]." (Kanzul Imaan Translation)
The Devil's Influence: The verse highlights that the devil encourages people to commit evil and engage in indecency, leading them to actions that are harmful and sinful. This includes spreading falsehoods or making unjust claims.
Unlawful Claims: For example, the claim that animals like the Baheerah (she-camel) and Saibah (she-goat) were unlawful to eat was baseless, as these designations were made by pagan Arabs without any divine command. Allah warns against such false accusations.
False Labelling: This verse teaches us that labeling something as unlawful without clear evidence from Allah or His Prophet ﷺ is an act of following the devil’s whispers. The idolaters of Makkah incorrectly labeled certain animals as unlawful without any legitimate basis.
Modern Parallels: The same devilish practice can be seen in modern times when people declare certain practices, such as Fatiha, Meelad gatherings, or other acts of worship, as haram (unlawful) without any supporting evidence from the Qur'an or Hadith.
168. O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth, and follow not the footsteps of Shaytan (Satan). Verily, he is to you an open enemy. 169. He (Satan) commands you only what is evil and Fahsha’ (sinful), and that you should say about Allah what you know not.
After Allah stated that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him and that He Alone created the creation, He stated that He is the Sustainer for all His creation, and He mentioned a favor that He granted them; He has allowed them to eat any of the pure lawful things on the earth that do not cause harm to the body or the mind. He also forbade them from following the footsteps of Shaytan, meaning his ways and methods with which he misguides his followers, like prohibiting the Bahirah (a she-camel whose milk was spared for the idols and nobody was allowed to milk it), or Sa’ibah (a she-camel let loose for free pasture for the idols and nothing was allowed to be carried on it), or a Wasilah (a she-camel set free for idols because it has given birth to a she-camel at its first delivery and then again gives birth to a she-camel at its second delivery), and all of the other things that Shaytan made attractive to them during the time of Jahiliyyah. Muslim recorded `Iyad bin Himar saying that Allah’s Messenger said that Allah the Exalted says,
(`Every type of wealth I have endowed My servants is allowed for them…’ (until), `I have created My servants Hunafa’ (pure or upright), but the devils came to them and led them astray from their (true) religion and prohibited them from what I allowed for them. ‘)
Allah said:
(…he is to you an open enemy.)
warning against Satan. Allah said in another instance:
(Surely, Shaytan is an enemy to you, so take (treat) him as an enemy. He only invites his Hizb (followers) that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire.) (35:6), and:
(Will you then take him (Iblis) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than Me while they are enemies to you What an evil is the exchange for the Zalimin (polytheists, and wrongdoers, etc).) (18:50)
Qatadah and As-Suddi commented on what Allah said:
(…and follow not the footsteps of Shaytan (Satan)):
Every act of disobedience to Allah is among the footsteps of Satan.
`Abd bin Humayd reported that Ibn `Abbas said: “Any vow or oath that one makes while angry, is among the footsteps of Shaytan and its expiation is that of the vow. ” Allah’s statement:
(He (Satan) commands you only what is evil and Fahsha (sinful), and that you should say about Allah what you know not.)
The verse means: `Your enemy, Satan, commands you to commit evil acts and what is worse than that, such as adultery and so forth. He commands you to commit what is even worse, that is, saying about Allah without knowledge.’ So this includes every innovator and disbeliever.
(2:169) he only commands you to do evil and commit acts of indecency and to ascribe to Allah the things concerning which you have no knowledge (that He really is their source).[167]
167. The notion that all superstitious customs and taboos are God-given religious teachings is an example of satanic deception, pure and simple, since there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that they are from God.
For a faster and smoother experience,
install our mobile app now.
Related Ayat(Verses)/Topics