Surah Saba (34) — Ayah 21
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
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.
➋ { اِلَّا لِنَعْلَمَ مَنْ يُّؤْمِنُ بِالْاٰخِرَةِ :} That is, the wisdom behind Allah granting Iblis this authority was so that it would become clear who truly believes in the Hereafter and who is doubtful about it, and so that everyone may see who obeys the word of the Most Merciful and who follows Satan, who is destined for Paradise and who for Hell.
➌ {مِمَّنْ هُوَ مِنْهَا فِيْ شَكٍّ :} It is evident that doubting the Hereafter is also disbelief, and the real cause of the ingratitude and rebellion of the people of Saba was their lack of belief in the Hereafter. The Noble Qur’an has clarified at many places that only the correct creed can keep a person steadfast on the right path, and belief in the Hereafter is the very thing that obliges a person to walk the straight path.
➍ { وَ رَبُّكَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَفِيْظٌ :} Your Lord is fully watchful and vigilant over everything; nothing is outside His protection and supervision, nor can Satan overpower Him to mislead anyone. He Himself, according to His wisdom, has granted Satan the ability to cast whispers into human hearts as a test and to establish proof against them.
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.
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.
[34]
Through Which Ways Does Satan Lead Humans Astray?
Iblis does not possess any such power that he can forcibly turn people from the path of Allah to his own path. He only has the ability to cast a whisper into the heart of a human. He cannot do anything beyond this, and the three most effective ways by which Satan leads humans astray are as follows. First, he presents ever-new paths of shirk to humans in a very attractive manner. Second, he entangles them in doubts and suspicions regarding the belief in the Hereafter, or he introduces such partial beliefs into the concept of the Hereafter that the real purpose of the belief in the Hereafter is lost—and the correct understanding of the Hereafter is what keeps a person steadfast on the straight path of Allah. His third attack is on their clothing, and he continues to present the ways of nudity, shamelessness, and obscenity to people in an appealing manner.
[35] That is, Allah knows very well to what extent He has given Iblis the authority to mislead people, and He knows well that Iblis can only mislead those who are already waiting for Satan’s signals. And those who have firm faith in Allah and the Day of Judgment do not fall for his deception, and even if they do, they soon realize it and immediately turn back to Allah.
