Surah Al-Baqarah — Verse 102

Key Words and Their Meanings:

• Tatlū (تَتْلُو): Here it means to recite, narrate, or convey—specifically, what the devils fabricated and spread.
• ʿAlā mulki Sulaymān (عَلَىٰ مُلْكِ سُلَيْمَانَ): During the time of Prophet Sulayman’s (Solomon’s) reign.
• Hārūt and Mārūt (هَارُوتَ وَمَارُوتَ): Two angels sent by Allah to the city of Babylon as a test for humanity.
• Fitnah (فِتْنَة): A trial, test, or tribulation—here, a divine test of faith.
• Khalāq (خَلَاق): A share, portion, or good fortune—especially in the Hereafter.
• Sharaw (شَرَوْا): They sold or traded away something—here, they sold their own souls and eternal success.

The Tafsir (Explanation):

This noble verse lifts the veil on a dark chapter in the history of the Children of Israel, revealing how they abandoned the pure guidance of Allah and instead followed the falsehood that the devils had fabricated and spread during the reign of Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him). The devils had falsely claimed that Sulayman’s immense kingdom was built upon sorcery and magic, not upon the blessings and prophethood granted to him by Allah. But Allah immediately clears His beloved Prophet’s name: “And Sulayman did not disbelieve” — he was entirely innocent of such practices, for he was a righteous servant and a true prophet of Allah. It was the devils themselves who disbelieved, for they took it upon themselves to teach mankind the forbidden art of magic, corrupting their faith and leading them astray.

The verse then mentions the story of Hārūt and Mārūt, two angels sent to Babylon as a divine test. Allah, in His infinite wisdom, allowed these angels to teach certain aspects of magic to the people—but only after clearly warning each learner: “We are but a trial, so do not disbelieve.” This was a mercy and a clarification: whoever chose to learn and practice magic would be knowingly committing an act of disbelief, while whoever refrained would remain upon faith. Yet, despite this warning, some people still learned from them that which sowed discord and hatred between husbands and wives, tearing families apart. This shows the destructive nature of magic and how it corrupts the most sacred bonds of love and trust.

However, the verse establishes a crucial truth about the limits of magic: “But they cannot harm anyone except by Allah’s permission.” Nothing occurs in this universe except by the will and decree of Allah. Sorcerers may delude themselves and others with their tricks, but their power is constrained and ultimately subject to Allah’s command. They cannot bring benefit or harm except what Allah has ordained.

The verse then condemns the folly of those who pursue such harmful knowledge: “And they learn what harms them and does not benefit them.” Magic offers no true gain—only loss in this world and the next. The Jews of that time knew full well that whoever chose magic over the Book of Allah would have “no share in the Hereafter.” They had this knowledge, yet they still sold their souls for something so vile and worthless. “How evil is that for which they sold themselves, if only they had known!” — meaning, if they had truly understood the consequences, they would never have made such a disastrous trade.

A Call to Reflection and Faith:

Dear reader, this verse is a powerful reminder of the value of faith and the danger of straying from Allah’s guidance. The devils have always sought to mislead humanity, whether through magic, superstition, or false ideologies. But Allah, in His mercy, has sent us the Qur’an and the Sunnah as a complete protection. He has warned us clearly, just as He warned the people of Babylon through the two angels: “Do not disbelieve.”

Let us learn from this story and hold fast to the rope of Allah. Do not trade the eternal bliss of Paradise for the fleeting illusions of this world. The sorcerers and their followers gain nothing but loss, while the believers who trust in Allah and follow His messengers gain everything. Allah’s knowledge is perfect, His decree is just, and His promise is true. So choose the path of faith, for it is the path of true success—in this life and the life to come. And never forget: no harm can touch you except by Allah’s permission, so place your trust in Him alone, and He will suffice you.