Surah Al-Hijr — Verse 39

Word Meanings:

• "Bima aghwaytani" – "Because You have led me astray" – meaning, by Your decree of misguidance upon me. The *ba* here is for oath (swearing), so Iblis is swearing by Allah's act of leading him astray.
• "La-uzayyinnanna" – "I will surely beautify" – meaning, I will make something appear attractive and desirable.
• "Wa-la-ughwiyannahum" – "And I will surely lead them astray" – meaning, I will turn them away from the path of guidance.
• "Ajma'in" – "All of them" – meaning, every single one of Adam's descendants, without exception.

Explanation of the Verse:

This is the moment when Iblis (Satan) – may Allah's curse be upon him – after being expelled from Allah's mercy for his arrogance and refusal to prostrate to Adam, turns to his Lord with a declaration of open war against humanity. He says: *"My Lord, because You have led me astray, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all."*

In this statement, Iblis acknowledges that his misguidance is by Allah's will and decree – for nothing happens except by Allah's permission. Yet, instead of humbling himself and seeking forgiveness, he uses this as a pretext to justify his enmity toward the children of Adam. He swears an oath by Allah's very act of leading him astray, promising to dedicate all his efforts to beautifying sins and disobedience in the eyes of humanity.

His strategy is twofold: first, he will make the earth and its pleasures appear so alluring that people will become engrossed in worldly desires and forget their purpose of worship; second, he will actively work to misguide every single descendant of Adam, turning them away from the straight path of Allah. He vows to leave no stone unturned in his mission to make sin look attractive, to make obedience seem burdensome, and to make the Hereafter seem distant and unimportant.

This verse reveals the depth of Satan's enmity toward us. He does not merely wish to misguide some – he wants to misguide *all* of humanity. His promise is not a temporary whim but a lifelong, relentless campaign against every soul that walks the earth. He beautifies sins in countless forms: he makes arrogance look like confidence, greed look like ambition, and disobedience look like freedom. He whispers into the hearts of people, making them forget their Creator and their ultimate return to Him.

Yet, in this very verse lies a profound lesson for the believer. If Satan has sworn to misguide us, then we must swear – with even greater determination – to remain steadfast upon the guidance of Allah. The fact that Iblis said *"except Your chosen servants among them"* (as mentioned in the following verse) reminds us that sincere, devoted servants of Allah are protected from his whispers. The more we draw closer to Allah through sincere worship, the less power Satan has over us.

A Call to Reflection and Action:

Dear Muslim, know that this enemy has declared war upon you from the very beginning of creation. He has studied your weaknesses, knows your desires, and waits patiently for moments of heedlessness. But Allah, in His infinite mercy, has given you the weapons to defeat him: the Qur'an, the Sunnah, sincere repentance, and the constant remembrance of Allah. Every time you resist a sin, you frustrate Iblis. Every time you choose obedience over disobedience, you prove his promise hollow. Every time you seek refuge in Allah from him, you remind yourself that Allah's protection is greater than Satan's plots.

Let this verse strengthen your resolve. If Satan has promised to beautify sin for you, then you must promise yourself to beautify your character with faith, patience, and gratitude. If he has promised to misguide you, then you must promise Allah to seek His guidance every single day. The battlefield is this earth, the weapons are your faith and actions, and the victory belongs to those who remain steadfast upon the path of their Lord. Do not let this enemy distract you from the eternal bliss that awaits the righteous – for his promises are false, but Allah's promise of Paradise is true and everlasting.