سُوْرَةُ الإِسۡرَاءِ
Surah Al-Israa (17) — Ayah 64
وَٱسْتَفْزِزْ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتَ مِنْهُم بِصَوْتِكَ وَأَجْلِبْ عَلَيْهِم بِخَيْلِكَ وَرَجِلِكَ وَشَارِكْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَوْلَـٰدِ وَعِدْهُمْ ۚ وَمَا يَعِدُهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ إِلَّا غُرُورًا ﴿64﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
"And befool them gradually those whom you can among them with your voice (i.e. songs, music, and any other call for Allâh’s disobedience), make assaults on them with your cavalry and your infantry, share with them wealth and children (by tempting them to earn money by illegal ways - usury, or by committing illegal sexual intercourse), and make promises to them." But Satan promises them nothing but deceit.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَٱسْتَفْزِزْ
wa-is'tafziz
And incite
مَنِ
mani
whoever
ٱسْتَطَعْتَ
is'taṭaʿta
you can
مِنْهُم
min'hum
among them
بِصَوْتِكَ
biṣawtika
with your voice
وَأَجْلِبْ
wa-ajlib
and assault
عَلَيْهِم
ʿalayhim
[on] them
بِخَيْلِكَ
bikhaylika
with your cavalry
وَرَجِلِكَ
warajilika
and infantry
وَشَارِكْهُمْ
washārik'hum
and be a partner
فِى
fī
in
ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ
l-amwāli
the wealth
وَٱلْأَوْلَـٰدِ
wal-awlādi
and the children
وَعِدْهُمْ ۚ
waʿid'hum
and promise them
وَمَا
wamā
And not
يَعِدُهُمُ
yaʿiduhumu
promises them
ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ
l-shayṭānu
the Shaitaan
إِلَّا
illā
except
غُرُورًا
ghurūran
delusion
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 64) ➊ Derived from {وَ اسْتَفْزِزْ مَنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ مِنْهُمْ …: ’’ اسْتَفْزِزْ ‘‘ ’’فَزٌّ‘‘}, which means light and insignificant. {’’رَجُلٌ فَزٌّ أَيْ خَفِيْفٌ ‘‘} means a light person, that is, whoever you can make light and worthless with your voice, make them so. Shah Rafiuddin (may Allah have mercy on him) translated it as "And mislead whomever you can mislead," because a person becomes misled only after becoming light and worthless.
➋ By the voice of {بِصَوْتِكَ :} (Satan) is meant every voice that invites to disobedience of Allah; this includes music, singing, invitation and encouragement to immorality and every evil deed.
➌ { وَ اَجْلِبْ عَلَيْهِمْ … :} means to draw or bring by pulling, and also refers to the noise made to make a horse run faster. {’’خَيْلٌ‘‘} refers to a group of horses, and also to a group of horsemen. {’’رَجِلٌ‘‘} (foot soldier) is singular. (Qamoos) The meaning intended is the kind.
➍ The partnership of { وَ شَارِكْهُمْ فِي الْاَمْوَالِ وَ الْاَوْلَادِ :} (Satan) in wealth is that it is earned through unlawful means, or spent on unlawful things, for example, earning wealth through interest, bribery, theft, robbery, and fraud, and spending it in the name of other than Allah or on immorality, indecency, and acts of disobedience. Partnership in children is that Satan succeeds in having them raised contrary to the teachings of the true religion, provides them opportunities for adultery and disobedience to Allah, makes them averse to their righteous predecessors, makes the husband and wife forget to supplicate for protection from Satan at the time of intercourse, so that Satan has a share in the offspring born, or makes them give such names to their children that indicate someone other than Allah granted them. The polytheists of Arabia used to name their children Abdul-Uzza, Abdul-Shams, and Abdul-Wadd, etc. In our times, names like Rasool Bakhsh, Hussain Bakhsh, Peer Bakhsh, Ghulam Jilani, and Peeran Ditta, etc., are given, which are polytheistic names. Further, the verses in which the partnership of Satan in these things is mentioned are: Surah Al-An'am (136, 138) and Surah Yunus (54).
➎ { وَعِدْهُمْ :} means make them false promises, for example, that if you commit shirk you will get this benefit, you will get this profit from usurious business, and that since you have wealth and riches in this world, you will get them in the Hereafter as well, and that there is still plenty of time, enjoy yourself now and repent later, etc. In these verses, Allah Almighty has given Satan five commands: {’’ اذْهَبْ ‘‘ ’’ اسْتَفْزِزْ ‘‘ ’’ اَجْلِبْ عَلَيْهِمْ ‘‘ ’’ شَارِكْهُمْ ‘‘} and {’’ عِدْهُمْ ‘‘} All these commands are for threat and rebuke, as He said: «اِعْمَلُوْا مَا شِئْتُمْ » [ حٰمٓ السجدۃ : ۴۰ ] "Do whatever you wish." These commands are not for compliance, because all these are sins and Allah does not command sin.
➏ { وَ مَا يَعِدُهُمُ الشَّيْطٰنُ اِلَّا غُرُوْرًا :} means all the promises of Satan are mere deception. Allah Almighty has stated this concept in several other places as well. See Surah An-Nisa (120), Al-Hadid (14), and Ibrahim (22). Previously, the conversation was addressed to Satan; here, Satan is mentioned in the third person, this shift is to belittle Satan.
➋ By the voice of {بِصَوْتِكَ :} (Satan) is meant every voice that invites to disobedience of Allah; this includes music, singing, invitation and encouragement to immorality and every evil deed.
➌ { وَ اَجْلِبْ عَلَيْهِمْ … :} means to draw or bring by pulling, and also refers to the noise made to make a horse run faster. {’’خَيْلٌ‘‘} refers to a group of horses, and also to a group of horsemen. {’’رَجِلٌ‘‘} (foot soldier) is singular. (Qamoos) The meaning intended is the kind.
➍ The partnership of { وَ شَارِكْهُمْ فِي الْاَمْوَالِ وَ الْاَوْلَادِ :} (Satan) in wealth is that it is earned through unlawful means, or spent on unlawful things, for example, earning wealth through interest, bribery, theft, robbery, and fraud, and spending it in the name of other than Allah or on immorality, indecency, and acts of disobedience. Partnership in children is that Satan succeeds in having them raised contrary to the teachings of the true religion, provides them opportunities for adultery and disobedience to Allah, makes them averse to their righteous predecessors, makes the husband and wife forget to supplicate for protection from Satan at the time of intercourse, so that Satan has a share in the offspring born, or makes them give such names to their children that indicate someone other than Allah granted them. The polytheists of Arabia used to name their children Abdul-Uzza, Abdul-Shams, and Abdul-Wadd, etc. In our times, names like Rasool Bakhsh, Hussain Bakhsh, Peer Bakhsh, Ghulam Jilani, and Peeran Ditta, etc., are given, which are polytheistic names. Further, the verses in which the partnership of Satan in these things is mentioned are: Surah Al-An'am (136, 138) and Surah Yunus (54).
➎ { وَعِدْهُمْ :} means make them false promises, for example, that if you commit shirk you will get this benefit, you will get this profit from usurious business, and that since you have wealth and riches in this world, you will get them in the Hereafter as well, and that there is still plenty of time, enjoy yourself now and repent later, etc. In these verses, Allah Almighty has given Satan five commands: {’’ اذْهَبْ ‘‘ ’’ اسْتَفْزِزْ ‘‘ ’’ اَجْلِبْ عَلَيْهِمْ ‘‘ ’’ شَارِكْهُمْ ‘‘} and {’’ عِدْهُمْ ‘‘} All these commands are for threat and rebuke, as He said: «اِعْمَلُوْا مَا شِئْتُمْ » [ حٰمٓ السجدۃ : ۴۰ ] "Do whatever you wish." These commands are not for compliance, because all these are sins and Allah does not command sin.
➏ { وَ مَا يَعِدُهُمُ الشَّيْطٰنُ اِلَّا غُرُوْرًا :} means all the promises of Satan are mere deception. Allah Almighty has stated this concept in several other places as well. See Surah An-Nisa (120), Al-Hadid (14), and Ibrahim (22). Previously, the conversation was addressed to Satan; here, Satan is mentioned in the third person, this shift is to belittle Satan.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
64. 1 By "voice" is meant the deceptive invitation or singing, music, and other instruments of amusement, through which Satan is misleading many people.
64. 2 By these armies are meant the mounted and foot armies of humans and jinn who are Satan's followers and his disciples, and who, like Satan, mislead people; or it means every possible means that Satan uses to mislead.
64. 3 The inclusion of Satan in wealth means earning wealth through unlawful means and spending it in unlawful ways, and similarly, dedicating livestock in the names of idols, such as Bahira, Sa'iba, etc. And the participation in children means adultery, naming them Abdul-Lat, Abdul-Uzza, etc., raising them in a non-Islamic manner so that they possess bad morals and character, killing or burying them alive out of fear of poverty, making children Magians, Jews, Christians, etc., and having intercourse with one's wife without reciting the prescribed supplication, etc. In all these cases, Satan's participation occurs.
64. 4 That there is no Paradise or Hell, or that there is no life after death, etc.
64. 5 Ghuroor (deception) means to present a wrong act in such a way that it appears good and correct.
64. 2 By these armies are meant the mounted and foot armies of humans and jinn who are Satan's followers and his disciples, and who, like Satan, mislead people; or it means every possible means that Satan uses to mislead.
64. 3 The inclusion of Satan in wealth means earning wealth through unlawful means and spending it in unlawful ways, and similarly, dedicating livestock in the names of idols, such as Bahira, Sa'iba, etc. And the participation in children means adultery, naming them Abdul-Lat, Abdul-Uzza, etc., raising them in a non-Islamic manner so that they possess bad morals and character, killing or burying them alive out of fear of poverty, making children Magians, Jews, Christians, etc., and having intercourse with one's wife without reciting the prescribed supplication, etc. In all these cases, Satan's participation occurs.
64. 4 That there is no Paradise or Hell, or that there is no life after death, etc.
64. 5 Ghuroor (deception) means to present a wrong act in such a way that it appears good and correct.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
64. And incite with your voice whoever among them you can, and rally against them your cavalry and infantry [80][81], and become a partner in their wealth and children [82], and make promises to them. But Satan promises them nothing but delusion [83].
[80]
The Meaning of the Voice of Satan:
By the voice of Satan is meant every call that incites one to disobey Allah, and this voice usually comes from the henchmen and followers of the devils. In this satanic voice, all kinds of abuse, quarrels, singing, music, entertainment, and gatherings of joy and pleasure are included—everything that keeps a person heedless of the remembrance of Allah and veils his true nature.
[81] That is, you are also permitted, like bandits, to attack with full pomp and glory the children of Adam with your entire force, whether it belongs to humans, jinn, or devils, and to cause as much destruction and misguidance among them as you can.
[82]
Forms of Satan’s Participation in Wealth and Offspring:
That is, all the unlawful means that a person adopts to earn wealth are done under satanic incitement and by acting on his advice. And the person who consumes the unlawful accepts Satan’s advice as if Satan himself is participating in his work. Then Satan, after showing this path to man, withdraws, and the entire burden of sin falls upon the children of Adam. Another meaning could be that, just as the polytheists of Makkah used to set aside a portion of their crops and cattle for Allah and another portion for their idols, similarly, any wealth that is offered as a sacrifice, offering, or vow to anyone other than Allah is all a participation of Satan in the wealth of the children of Adam. And participation in offspring is that Allah grants the offspring, but names are given such as Peeran Ditta, Ghaus Bakhsh, Abdul Nabi, Miran Bakhsh, or other similar polytheistic names, thus attributing the child to someone other than Allah, or going to the doors of others besides Allah for the sake of children, and offering sacrifices and vows there.
[83]
The Promises of Satan:
For the promises of Satan and the reality of these promises, see the footnotes of verse 22 of Surah Ibrahim.
[80]
The Meaning of the Voice of Satan:
By the voice of Satan is meant every call that incites one to disobey Allah, and this voice usually comes from the henchmen and followers of the devils. In this satanic voice, all kinds of abuse, quarrels, singing, music, entertainment, and gatherings of joy and pleasure are included—everything that keeps a person heedless of the remembrance of Allah and veils his true nature.
[81] That is, you are also permitted, like bandits, to attack with full pomp and glory the children of Adam with your entire force, whether it belongs to humans, jinn, or devils, and to cause as much destruction and misguidance among them as you can.
[82]
Forms of Satan’s Participation in Wealth and Offspring:
That is, all the unlawful means that a person adopts to earn wealth are done under satanic incitement and by acting on his advice. And the person who consumes the unlawful accepts Satan’s advice as if Satan himself is participating in his work. Then Satan, after showing this path to man, withdraws, and the entire burden of sin falls upon the children of Adam. Another meaning could be that, just as the polytheists of Makkah used to set aside a portion of their crops and cattle for Allah and another portion for their idols, similarly, any wealth that is offered as a sacrifice, offering, or vow to anyone other than Allah is all a participation of Satan in the wealth of the children of Adam. And participation in offspring is that Allah grants the offspring, but names are given such as Peeran Ditta, Ghaus Bakhsh, Abdul Nabi, Miran Bakhsh, or other similar polytheistic names, thus attributing the child to someone other than Allah, or going to the doors of others besides Allah for the sake of children, and offering sacrifices and vows there.
[83]
The Promises of Satan:
For the promises of Satan and the reality of these promises, see the footnotes of verse 22 of Surah Ibrahim.
