In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Satan, the Devil

Young Enlightened Submitters

God is our creator. He is the One who has control over all our life. He is so merciful, He gave us more than one chance to do well and be with Him. Because God is the One in control of everything, He has all the ways to make us happy in this life and in the Hereafter.

When God created the whole universe, the humans asked to have the freedom to choose. The freedom to decide for themselves what is right and what is wrong. The freedom to think about the whole universe and to think about God. God gave the humans their choice and reminded them that Satan, the Devil, will try to confuse them, misguide them and take them away from the correct way.

[33:72] We have offered the responsibility (freedom of choice) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they refused to bear it, and were afraid of it. But the human being accepted it; he was transgressing, ignorant.

Vocabulary:

transgress = to act against (the law)

ignorant = not aware of something, without knowledge or education.

God even started the whole creation of the humans by giving us an example of what Satan can do to us. God told us about what happened to Adam and Eve, the first humans, when Satan talked to them and got them to disobey God and sin. They lost their paradise and had to come down to earth and start a new life.

[2:35] We said, "O Adam, live with your wife in Paradise, and eat therefrom generously, as you please, but do not approach this tree, lest you sin."

[2:36] But the devil duped* them, and caused their eviction therefrom. We said, "Go down as enemies of one another. On Earth shall be your habitation and provision for awhile."

Vocabulary:

dupe = to make a person easily believe what is not true.

evict = to force someone to move out

[7:19] "As for you, Adam, dwell with your wife in Paradise, and eat therefrom as you please, but do not approach this one tree, lest you fall in sin."
[7:20] The devil whispered to them, in order to reveal their bodies, which were invisible to them. He said, "Your Lord did not forbid you from this tree, except to prevent you from becoming angels, and from attaining eternal existence."
[7:21] He swore to them, "I am giving you good advice."
[7:22] He thus duped them with lies. As soon as they tasted the tree, their bodies became visible to them, and they tried to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise. Their Lord called upon them: "Did I not enjoin you from that tree, and warn you that the devil is your most ardent enemy?"
[7:23] They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged our souls, and unless You forgive us and have mercy on us, we will be losers."
[7:24] He said, "Go down as enemies of one another. On earth shall be your habitation and provision for awhile."
[7:25] He said, "On it you will live, on it you will die, and from it you will be brought out."
[7:26] O children of Adam, we have provided you with garments* to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment is the garment of righteousness. These are some of GOD's signs, that they may take heed.
[7:27] O children of Adam, do not let the devil dupe you as he did when he caused the eviction* of your parents from Paradise, and the removal of their garments to expose their bodies. He and his tribe see you, while you do not see them. We appoint the devils as companions of those who do not believe.

Vocabulary:

eternal = never ending

garments = clothes

[20:115] We tested Adam in the past, but he forgot, and we found him indecisive.
[20:116] Recall that we said to the angels, "Fall prostrate before Adam." They fell prostrate, except Satan; he refused.
[20:117] We then said, "O Adam, this is an enemy of you and your wife. Do not let him evict* you from Paradise, lest you become miserable.
[20:118] "You are guaranteed never to hunger therein, nor go unsheltered.
[20:119] "Nor will you thirst therein, nor suffer from any heat."
[20:120] But the devil whispered to him, saying, "O Adam, let me show you the tree of eternity and unending kingship."
[20:121]They ate from it, whereupon their bodies became visible to them, and they tried to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise. Adam thus disobeyed his Lord, and fell.
[20:122] Subsequently, his Lord chose him, redeemed him, and guided him.
[20:123] He said, "Go down therefrom, all of you. You are enemies of one another. When guidance comes to you from Me, anyone who follows My guidance will not go astray, nor suffer any misery.

Vocabulary:

indecisive = cannot make his mind

subsequently = after that

astray = away from the right direction or path.

As you can see God promised the submitters to Him:

"When guidance comes to you from Me, anyone who follows My guidance will not go astray, nor suffer any misery."

This first example of Satan, Adam and his wife, should never be forgotten. Satan does not want anything good for us because he wants to prove to himself and to God that he can make the people sin like he did. God knows better, however. He told Satan that he will not have any control over the believers, the submitters to God.

[15:39-50] He (Satan) said, "My Lord, since You have willed that I go astray, I will surely entice them on earth; I will send them all astray. Except those among Your worshipers who are devoted absolutely to You alone. He (God) said, "This is a law that is inviolable. You have no power over My servants. You only have power over the strayers who follow you. And Hell awaits them all . It will have seven gates. Each gate will get a specific share of them. As for the righteous, they will enjoy gardens and springs. Enter therein, peaceful and secure. We remove all jealousy from their hearts. Like one family, they will be on adjacent furnishings. Never will they suffer any fatigue therein; never will they be evicted therefrom Inform My servants that I am the Forgiver, Most merciful And that My retribution is the most painful retribution."

Should we fear Satan ?!

Definitely NOT !!

The submitters to God are strong. They are not afraid of Satan or any devil. They know that God is protecting them as long as they stay with Him.

Actually the believers do not fear anyone or anything but disobeying God. God and his angels will be with them protecting them all the time. God promised that Satan will not be able to confuse the believers or play his tricks on them as long as they follow His guidance.

The believers are always alert to Satan's tricks and do not allow him to confuse them. Because the believers know God, they fear disobeying Him. They know that following God's guidance will guarantee them happiness for ever. They also know if they followed Satan they will be miserable for ever. That is what they fear, disobeying God.

Next time, Satan wants to scare you or put fears in your heart, remember that you are with God and He will protect you. Remember that those who stay with God are stronger than satan and all the devils on earth.

[3:175] It is the devil's system to instill fear into his subjects. Do not fear them and fear Me instead, if you are believers.

Quiz
  1. What did Satan do to Adam and Eve ?

    helped them to be good believers.

    become a good friend of them

    lied to them and made them sin and got them kicked out of paradise.

  2. Satan has control over the humans except:

    the ones who do not believe in God.

    the ones who believe in God but do not follow His guidance.

    The ones who believe in God and follow His guidance.

  3. Satan always tries to

    confuse the people, misguide them and lead them to the wrong way.

    scare the people away from God.

    prove that he can make the people sin like he did.

    All of the above.

  4. Satan can easily play his tricks on what kind of people ?

    those who do not believe in God.

    those who do not follow the guidance of God as found in His scriptures.

    those who are too arrogant to follow the guidance of God.

    all of the above.