Surah An-Nisa — Verse 120

Word Meanings:

• يَعِدُهُمْ (Ya'iduhum): He (Satan) promises them — i.e., gives false promises.
• يُمَنِّيهِمْ (Yumanneehim): He fills them with vain desires and wishful thinking — i.e., makes them hope for things that will never come true.
• غُرُورًا (Ghurooran): Delusion, deception, and falsehood — something that has no reality behind it.

Tafsir (Explanation):

In this verse, Allah informs us of the nature of Satan's dealings with those who follow him. Satan makes grand promises to his followers — promising them long life, wealth, power, and the fulfillment of their worldly desires. He fills their hearts with vain hopes and empty wishes, making them believe that they will achieve success and happiness by following his path. He whispers to them that they have plenty of time to repent later, that they can enjoy this life freely and then turn back to Allah when they are old, or that their sins are not serious enough to matter.

However, Allah exposes the reality of these promises: "And Satan promises them nothing but delusion." Every single promise Satan makes is a lie — a mirage that appears like water in the desert but vanishes upon approach. He has no power to fulfill any of his promises, and his only goal is to drag his followers into destruction alongside him. His promises are like a merchant who sells worthless goods with beautiful packaging — the buyer is deceived by the appearance but finds nothing of value inside.

This verse serves as a powerful warning to every believer: do not be fooled by the temporary allure of sin or the false promises of worldly gain at the expense of your faith. Satan's currency is deception, and his ultimate aim is your ruin in this life and the Hereafter. But Allah, the Most Merciful, has given you the truth and the guidance to see through this deception. When you feel tempted by a sin, remember that the pleasure it offers is fleeting and hollow, while the peace of obedience to Allah is lasting and real. The believer who trusts in Allah's promises — which are always true and always fulfilled — has no need for the empty promises of the accursed enemy. Choose the path of truth, and you will find that Allah's rewards far exceed anything this world or Satan can ever offer.