سُوْرَةُ الْكَهْفِ
Surah Al-Kahf (18) — Ayah 50
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِـَٔادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِۦٓ ۗ أَفَتَتَّخِذُونَهُۥ وَذُرِّيَّتَهُۥٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِى وَهُمْ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۢ ۚ بِئْسَ لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ بَدَلًا ﴿50﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And (remember) when We said to the angels: "Prostrate yourselves unto Adam." So they prostrated themselves except Iblîs (Satan). He was one of the jinn; he disobeyed the Command of his Lord. Will you then take him (Iblîs) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than Me while they are enemies to you? What an evil is the exchange for the Zâlimûn (polytheists, and wrong-doers).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَإِذْ
wa-idh
And when
قُلْنَا
qul'nā
We said
لِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ
lil'malāikati
to the Angels
ٱسْجُدُوا۟
us'judū
Prostrate
لِـَٔادَمَ
liādama
to Adam
فَسَجَدُوٓا۟
fasajadū
so they prostrated
إِلَّآ
illā
except
إِبْلِيسَ
ib'līsa
Iblis
كَانَ
kāna
(He) was
مِنَ
mina
of
ٱلْجِنِّ
l-jini
the jinn
فَفَسَقَ
fafasaqa
and he rebelled
عَنْ
ʿan
against
أَمْرِ
amri
the Command
رَبِّهِۦٓ ۗ
rabbihi
(of) his Lord
أَفَتَتَّخِذُونَهُۥ
afatattakhidhūnahu
Will you then take him
وَذُرِّيَّتَهُۥٓ
wadhurriyyatahu
and his offspring
أَوْلِيَآءَ
awliyāa
(as) protectors
مِن
min
other than Me
دُونِى
dūnī
other than Me
وَهُمْ
wahum
while they
لَكُمْ
lakum
(are) to you
عَدُوٌّۢ ۚ
ʿaduwwun
enemies
بِئْسَ
bi'sa
Wretched
لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
lilẓẓālimīna
for the wrongdoers
بَدَلًۭا
badalan
(is) the exchange
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 50) ➊ { وَ اِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلٰٓىِٕكَةِ۠ اسْجُدُوْا …:} In this context, the relevance of mentioning the story of Adam and Iblis is to warn the disbelievers that the path of arrogance and pride you are treading, and your looking down upon the poor Muslims, is the very path that Shaytan took before you. Then see what his end was.
➋ In {كَانَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ اَمْرِ رَبِّهٖ : ’’ فَفَسَقَ ‘‘}, the "fa" is for reasoning, i.e., to state the cause, as in: {’’سَرَقَ فَقُطِعَتْ يَدُهُ‘‘} "He stole, so his hand was cut off." That is, Shaytan was from among the jinn, so he disobeyed the command of his Lord. If he had been from the angels, he would never have disobeyed, because angels neither disobey Allah nor do anything without His command. See Anbiya (26–28) and Tahrim (6). Thus, to say about Iblis that he was originally an angel, his name was Azazil, or that he was a jinn but became the teacher of angels due to excessive worship, is completely baseless. As for the question that the command to prostrate was given to the angels, not to the jinn, see the tafsir of Surah A'raf (12) and Surah Baqarah (34).
➌ { اَفَتَتَّخِذُوْنَهٗ وَ ذُرِّيَّتَهٗۤ … :} From this it is known that Iblis has offspring, but how their lineage increased and how it continues to increase, we have no knowledge from any authentic source.
➍ The subject of {بِئْسَ لِلظّٰلِمِيْنَ بَدَلًا : ’’ بِئْسَ ‘‘} is the pronoun {’’هُوَ‘‘}, which refers back to Iblis, i.e., you took Iblis as a friend instead of Allah, so you have obtained a very evil substitute.
➋ In {كَانَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ اَمْرِ رَبِّهٖ : ’’ فَفَسَقَ ‘‘}, the "fa" is for reasoning, i.e., to state the cause, as in: {’’سَرَقَ فَقُطِعَتْ يَدُهُ‘‘} "He stole, so his hand was cut off." That is, Shaytan was from among the jinn, so he disobeyed the command of his Lord. If he had been from the angels, he would never have disobeyed, because angels neither disobey Allah nor do anything without His command. See Anbiya (26–28) and Tahrim (6). Thus, to say about Iblis that he was originally an angel, his name was Azazil, or that he was a jinn but became the teacher of angels due to excessive worship, is completely baseless. As for the question that the command to prostrate was given to the angels, not to the jinn, see the tafsir of Surah A'raf (12) and Surah Baqarah (34).
➌ { اَفَتَتَّخِذُوْنَهٗ وَ ذُرِّيَّتَهٗۤ … :} From this it is known that Iblis has offspring, but how their lineage increased and how it continues to increase, we have no knowledge from any authentic source.
➍ The subject of {بِئْسَ لِلظّٰلِمِيْنَ بَدَلًا : ’’ بِئْسَ ‘‘} is the pronoun {’’هُوَ‘‘}, which refers back to Iblis, i.e., you took Iblis as a friend instead of Allah, so you have obtained a very evil substitute.
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.
50. 1 This verse of the Quran has made it clear that Shaytan was not an angel; if he had been an angel, he would not have had the audacity to disobey the command of Allah, because Allah has described the attribute of angels as (لَّا يَعْصُوْنَ اللّٰهَ مَآ اَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُوْنَ مَا يُؤْمَرُوْنَ) 66. At-Tahrim:6). They do not disobey Allah in what He commands them and do what they are commanded. In this case, the question remains: if he was not an angel, then he was not even addressed by Allah’s command, because the addressees were the angels, and it was they who were commanded to prostrate. The author of Ruh al-Ma‘ani has said that he was certainly not an angel, but he used to live among the angels and was counted among them, so he too was addressed by the command "prostrate to Adam," and it is definite that he was addressed with the command to prostrate to Adam. The statement of Allah is: ma mana‘aka alla tasjuda idh amartuka. When I commanded you, then why did you not prostrate?
50. 2 The meaning of fisq is to go out; when a mouse comes out of its hole, it is said: fasqat al-fa’rah min juhriha. Shaytan also, by refusing the prostration of respect and greeting, went out of obedience to his Lord.
50. 3 That is, is it right for you to befriend such a person and his progeny who is the enemy of your father Adam (علیہ السلام), your enemy, and the enemy of your Lord, and to obey this Shaytan instead of Allah?
50. 4 Another translation of this is: "How evil is the exchange the wrongdoers have chosen," meaning, leaving the obedience and friendship of Allah and adopting the obedience and friendship of Shaytan is a very evil exchange that these wrongdoers have adopted.
50. 2 The meaning of fisq is to go out; when a mouse comes out of its hole, it is said: fasqat al-fa’rah min juhriha. Shaytan also, by refusing the prostration of respect and greeting, went out of obedience to his Lord.
50. 3 That is, is it right for you to befriend such a person and his progeny who is the enemy of your father Adam (علیہ السلام), your enemy, and the enemy of your Lord, and to obey this Shaytan instead of Allah?
50. 4 Another translation of this is: "How evil is the exchange the wrongdoers have chosen," meaning, leaving the obedience and friendship of Allah and adopting the obedience and friendship of Shaytan is a very evil exchange that these wrongdoers have adopted.
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.
50. [46] And (remember) when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," so they all prostrated except Iblis. He was one of the jinn [47], so he disobeyed the command of his Lord. Will you then take him and his descendants as allies instead of Me, while they are your enemies? What a miserable exchange [49] for the wrongdoers!
[46]
The Precise Recording of Deeds:
It will not happen that the punishment for one’s crime is given to another, nor that someone’s crime is minor and yet he is punished, nor that someone is seized while being innocent—that is, no kind of injustice will be allowed there. Whatever the angels have recorded in the book of deeds, the recompense will be given exactly according to that.
[47]
The Command to the Angels to Prostrate, Iblis’s Refusal Even Though He Was Not an Angel:
He was not from the origin of the angels, because angels are by nature the obedient creation of Allah; they neither disobey Allah’s command nor can they do so. The choice to obey or not to obey Allah has only been given to jinn and humans. Therefore, the commands of guidance that Allah has revealed in His books, whether they pertain to commands or prohibitions, are only related to jinn and humans. Since Iblis belonged to the lineage of the jinn and had the choice to obey or not obey Allah’s command, he misused this choice and refused to accept Allah’s command. The reason for his refusal was his arrogance and pride, and he considered Adam to be inferior to himself, whereas the reality was exactly the opposite. This story has already been mentioned at several places before, and it is mentioned here because the chiefs of Quraysh had also adopted the way of arrogance and pride, and considered the helpless Muslims to be inferior to themselves, whereas here too the reality was exactly the opposite. Here the question arises that the command to prostrate was given to the angels, so how did the matter of Iblis come up? The answer is given in two ways: one is that Iblis, due to his abundance of worship, had entered the ranks of the angels. The second answer is that before the creation of Adam, only two intelligent creations had been created: one, the angels, and the other, the jinn. And the angels were, in any case, a superior creation to the jinn. Then, when the superior creation was commanded to prostrate to Sayyiduna Adamؑ, this command, by implication, was also for the inferior creation or the jinn.
[48]
Neither in belief nor verbally does anyone claim Satan as their friend, master, or guardian; rather, everyone sends curses upon him. But in practice, when a person chooses other paths contrary to the way shown by Allah and disobeys His command, then this is, in practice, following Satan, because it was he who adopted the way of disobedience and rebellion.
[49]
Here, the wrongdoers refer to those who are obedient to Satan or Iblis and his followers and henchmen, and this phrase can have two meanings. One is that a person should have obeyed his Lord, but these wrongdoers, instead, adopted the way of following their eternal enemy. The second meaning is that these wrongdoers are going to receive a very evil recompense.
[46]
The Precise Recording of Deeds:
It will not happen that the punishment for one’s crime is given to another, nor that someone’s crime is minor and yet he is punished, nor that someone is seized while being innocent—that is, no kind of injustice will be allowed there. Whatever the angels have recorded in the book of deeds, the recompense will be given exactly according to that.
[47]
The Command to the Angels to Prostrate, Iblis’s Refusal Even Though He Was Not an Angel:
He was not from the origin of the angels, because angels are by nature the obedient creation of Allah; they neither disobey Allah’s command nor can they do so. The choice to obey or not to obey Allah has only been given to jinn and humans. Therefore, the commands of guidance that Allah has revealed in His books, whether they pertain to commands or prohibitions, are only related to jinn and humans. Since Iblis belonged to the lineage of the jinn and had the choice to obey or not obey Allah’s command, he misused this choice and refused to accept Allah’s command. The reason for his refusal was his arrogance and pride, and he considered Adam to be inferior to himself, whereas the reality was exactly the opposite. This story has already been mentioned at several places before, and it is mentioned here because the chiefs of Quraysh had also adopted the way of arrogance and pride, and considered the helpless Muslims to be inferior to themselves, whereas here too the reality was exactly the opposite. Here the question arises that the command to prostrate was given to the angels, so how did the matter of Iblis come up? The answer is given in two ways: one is that Iblis, due to his abundance of worship, had entered the ranks of the angels. The second answer is that before the creation of Adam, only two intelligent creations had been created: one, the angels, and the other, the jinn. And the angels were, in any case, a superior creation to the jinn. Then, when the superior creation was commanded to prostrate to Sayyiduna Adamؑ, this command, by implication, was also for the inferior creation or the jinn.
[48]
Neither in belief nor verbally does anyone claim Satan as their friend, master, or guardian; rather, everyone sends curses upon him. But in practice, when a person chooses other paths contrary to the way shown by Allah and disobeys His command, then this is, in practice, following Satan, because it was he who adopted the way of disobedience and rebellion.
[49]
Here, the wrongdoers refer to those who are obedient to Satan or Iblis and his followers and henchmen, and this phrase can have two meanings. One is that a person should have obeyed his Lord, but these wrongdoers, instead, adopted the way of following their eternal enemy. The second meaning is that these wrongdoers are going to receive a very evil recompense.
