Surah Al-Hijr — Verse 17

Word Meanings:

• Shaytan (شَيْطَانٍ): A rebellious and arrogant being from among the jinn, who disobeys Allah and seeks to mislead humanity.
• Rajeem (رَّجِيمٍ): The one who is pelted, stoned, or driven away — meaning expelled and banished from Allah's mercy, and also described as being pelted with meteors when attempting to approach the heavens.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this noble verse, Allah, the Exalted, informs us of His perfect protection and guardianship over the heavens. He says: "And We have protected it (the heaven) from every devil who is rajeem (pelted and driven away)."

This means that Allah has safeguarded the lower heaven — the celestial realm — from the approach of any devil, whether from the jinn or their rebellious offspring. These devils are described as "rajeem," meaning they are pelted with meteors and flaming firebrands whenever they dare to ascend or attempt to eavesdrop on the heavenly realm. They are utterly banished from Allah's mercy and cannot reach the heavens to steal knowledge of the unseen or to interfere with the divine order.

The verse emphasizes that the heavens are not left unguarded; rather, they are under Allah's absolute protection. No devil can climb up to them, nor can any of them secretly listen to the angels' discussions or obtain any hidden knowledge. This divine protection serves as a clear sign of Allah's power and His care for the celestial order, ensuring that the revelation and divine decrees remain untainted and secure from any satanic interference.

A Call to Reflection and Faith:

Dear believer, contemplate the greatness of this divine protection! The same Allah who guards the heavens from every devil is the One who watches over you. If He protects the celestial realm from evil, how much more does He care for His believing servants? He has also promised to protect you from the whispers of Satan, as long as you remain steadfast in His remembrance and obedience. So turn to Him with a sincere heart, seek refuge in Him from the accursed devil, and rest assured that His protection encompasses you in this life and the Hereafter. Indeed, Allah is the Best Guardian, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.