Verses in the Qur’an about Satan (Shayṭān) and Iblīs: Classical Versus Modern Commentary

Presented by Zia H Shah MD Abstract:The Qur’an contains numerous verses referring to Satan (Arabic: Shayṭān) and Iblīs, the being who refused to bow to Adam. Classical Qur’anic commentators viewed Satan/Iblīs as a literal, physical being – an enemy of mankind operating externally. Today, informed by modern psychology and philosophy, many readers interpret these same…

November 6, 2025

24 minutes

allah, islam, Quran, religion, sunnah

Presented by Zia H Shah MD

Abstract:
The Qur’an contains numerous verses referring to Satan (Arabic: Shayṭān) and Iblīs, the being who refused to bow to Adam. Classical Qur’anic commentators viewed Satan/Iblīs as a literal, physical being – an enemy of mankind operating externally. Today, informed by modern psychology and philosophy, many readers interpret these same verses metaphorically. The internal whispers of “Shayṭān” can be seen as representing inner impulses or the lower self, analogous in some ways to concepts like Freud’s id vs. superego, or as symbols of human ego, desire, and temptation. We inevitably bring our contemporary knowledge and worldview to our reading of scripture. As a result, Qur’anic commentary continues to evolve, finding new layers of meaning in the ancient text. Below is a comprehensive collection of all Qur’anic verses that mention Satan (Shayṭān) or Iblīs by name, presented with the original Arabic text and the English translation by M. M. Pickthall. Each verse is annotated with its chapter and verse number for reference.

Surah Al-Baqarah (2) – The Cow

2:34
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ وَاسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ
“And when We said unto the angels: Prostrate yourselves before Adam, they fell prostrate, all save Iblis. He demurred through pride, and so became a disbeliever.”
2:36
فَأَزَلَّهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ ۖ وَقُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ
“But Satan caused them to deflect therefrom and expelled them from the (happy) state in which they were; and We said: Fall down, one of you a foe unto the other!* There shall be for you on earth a habitation and provision for a time.”*
2:168
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُوا مِمَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ
“O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and wholesome in the earth, and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemy for you.”
2:169
إِنَّمَا يَأْمُرُكُمْ بِالسُّوءِ وَالْفَحْشَاءِ وَأَنْ تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
“He (the devil) enjoineth upon you only the evil and the foul, and that ye should tell concerning Allah that which ye know not.”
2:208
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ادْخُلُوا فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ
“O ye who believe! Come, all of you, into submission (unto Him); and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemy for you.”
2:268
الشَّيْطَانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الْفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُمْ بِالْفَحْشَاءِ ۖ وَاللَّهُ يَعِدُكُمْ مَغْفِرَةً مِنْهُ وَفَضْلًا ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
“The devil promiseth you destitution and enjoineth on you lewdness. But Allah promiseth you forgiveness from Himself with bounty. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.”
2:275
الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ الرِّبَا لَا يَقُومُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَقُومُ الَّذِي يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنَ الْمَسِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا الْبَيْعُ مِثْلُ الرِّبَا ۗ وَأَحَلَّ اللَّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَا ۚ فَمَنْ جَاءَهُ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِ فَانْتَهَىٰ فَلَهُ مَا سَلَفَ وَأَمْرُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ ۖ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
“Those who devour usury shall not rise up save as he ariseth whom the devil hath prostrated by (his) touch. That is because they say: Trade is just like usury; whereas Allah permitteth trading and forbiddeth usury. He unto whom an admonition from his Lord cometh, and (he) refraineth (in obedience thereto), he shall keep (the profits of) that which is past, and his affair (henceforth) is with Allah. As for him who returneth (to usury)—Such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein.”

Surah Āl ‘Imrān (3) – The Family of Imran

3:36
فَلَمَّا وَضَعَتْهَا قَالَتْ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَضَعْتُهَا أُنْثَىٰ وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا وَضَعَتْ وَلَيْسَ الذَّكَرُ كَالْأُنْثَىٰ ۖ وَإِنِّي سَمَّيْتُهَا مَرْيَمَ ۖ وَإِنِّي أُعِيذُهَا بِكَ وَذُرِّيَّتَهَا مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
“And when she was delivered she said: My Lord! Lo! I am delivered of a female – Allah knew best of what she was delivered – the male is not as the female; and I have named her Mary, and I commend her and her offspring to Thy protection from Satan the outcast.”
3:155
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوْا مِنْكُمْ يَوْمَ الْتَقَى الْجَمْعَانِ إِنَّمَا اسْتَزَلَّهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ بِبَعْضِ مَا كَسَبُوا ۖ وَلَقَدْ عَفَا اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٌ
“Lo! those of you who turned back on the day when the two hosts met, Satan alone it was who caused them to backslide, by reason of some of that which they have earned. Now Allah hath forgiven them. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Clement.”
3:175
إِنَّمَا ذَٰلِكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَاءَهُ فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ
“It is only the devil who would make (men) fear his partisans. Fear them not; but fear Me, if ye are true believers.”

Surah An-Nisā’ (4) – The Women

4:38
وَالَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ رِئَاءَ النَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَلَا بِالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۗ وَمَنْ يَكُنِ الشَّيْطَانُ لَهُ قَرِينًا فَسَاءَ قَرِينًا
“And (also) those who spend their wealth in order to be seen of men, and believe not in Allah nor the Last Day. Whoso taketh Satan for a comrade, a bad comrade hath he.”
4:60
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّهُمْ آمَنُوا بِمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يَتَحَاكَمُوا إِلَى الطَّاغُوتِ وَقَدْ أُمِرُوا أَنْ يَكْفُرُوا بِهِ وَيُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ يُضِلَّهُمْ ضَلَالًا بَعِيدًا
“Hast thou not seen those who pretend that they believe in that which is revealed unto thee and that which was revealed before thee, how they would go for judgment (in their disputes) to false deities (ṭāghūt) when they have been ordered to abjure them? Satan would mislead them far astray.”
4:76
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ الطَّاغُوتِ فَقَاتِلُوا أَوْلِيَاءَ الشَّيْطَانِ ۖ إِنَّ كَيْدَ الشَّيْطَانِ كَانَ ضَعِيفًا
“Those who believe do battle for the cause of Allah; and those who disbelieve do battle for the cause of idols (false gods). So fight the minions of the devil; Lo! the devil’s strategy is ever weak.”
4:83
وَإِذَا جَاءَهُمْ أَمْرٌ مِنَ الْأَمْنِ أَوِ الْخَوْفِ أَذَاعُوا بِهِ ۖ وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ لَاتَّبَعْتُمُ الشَّيْطَانَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
“And if any tidings, whether of safety or fear, come unto them, they noise it abroad; … If it had not been for the grace of Allah and His mercy ye would have followed Satan, save a few (of you).”
4:117–121 (Speech of Satan and his followers):
إِنْ يَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِهِ إِلَّا إِنَاثًا وَإِنْ يَدْعُونَ إِلَّا شَيْطَانًا مَرِيدًا – 4:117
لَعَنَهُ اللَّهُ ۖ وَقَالَ لَأَتَّخِذَنَّ مِنْ عِبَادِكَ نَصِيبًا مَفْرُوضًا – 4:118
وَلَأُضِلَّنَّهُمْ وَلَأُمَنِّيَنَّهُمْ وَلَآمُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُبَتِّكُنَّ آذَانَ الْأَنْعَامِ وَلَآمُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُغَيِّرُنَّ خَلْقَ اللَّهِ ۚ وَمَنْ يَتَّخِذِ الشَّيْطَانَ وَلِيًّا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ فَقَدْ خَسِرَ خُسْرَانًا مُبِينًا – 4:119
يَعِدُهُمْ وَيُمَنِّيهِمْ ۖ وَمَا يَعِدُهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ إِلَّا غُرُورًا – 4:120
أُولَٰئِكَ مَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ عَنْهَا مَحِيصًا – 4:121
“They invoke in His stead only females; they pray to none else than Satan, a rebel (4:117) whom Allah cursed, and he said: ‘Surely I will take of Thy bondmen an appointed portion (4:118); and surely I will lead them astray, and surely I will arouse desires in them, and surely I will command them and they will cut the cattle’s ears, and surely I will command them and they will change Allah’s creation.’ Whoso chooseth Satan for a patron instead of Allah is verily a loser and his loss is manifest (4:119). He promiseth them and stirreth up desires in them, and Satan promiseth them only to beguile (4:120). For such, their habitation will be hell, and they will find no refuge therefrom (4:121).”

Surah Al-Mā’idah (5) – The Table Spread

5:90
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنْصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“O ye who believe! Strong drink and games of chance and idols and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan’s handiwork. Leave it aside in order that ye may succeed.”
5:91
إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاءَ فِي الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَعَنِ الصَّلَاةِ ۖ فَهَلْ أَنْتُمْ مُنْتَهُونَ
“Satan seeketh only to cast among you enmity and hatred by means of strong drink and games of chance, and to turn you from remembrance of Allah and from (His) worship. Will ye then have done (with them)?”

Surah Al-An‘ām (6) – The Cattle

6:43
فَلَوْلَا إِذْ جَاءَهُمْ بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُوا وَلَٰكِنْ قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
“If only, when our disaster came on them, they had been humble! But their hearts were hardened, and Satan made all that they used to do seem fair unto them.”
6:68
وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ الَّذِينَ يَخُوضُونَ فِي آيَاتِنَا فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَخُوضُوا فِي حَدِيثٍ غَيْرِهِ ۚ وَإِمَّا يُنْسِيَنَّكَ الشَّيْطَانُ فَلَا تَقْعُدْ بَعْدَ الذِّكْرَىٰ مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ
“And when thou seest those who meddle with Our revelations, withdraw from them until they meddle with another topic. And if the devil cause thee to forget, sit not, after the remembrance, with the congregation of wrong-doers.”
6:71
قُلْ أَنَدْعُو مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنْفَعُنَا وَلَا يَضُرُّنَا وَنُرَدُّ عَلَىٰ أَعْقَابِنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَانَا اللَّهُ كَالَّذِي اسْتَهْوَتْهُ الشَّيَاطِينُ فِي الْأَرْضِ حَيْرَانَ لَهُ أَصْحَابٌ يَدْعُونَهُ إِلَى الْهُدَى ائْتِنَا ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى اللَّهِ هُوَ الْهُدَىٰ ۖ وَأُمِرْنَا لِنُسْلِمَ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
“Say: Shall we cry, instead of unto Allah, unto that which neither profiteth us nor hurteth us, and shall we turn on our heels after Allah hath guided us – like one whom the devils have infatuated (and lured) to bewilderment in the earth, who hath companions who invite him to the guidance (saying): ‘Come unto us’? Say: Lo! Allah’s guidance is the guidance, and we are commanded to surrender to the Lord of the Worlds.”
6:112
وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ عَدُوًّا شَيَاطِينَ الْإِنْسِ وَالْجِنِّ يُوحِي بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَىٰ بَعْضٍ زُخْرُفَ الْقَوْلِ غُرُورًا ۚ وَلَوْ شَاءَ رَبُّكَ مَا فَعَلُوهُ فَذَرْهُمْ وَمَا يَفْتَرُونَ
“Thus have We appointed unto every Prophet an adversary – devils of humankind and jinn who inspire in one another plausible discourse through guile. If thy Lord willed, they would not do so; so leave them alone with their devising.”
6:121
وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا مِمَّا لَمْ يُذْكَرِ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَإِنَّهُ لَفِسْقٌ ۗ وَإِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلَىٰ أَوْلِيَائِهِمْ لِيُجَادِلُوكُمْ ۚ وَإِنْ أَطَعْتُمُوهُمْ إِنَّكُمْ لَمُشْرِكُونَ
“And eat not of that whereon Allah’s name hath not been mentioned, for lo! it is abomination. Lo! the devils do inspire their minions to dispute with you. But if ye obey them, ye will be in truth idolaters.”
6:142
وَمِنَ الْأَنْعَامِ حَمُولَةً وَفَرْشًا ۚ كُلُوا مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ
“And of the cattle (He produceth) some for burden, some for food. Eat of that which Allah hath provided for you, and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open foe to you.”

Surah Al-A‘rāf (7) – The Heights

7:11–18 (The rebellion of Iblīs):
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ صَوَّرْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ لَمْ يَكُنْ مِنَ السَّاجِدِينَ – 7:11
قَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَلَّا تَسْجُدَ إِذْ أَمَرْتُكَ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِنْهُ ۖ خَلَقْتَنِي مِنْ نَارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُ مِنْ طِينٍ – 7:12
قَالَ فَاهْبِطْ مِنْهَا فَمَا يَكُونُ لَكَ أَنْ تَتَكَبَّرَ فِيهَا ۖ فَاخْرُجْ إِنَّكَ مِنَ الصَّاغِرِينَ – 7:13
قَالَ أَنْظِرْنِي إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ – 7:14
قَالَ إِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنْظَرِينَ – 7:15
قَالَ فَبِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِي لَأَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَاطَكَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ – 7:16
ثُمَّ لَآتِيَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ وَعَنْ أَيْمَانِهِمْ وَعَنْ شَمَائِلِهِمْ ۖ وَلَا تَجِدُ أَكْثَرَهُمْ شَاكِرِينَ – 7:17
قَالَ اخْرُجْ مِنْهَا مَذْءُومًا مَدْحُورًا ۖ لَمَنْ تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنْكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ – 7:18
“And We created you, then fashioned you, then told the angels: Prostrate yourselves before Adam! and they prostrated, save Iblis; he was not of those who make prostration (7:11). He (Allah) said: What hindered thee from prostrating when I commanded thee? (Iblis) said: I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire while him Thou didst create of mud (7:12). He (Allah) said: Then go down hence! It is not for thee to show pride here, so go forth! Lo! thou art of those degraded (7:13). He (Iblis) said: Reprieve me till the day when they are raised (from the dead) (7:14). He (Allah) said: Lo! thou art of those reprieved (7:15). He (Iblis) said: Now, because Thou hast sent me astray, verily I shall lurk in ambush for them on Thy Right Path (7:16). Then I shall come upon them from before them and from behind them and from their right and from their left, and Thou wilt not find most of them thankful (for Thy mercies) (7:17). He (Allah) said: Go forth from hence, degraded, banished. As for such of them as follow thee, surely I will fill hell with all of you (7:18).”
7:20–22 (The temptation of Adam and Eve):
فَوَسْوَسَ لَهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ لِيُبْدِيَ لَهُمَا مَا وُورِيَ عَنْهُمَا مِنْ سَوْآتِهِمَا ۖ وَقَالَ مَا نَهَاكُمَا رَبُّكُمَا عَنْ هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةِ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَا مَلَكَيْنِ أَوْ تَكُونَا مِنَ الْخَالِدِينَ – 7:20
وَقَاسَمَهُمَا إِنِّي لَكُمَا لَمِنَ النَّاصِحِينَ – 7:21
فَدَلَّاهُمَا بِغُرُورٍ ۚ فَلَمَّا ذَاقَا الشَّجَرَةَ بَدَتْ لَهُمَا سَوْآتُهُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخْصِفَانِ عَلَيْهِمَا مِنْ وَرَقِ الْجَنَّةِ ۖ وَنَادَاهُمَا رَبُّهُمَا أَلَمْ أَنْهَكُمَا عَنْ تِلْكُمَا الشَّجَرَةِ وَأَقُلْ لَكُمَا إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمَا عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ – 7:22
“Then Satan whispered to them that he might manifest unto them that which was hidden from them of their shame, and he said: Your Lord forbade you from this tree only lest ye should become angels or become of the immortals (7:20). And he swore unto them (saying): Lo! I am a sincere adviser unto you (7:21). Thus did he lead them on with guile. And when they tasted of the tree their shame was manifest to them and they began to hide (by heaping) on themselves some of the leaves of the Garden. And their Lord called them, (saying): Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you: Lo! Satan is an open enemy to you? (7:22).”
7:27
يَا بَنِي آدَمَ لَا يَفْتِنَنَّكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ كَمَا أَخْرَجَ أَبَوَيْكُمْ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ يَنْزِعُ عَنْهُمَا لِبَاسَهُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوْآتِهِمَا ۗ إِنَّهُ يَرَاكُمْ هُوَ وَقَبِيلُهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا تَرَوْنَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا الشَّيَاطِينَ أَوْلِيَاءَ لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
“O Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you as he caused your (first) parents to go forth from the Garden and tore off from them their robe (of innocence) that he might manifest their shame to them. Lo! he seeth you, he and his tribe, from whence ye see him not. Lo! We have made the devils friends (only) to those who believe not.”
7:30
فَرِيقًا هَدَىٰ وَفَرِيقًا حَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ الضَّلَالَةُ ۗ إِنَّهُمُ اتَّخَذُوا الشَّيَاطِينَ أَوْلِيَاءَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ مُهْتَدُونَ
“A party hath He led aright, while error hath just hold over (another) party, for lo! they choose the devils for protecting supporters instead of Allah and deem that they are rightly guided.”
7:175–176
وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ الَّذِي آتَيْنَاهُ آيَاتِنَا فَانْسَلَخَ مِنْهَا فَأَتْبَعَهُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَكَانَ مِنَ الْغَاوِينَ – 7:175
وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَرَفَعْنَاهُ بِهَا وَلَٰكِنَّهُ أَخْلَدَ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ ۚ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ إِنْ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْهِ يَلْهَثْ أَوْ تَتْرُكْهُ يَلْهَث ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا ۚ فَاقْصُصِ الْقَصَصَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ – 7:176
“Recite unto them the tale of him to whom We gave Our revelations, but he slipped away from them, so Satan overtook him and he became of those who go astray (7:175). And had We willed We could have raised him by their means, but he clung to the earth and followed his own lust… Such is the similitude of the people who deny Our revelations… (7:176).”
7:200–201
وَإِمَّا يَنْزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ – 7:200
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا إِذَا مَسَّهُمْ طَائِفٌ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ تَذَكَّرُوا فَإِذَا هُمْ مُبْصِرُونَ – 7:201
“And if a provocation from the devil afflict thee, then seek refuge in Allah. Lo! He is Hearer, Knower (7:200). Lo! those who ward off (evil), when a glamour from the devil troubleth them, they remember, and behold them seers! (7:201).”

Surah Al-Anfāl (8) – The Spoils of War

8:11
إِذْ يُغَشِّيْكُمُ النُّعَاسَ أَمَنَةً مِنْهُ وَيُنَزِّلُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً لِيُطَهِّرَكُمْ بِهِ وَيُذْهِبَ عَنْكُمْ رِجْزَ الشَّيْطَانِ وَلِيَرْبِطَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتَ بِهِ الْأَقْدَامَ
“When He made the slumber fall upon you as a reassurance from Him and sent down water from the sky upon you, that He might cleanse you thereby and take away from you the fear of Satan, and make strong your hearts and firm (your) feet thereby.”
8:48
وَإِذْ زَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ وَقَالَ لَا غَالِبَ لَكُمُ الْيَوْمَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَإِنِّي جَارٌ لَكُمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا تَرَاءَتِ الْفِئَتَانِ نَكَصَ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ وَقَالَ إِنِّي بَرِيءٌ مِنْكُمْ ۖ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ مَا لَا تَرَوْنَ ۖ إِنِّي أَخَافُ اللَّهَ ۚ وَاللَّهُ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
“And when Satan made their deeds seem fair to them and said: No one of mankind can conquer you this day, for I am your protector. But when the two armies came in sight of each other, he took flight, saying: Lo! I am guiltless of you. Lo! I see that which ye see not. I fear Allah. And Allah is severe in punishment!”

Surah Yūsuf (12) – Joseph

12:5
قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تَقْصُصْ رُؤْيَاكَ عَلَىٰ إِخْوَتِكَ فَيَكِيدُوا لَكَ كَيْدًا ۖ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لِلْإِنْسَانِ عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ
“He (Jacob) said: O my dear son! Tell not thy vision to thy brethren, lest they plot a plot against thee. Lo! Satan is for man an open foe.”
12:42
وَقَالَ لِلَّذِي ظَنَّ أَنَّهُ نَاجٍ مِنْهُمَا اذْكُرْنِي عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ ۖ فَأَنْسَاهُ الشَّيْطَانُ ذِكْرَ رَبِّهِ ۚ فَلَبِثَ فِي السِّجْنِ بِضْعَ سِنِينَ
“And he (Joseph) said unto him of the two who survived, and (now) he thought to himself, Mention me in the presence of your lord. But Satan caused him to forget to mention it to his lord, so he (Joseph) stayed in prison for some years.”
12:100
… وَقَدْ أَحْسَنَ بِي إِذْ أَخْرَجَنِي مِنَ السِّجْنِ وَجَاءَ بِكُمْ مِنَ الْبَدْوِ مِنْ بَعْدِ أَنْ نَزَغَ الشَّيْطَانُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ إِخْوَتِي ۚ…
“…[Joseph said:] …And He was indeed good to me, when He took me out of prison and brought you (all) from the desert, after Satan had made strife between me and my brethren…”

Surah Ibrāhīm (14) – Abraham

14:22
وَقَالَ الشَّيْطَانُ لَمَّا قُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَعَدَكُمْ وَعْدَ الْحَقِّ وَوَعَدْتُكُمْ فَأَخْلَفْتُكُمْ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ لِي عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ سُلْطَانٍ إِلَّا أَنْ دَعَوْتُكُمْ فَاسْتَجَبْتُمْ لِي ۖ فَلَا تَلُومُونِي وَلُومُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ ۚ مَا أَنَا بِمُصْرِخِكُمْ وَمَا أَنْتُمْ بِمُصْرِخِيَّ ۖ إِنِّي كَفَرْتُ بِمَا أَشْرَكْتُمُونِ مِنْ قَبْلُ ۗ إِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
“And Satan saith, when the matter hath been decided: Lo! Allah promised you a promise of truth; and I promised you, then failed you. And I had no power over you save that I called unto you and ye obeyed me. So blame not me, but blame yourselves. I cannot help you, nor can ye help me, Lo! I disbelieved in that which ye before ascribed to me. Lo! for wrong-doers is a painful doom.”

Surah Al-Ḥijr (15) – The Rocky Tract

15:17–18
وَحَفِظْنَاهَا مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ رَجِيمٍ – 15:17
إِلَّا مَنِ اسْتَرَقَ السَّمْعَ فَأَتْبَعَهُ شِهَابٌ مُبِينٌ – 15:18
“And We have guarded it (the sky) from every outcast devil (15:17), save him who stealeth the hearing, and then a clear flame pursueth him (15:18).”
15:28–43 (The fall of Iblīs – similar to 7:11–18 above):
… قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنْظِرْنِي إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ – 15:36
قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنْظَرِينَ – 15:37
إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْوَقْتِ الْمَعْلُومِ – 15:38
قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِي لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ – 15:39
إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُخْلَصِينَ – 15:40
قَالَ هَٰذَا صِرَاطٌ عَلَيَّ مُسْتَقِيمٌ – 15:41
إِنَّ عِبَادِي لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَانٌ إِلَّا مَنِ اتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ الْغَاوِينَ – 15:42
وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَوْعِدُهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ – 15:43
(Allah said to Iblis:) “Lo! My servants – over them thou hast no power, save such of the misled as follow thee (15:42). And lo! hell will surely be the promised place for them all (15:43).” (See verses 15:28–41 in the full Qur’an text for the complete dialog, which parallels the account in 7:11–18 above.)

Surah An-Naḥl (16) – The Bee

16:63
تَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَىٰ أُمَمٍ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ فَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَهُوَ وَلِيُّهُمُ الْيَوْمَ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
“By Allah, We verily sent (messengers) unto the nations before thee, but the devil made their deeds fair-seeming unto them, so he is their patron (in this world) this day, and theirs will be a painful doom.”
16:98–100
فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ – 16:98
إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ – 16:99
إِنَّمَا سُلْطَانُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَهُ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ بِهِ مُشْرِكُونَ – 16:100
“And when thou recitest the Qur’an, seek refuge in Allah from Satan the outcast (16:98). Lo! he hath no power over those who believe and put trust in their Lord (16:99). His power is only over those who make a friend of him, and those who ascribe partners unto Him (Allah) (16:100).”

Surah Al-Isrā’ (17) – The Night Journey

17:27
إِنَّ الْمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوا إِخْوَانَ الشَّيَاطِينِ ۖ وَكَانَ الشَّيْطَانُ لِرَبِّهِ كفورًا
“Lo! the squanderers were ever brothers of the devils, and the devil was ever an ingrate to his Lord.”
17:53
وَقُلْ لِعِبَادِي يَقُولُوا الَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ ۚ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنْزَغُ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلْإِنْسَانِ عَدُوًّا مُبِينًا
“Tell My bondmen to speak that which is kindlier. Lo! the devil soweth discord among them. Lo! the devil is an open enemy to man.”
17:61–65 (Iblīs in the story of Adam, repeated):
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ ۖ قَالَ أَأَسْجُدُ لِمَنْ خَلَقْتَ طِينًا – 17:61
قَالَ أَرَأَيْتَكَ هَٰذَا الَّذِي كَرَّمْتَ عَلَيَّ لَئِنْ أَخَّرْتَنِ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ لَأَحْتَنِكَنَّ ذُرِّيَّتَهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا – 17:62
قَالَ اذْهَبْ فَمَنْ تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ فَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ جَزَاؤُكُمْ جَزَاءً مَوْفُورًا – 17:63
وَاسْتَفْزِزْ مَنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ مِنْهُمْ بِصَوْتِكَ وَأَجْلِبْ عَلَيْهِمْ بِخَيْلِكَ وَرَجِلِكَ وَشَارِكْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَوْلَادِ وَعِدْهُمْ ۚ وَمَا يَعِدُهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ إِلَّا غُرُورًا – 17:64
إِنَّ عِبَادِي لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَانٌ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِرَبِّكَ وَكِيلًا – 17:65
(Iblis refused to prostrate to Adam – see 17:61.) He said: “Seest Thou this (creature) whom Thou hast honoured above me? If Thou give me grace until the Day of Resurrection, I verily will seize his offspring, except but a few” (17:62). (Allah) said: “Go, and whoever of them will follow you – surely hell will be your recompense, an ample recompense” (17:63). “And mislead whomever of them you can with your voice, and assault them with your cavalry and infantry, and be a partner in their wealth and children, and promise them.” And Satan promises them only to deceive (17:64). “Lo! My (faithful) servants – over them you have no power. And your Lord is sufficient as (their) guardian” (17:65).

Surah Al-Kahf (18) – The Cave

18:50
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ ۖ كَانَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِ ۗ أَفَتَتَّخِذُونَهُ وَذُرِّيَّتَهُ أَوْلِيَاءَ مِنْ دُونِي وَهُمْ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ ۚ بِئْسَ لِلظَّالِمِينَ بَدَلًا
“And (remember) when We said unto the angels: Prostrate yourselves unto Adam, and they prostrated, all save Iblis. He was of the jinn, so he rebelled against his Lord’s command. Will ye choose him and his seed as protecting friends instead of Me, when they are an enemy unto you? Calamitous is the exchange for evil-doers!”
18:63
قَالَ أَرَأَيْتَ إِذْ أَوَيْنَا إِلَى الصَّخْرَةِ فَإِنِّي نَسِيتُ الْحُوتَ ۖ وَمَا أَنْسَانِيهُ إِلَّا الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ أَذْكُرَهُ ۚ وَاتَّخَذَ سَبِيلَهُ فِي الْبَحْرِ عَجَبًا
“He said: Didst thou see, when we took refuge on the rock, and I forgot the fish – and none but Satan caused me to forget to mention it – and it took its way into the waters by a marvel?”

Surah Maryam (19) – Mary

19:44–45
يَا أَبَتِ لَا تَعْبُدِ الشَّيْطَانَ ۖ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَصِيًّا – 19:44
يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ يَمَسَّكَ عَذَابٌ مِنَ الرَّحْمَٰنِ فَتَكُونَ لِلشَّيْطَانِ وَلِيًّا – 19:45
“O my father! Serve not the devil. Lo! the devil is a rebel unto the Beneficent (Allah) (19:44). O my father! Lo! I fear lest a punishment from the Beneficent overtake thee, so that thou become a comrade of the devil (19:45).”
19:68
فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَحْشُرَنَّهُمْ وَالشَّيَاطِينَ ثُمَّ لَنُحْضِرَنَّهُمْ حَوْلَ جَهَنَّمَ جِثِيًّا
“And, by thy Lord, verily We shall assemble them and the devils, then We shall bring them, crouching, around hell.”
19:83
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّا أَرْسَلْنَا الشَّيَاطِينَ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ تَؤُزُّهُمْ أَزًّا
“Hast thou not seen that We have set the devils on the disbelievers to confound them with confusion?”

Surah Ṭā-Hā (20) – “Ṭā-Hā”

20:116–117
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ – 20:116
فَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ إِنَّ هَٰذَا عَدُوٌّ لَكَ وَلِزَوْجِكَ فَلَا يُخْرِجَنَّكُمَا مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ فَتَشْقَىٰ – 20:117
“And when We said unto the angels: Prostrate yourselves before Adam, they fell prostrate, all save Iblis; he refused (20:116). Therefor we said: O Adam! This is an enemy unto thee and unto thy wife, so let him not drive you both out of the Garden so that thou come to toil. (20:117)”
20:120–121
فَوَسْوَسَ إِلَيْهِ الشَّيْطَانُ قَالَ يَا آدَمُ هَلْ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَىٰ شَجَرَةِ الْخُلْدِ وَمُلْكٍ لَا يَبْلَىٰ – 20:120
فَأَكَلا مِنْهَا فَبَدَتْ لَهُمَا سَوْآتُهُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخْصِفَانِ عَلَيْهِمَا مِنْ وَرَقِ الْجَنَّةِ ۚ وَعَصَىٰ آدَمُ رَبَّهُ فَغَوَىٰ – 20:121
“But the devil whispered to him, saying: O Adam! Shall I show thee the tree of immortality and power that wasteth not away? (20:120). Then they both ate thereof, so that their shame became apparent unto them, and they began to hide by heaping on themselves some of the leaves of the Garden. And Adam disobeyed his Lord, so his life became evil (unto him) (20:121).”

Surah Al-Ḥajj (22) – The Pilgrimage

22:3–4
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يُجَادِلُ فِي اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّبِعُ كُلَّ شَيْطَانٍ مَرِيدٍ – 22:3
كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ مَنْ تَوَلَّاهُ فَأَنَّهُ يُضِلُّهُ وَيَهْدِيهِ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ السَّعِيرِ – 22:4
“And among mankind is he who disputeth concerning Allah without knowledge, and followeth each froward devil (22:3); for him it is decreed that whoso taketh him for friend, he verily will mislead him and will guide him to the punishment of the Flame (22:4).”
22:52–53
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَسُولٍ وَلَا نَبِيٍّ إِلَّا إِذَا تَمَنَّىٰ أَلْقَى الشَّيْطَانُ فِي أُمْنِيَّتِهِ فَيَنْسَخُ اللَّهُ مَا يُلْقِي الشَّيْطَانُ ثُمَّ يُحْكِمُ اللَّهُ آيَاتِهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ – 22:52
لِيَجْعَلَ مَا يُلْقِي الشَّيْطَانُ فِتْنَةً لِلَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ مَرَضٌ وَالْقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۗ وَإِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ لَفِي شِقَاقٍ بَعِيدٍ – 22:53
“And We did not send any messenger or prophet before thee, but when he recited (the message) Satan proposed (opposition) in respect of that which he recited thereof. But Allah abolishes that which Satan proposes. Then Allah establishes His revelations. Allah is Knower, Wise (22:52). So that He may make what the devil proposes a trial for those in whose hearts is a disease and those whose hearts are hardened. Lo! the evil-doers are in open schism (22:53).”

Surah An-Nūr (24) – The Light

24:21
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ وَمَنْ يَتَّبِعْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَإِنَّهُ يَأْمُرُ بِالْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ ۚ وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ مَا زَكَىٰ مِنْكُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ أَبَدًا ۖ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يُزَكِّي مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
“O ye who believe! Follow not the footsteps of the devil. Unto whomsoever followeth the footsteps of the devil, lo! he commandeth filthiness and wrong. Had it not been for the grace of Allah and His mercy unto you, not one of you would ever have grown pure. But Allah causeth whom He will to grow. And Allah is Hearer, Knower.”

Surah Al-Furqān (25) – The Criterion

25:29
لَقَدْ أَضَلَّنِي عَنِ الذِّكْرِ بَعْدَ إِذْ جَاءَنِي ۗ وَكَانَ الشَّيْطَانُ لِلْإِنْسَانِ خَذُولًا
“He verily led me astray from the Reminder after it had reached me. Satan was ever man’s deserter (in the hour of need).”

Surah An-Naml (27) – The Ants

27:24
وَجَدْتُهَا وَقَوْمَهَا يَسْجُدُونَ لِلشَّمْسِ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ فَهُمْ لَا يَهْتَدُونَ
“I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah; and Satan maketh their works fair-seeming unto them, and debarreth them from the Way, so that they go not aright.”
27:25 (continuation, without explicit name):
أَلَّا يَسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ الَّذِي يُخْرِجُ الْخَبْءَ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُخْفُونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ
“(So) that they worship not Allah, Who bringeth forth the hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knoweth what ye hide and what ye proclaim.”

Surah Al-Qaṣaṣ (28) – The Stories

28:15
… فَوَكَزَهُ مُوسَىٰ فَقَضَىٰ عَلَيْهِ ۖ قَالَ هَٰذَا مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۖ إِنَّهُ عَدُوٌّ مُضِلٌّ مُبِينٌ
“…So Moses struck him and killed him. He (Moses) said: This is of Satan’s doing, for lo! he is an enemy, a mere misleader.”

Surah Al-‘Ankabūt (29) – The Spider

29:38
وَعَادًا وَثَمُودَ وَقَدْ تَبَيَّنَ لَكُمْ مِنْ مَسَاكِنِهِمْ ۖ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ وَكَانُوا مُسْتَبْصِرِينَ
“And (the tribes of) ʿĀd and Thamūd! (Their fate) is manifest unto you from their (ruined) dwellings. Satan made their deeds seem fair unto them and so debarred them from the Way, though they were keen observers.”

Surah Luqmān (31) – Luqman

31:21
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوا مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ قَالُوا بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَا وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهِ آبَاءَنَا ۚ أَوَلَوْ كَانَ الشَّيْطَانُ يَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ السَّعِيرِ
“And if it is said unto them, Follow that which Allah hath revealed, they say: Nay, but we follow that wherein we found our fathers. What! Even though the devil were inviting them unto the doom of flame?”

Surah Saba’ (34) – Sheba

34:20–21
وَلَقَدْ صَدَّقَ عَلَيْهِمْ إِبْلِيسُ ظَنَّهُ فَاتَّبَعُوهُ إِلَّا فَرِيقًا مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ – 34:20
وَمَا كَانَ لَهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ سُلْطَانٍ إِلَّا لِنَعْلَمَ مَنْ يُؤْمِنُ بِالْآخِرَةِ مِمَّنْ هُوَ مِنْهَا فِي شَكٍّ ۗ وَرَبُّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَفِيظٌ – 34:21
“And Satan indeed found his calculation true concerning them, for they follow him, all save a group of true believers (34:20). And he had no warrant whatsoever against them, save that We would know him who believeth in the Hereafter from him who is in doubt thereof. And thy Lord (O Muhammad) taketh note of all things (34:21).”

Surah Fāṭir (35) – The Originator

35:5–6
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُمْ بِاللَّهِ الْغَرُورُ – 35:5
إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّا ۚ إِنَّمَا يَدْعُو حِزْبَهُ لِيَكُونُوا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ – 35:6
“O mankind! Lo! the promise of Allah is true. So let not the life of the world beguile you, and let not the (avowed) deceiver beguile you with regard to Allah (35:5). Lo! the devil is an enemy for you, so treat him as an enemy. He only summoneth his faction to be owners of the flaming Fire (35:6).”

Surah Yā-Sīn (36) – “Yā-Sīn”

36:60–62
أَلَمْ أَعْهَدْ إِلَيْكُمْ يَا بَنِي آدَمَ أَنْ لَا تَعْبُدُوا الشَّيْطَانَ ۖ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ – 36:60
وَأَنِ اعْبُدُونِي ۚ هَٰذَا صِرَاطٌ مُسْتَقِيمٌ – 36:61
وَلَقَدْ أَضَلَّ مِنْكُمْ جِبِلًّا كَثِيرًا ۖ أَفَلَمْ تَكُونُوا تَعْقِلُونَ – 36:62
“Did I not charge you, O ye sons of Adam, that ye worship not the devil – Lo! he is your open foe! (36:60) – but that ye worship Me? That was the right path (36:61). Yet he hath led astray of you a great multitude. Had ye then no sense? (36:62)”

Surah Aṣ-Ṣāffāt (37) – Those Ranged in Ranks

37:7–10
وَحِفْظًا مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ مَارِدٍ – 37:7
لَا يَسَّمَّعُونَ إِلَى الْمَلَإِ الْأَعْلَىٰ وَيُقْذَفُونَ مِنْ كُلِّ جَانِبٍ – 37:8
دُحُورًا ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ وَاصِبٌ – 37:9
إِلَّا مَنْ خَطِفَ الْخَطْفَةَ فَأَتْبَعَهُ شِهَابٌ ثَاقِبٌ – 37:10
“And (We have set) a safeguard against every rebellious devil (37:7). They cannot listen to the Highest Chiefs for they are pelted from every side (37:8), outcast, and theirs is a perpetual torment; except him who snatcheth a fragment, and there pursueth him a piercing flame (37:9–10).”

(Note: The phrase “heads of devils” also appears as a simile in 37:65, describing the fruits of the infernal tree Zaqqūm: “Its crop is as it were the heads of devils.” This metaphor highlights the repulsive nature of that tree’s fruit.)

Surah Ṣād (38) – “Ṣād”

38:41
وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا أَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الشَّيْطَانُ بِنُصْبٍ وَعَذَابٍ
“And make mention (O Muhammad) of Our bondman Job (Ayyūb), when he cried unto his Lord (saying): Lo! the devil doth afflict me with distress and torment*.”*
38:74–85 (Iblīs’s final refusal and threat, paralleling 7:11–18 and 15:28–43):
… إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ اسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ – 38:74
قَالَ يَا إِبْلِيسُ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تَسْجُدَ لِمَا خَلَقْتُ بِيَدَيَّ ۖ أَسْتَكْبَرْتَ أَمْ كُنْتَ مِنَ الْعَالِينَ – 38:75
قَالَ أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِنْهُ ۖ خَلَقْتَنِي مِنْ نَارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُ مِنْ طِينٍ – 38:76
قَالَ فَاخْرُجْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيمٌ – 38:77
وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكَ لَعْنَتِي إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ – 38:78
قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنْظِرْنِي إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ – 38:79
قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنْظَرِينَ – 38:80
إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْوَقْتِ الْمَعْلُومِ – 38:81
قَالَ فَبِعِزَّتِكَ لَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ – 38:82
إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُخْلَصِينَ – 38:83
قَالَ فَالْحَقُّ وَالْحَقَّ أَقُولُ – 38:84
لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنْكَ وَمِمَّنْ تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ – 38:85
“(Allah) said: O Iblis! What hindereth thee from falling prostrate before that which I have created with both My hands? Art thou too proud or art thou of the high exalted? (38:75). (Iblis) said: I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire, and him Thou didst create of dust (38:76). (Allah) said: Then go forth from hence, for lo! thou art outcast, and lo! My curse is on thee till the Day of Judgment (38:77–78). (Iblis) said: My Lord! Reprieve me then till the Day when they are raised (38:79). (Allah) said: Lo! thou art of those reprieved until the day of the time appointed (38:80–81). (Iblis) said: Then, by Thy Might, I surely will beguile them every one (38:82), save Thy single-minded slaves among them (38:83). (Allah) said: The Truth is, and the Truth I speak: That I shall fill hell with thee and with such of them as follow thee, together. (38:84–85).”

Surah Fuṣṣilat (41) – Explained in Detail

41:36
وَإِمَّا يَنْزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
“And if a provocation from the devil should cause you mischief, seek refuge in Allah; surely He is the Hearing, the Knowing.”

Surah Az-Zukhruf (43) – The Ornaments of Gold

43:36–38
وَمَنْ يَعْشُ عَنْ ذِكْرِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ نُقَيِّضْ لَهُ شَيْطَانًا فَهُوَ لَهُ قَرِينٌ – 43:36
وَإِنَّهُمْ لَيَصُدُّونَهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ مُهْتَدُونَ – 43:37
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءَنَا قَالَ يَا لَيْتَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَكَ بُعْدَ الْمَشْرِقَيْنِ فَبِئْسَ الْقَرِينُ – 43:38
“And whoever turns himself away from the remembrance of the Beneficent, We assign for him a devil who becomes his companion (43:36); and lo! they (the devils) surely turn them from the way (of guidance), and yet they deem that they are rightly guided (43:37); until, when he cometh unto Us, he saith (to his demon companion): Would that between me and thee there were the distance of the East and the West! – an evil companion (indeed)! (43:38)”
43:62
وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ ۖ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ
“And let not the devil turn you aside. Lo! he is an open enemy for you.”

Surah Muḥammad (47) – Muhammad

47:25
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ ارْتَدُّوا عَلَىٰ أَدْبَارِهِمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الْهُدَى الشَّيْطَانُ سَوَّلَ لَهُمْ وَأَمْلَىٰ لَهُمْ
“Lo! those who turn back after the guidance hath been manifested unto them, Satan hath seduced them, and He giveth them the rein.”

Surah Al-Mujādilah (58) – The Disputation

58:10
إِنَّمَا النَّجْوَىٰ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ لِيَحْزُنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَيْسَ بِضَارِّهِمْ شَيْئًا إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
“Private conversation is only (the work) of the devil, that he may cause grief to those who believe; but he can harm them not at all unless by Allah’s leave. In Allah let believers put their trust.”
58:19–20
اسْتَحْوَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَأَنْسَاهُمْ ذِكْرَ اللَّهِ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ حِزْبُ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ أَلَا إِنَّ حِزْبَ الشَّيْطَانِ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ – 58:19
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُحَادُّونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ أُولَٰئِكَ فِي الْأَذَلِّينَ – 58:20
“Satan hath engrossed them and so hath caused them to forget the remembrance of Allah. They are the devil’s party. Lo! is it not the devil’s party who will be the losers? (58:19). Lo! those who oppose Allah and His messenger, they will be among the lowest (extremely humiliated)… (58:20).”

Surah Al-Ḥashr (59) – The Gathering

59:16–17
كَمَثَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِذْ قَالَ لِلْإِنْسَانِ اكْفُرْ فَلَمَّا كَفَرَ قَالَ إِنِّي بَرِيءٌ مِنْكَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ اللَّهَ رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ – 59:16
فَكَانَ عَاقِبَتَهُمَا أَنَّهُمَا فِي النَّارِ خَالِدَيْنِ فِيهَا ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ جَزَاءُ الظَّالِمِينَ – 59:17
“(Their allies deceived them) like the devil when he saith unto man: ‘Disbelieve!’; then, when he disbelieveth, saith: ‘Lo! I am quit of thee. Lo! I fear Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.’ (59:16). And the consequence for both will be that they are in the Fire, therein abiding. Such is the reward of the wrong-doers (59:17).”

Surah Al-Mulk (67) – Dominion

67:5
وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَصَابِيحَ وَجَعَلْنَاهَا رُجُومًا لِلشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابَ السَّعِيرِ
“And verily We have beautified the world’s heaven with lamps, and We have made them missiles for the devils, and for them We have prepared the doom of flame.”

(Note: Additional references to evil “whisperers” appear in Surah 114, which is often understood as seeking refuge from Satan’s whispers, though it does not name Satan explicitly. See below.)

Surah An-Nās (114) – Mankind

114:4–6
مِنْ شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ – 114:4
الَّذِي يُوَسْوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ النَّاسِ – 114:5
مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ – 114:6
“(I seek refuge) from the evil of the sneaking whisperer (114:4) who whispereth in the hearts of mankind (114:5), from among the jinn and mankind (114:6).”

Epilogue – The Evolving Understanding

Over time, Muslim scholars and believers have continually revisited these verses, asking: Who or what is “Satan” for us, really? In early exegesis, Iblīs and Shayṭān were described as real, external entities – living Jinn or spirits leading humans astray. Classical commentators detailed how Iblīs physically tempted Adam, or how unseen devils whisper into human hearts. This traditional view treats Satan as a personal external tempter and an embodiment of evil.

In the light of modern knowledge, many today read these same verses more symbolically or psychologically. The Qur’an’s description of Satan “whispering” evil thoughts is often seen as a metaphor for our own inner voices of temptation, negative impulses, id in Freudian terminology, or desires. The Qur’an says “the devil made their deeds seem fair to them” – a phenomenon we recognize in psychology as rationalization or self-deception. The portrayal of Satan “promising you poverty” when you consider charity (2:268) resonates with the inner fear and greed that one must overcome. Some find parallels between the Qur’anic Shayṭān and what Freud called the id – the instinctual, selfish drives – versus the “angelic” inclinations akin to the superego (moral conscience).

Indeed, when the Qur’an warns “Do not follow the footsteps of Satan”, a modern reader may interpret this as “Do not follow base instincts or destructive habits”. The enduring message is that evil can come from within as much as from without. Satan’s promise, “I will mislead them and arouse in them vain desires” (4:119), can describe our capacity for self-sabotage and illusion. In this way, Iblīs’ refusal to bow (symbolizing pride and rebellion) is not just the story of a distant spirit, but a mirror for the human ego that refuses to submit to higher principles.

Crucially, the Qur’an itself supports a multi-layered understanding. It acknowledges that Satan “has no power” over sincere believers (16:99, 17:65) – implying humans have responsibility and agency. It also describes “devils among humans and jinn” (6:112), indicating that “satanic” influences can be both supernatural and human (social). The term “Shayāṭīn” (devils) can even refer to evil people. Thus, the struggle against Satan can be read as the moral struggle within each soul and within society.

Every generation of Muslims brings its own lens to these verses. Where earlier scholars saw an outside enemy to blame for sin, many contemporary readers focus on self-accountability, seeing “Satan” as a personification of our lower impulses that must be mastered. Neither approach negates the other; they add depth. The Qur’an’s wisdom endures precisely because of this elasticity of meaning – it speaks to the 7th-century desert Arab and to the 21st-century urbanite alike. Today, with insights from psychology, we appreciate how the “whisperer” operates in our subconscious, how “fear of poverty” (2:268) might reflect anxiety, and how “open enemy” (12:5, etc.) can include toxic behaviors or ideologies.

In conclusion, as we have seen in the verses above, the Qur’an vividly portrays Satan/Iblīs as the adversary of humankind – whether understood as a literal being or a symbol of evil. We inevitably read the Qur’an in light of our own knowledge and era. This is not a flaw but a strength: it allows the Qur’an’s guidance to remain ever-relevant. Our engagement with the text becomes a dynamic dialogue – balancing classical interpretations with fresh perspectives. Such evolution in commentary is “rightfully so”, for it keeps the Qur’an’s message alive in the hearts and minds of each new generation, helping believers discern the “Satan” of their time – be it an inner vice or an outer injustice – and empowering them to overcome it with faith and reason.