Surah Al-Anfaal (8) — Ayah 48

(Ayah 48) ➊ The meaning of {وَ اِذْ زَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطٰنُ اَعْمَالَهُمْ …: ’’ جَارٌ ‘‘} here is protector, helper, supporter, that is, a defender and assistant. {’’نَكَصَ ‘‘} means to turn back on one's heels. The interpretation of Satan beautifying their deeds for them, assuring them of their dominance and his support, has been narrated by some commentators, such as Tabari, Ibn Kathir, and Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on them) from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), that there was enmity between Quraysh and Banu Kinana, and they feared that they might attack them from behind. Satan came to them in the form of their chief Suraqah bin Malik bin Ju'sham and assured Quraysh of safety from them and of his support, and he also brought his army. But when he saw Jibril (peace be upon him) and the angels with the Muslims at Badr, he turned back on his heels, uttering the words mentioned in the Noble Qur'an.

Some commentators, such as the author of Al-Manar, have interpreted that Satan did not come in human form, but rather all these things were put as whispers into their hearts, that "I am your supporter," meaning the idols and gods you worship will support and help you in every way, and at this time you are so numerous and powerful that no one can overcome you. Relying on their idols and gods, which was in reality reliance on Satan, and in their arrogance of strength, they became certain of victory due to Satan's whispers. But after the battle began at Badr, the Muslims appeared to them as double in number, so all the whispers and assurances given by Satan were nullified. Sayyid Rashid Rida tried to cast doubt on the authenticity of the narrations about Satan coming in human form. Some have said that these narrations are reported from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), who was five years old at the time, so he must have heard them from someone else. However, the mursal reports of the Companions are also accepted, because they must have heard them from another Companion, all of whom are trustworthy.

In the research of Ibn Kathir in {’’ هداية المستنير‘‘}, it is written that Ibn Kathir mentioned several narrations from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) under these verses, none of which are free from weakness, but by gathering them it becomes clear that these events have a basis, so there is no harm in mentioning them. And in {’’ الاستيعاب في بيان الأسباب ‘‘}, Salim Al-Hilali and Muhammad bin Musa have written that the narration of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) (mentioned here) is Hasan; two defects have been mentioned in it, but they are of no significance. Since there is no clarification of this verse from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in any authentic hadith, and this matter relates to the unseen, therefore, although it cannot be said with certainty whether Satan actually came to them in human form and said this, or merely deceived them by instilling arrogance in their hearts, but from the words of the Qur'an {’’ قَالَ لَا غَالِبَ لَكُمُ الْيَوْمَ مِنَ النَّاسِ ‘‘} and {’’ نَكَصَ عَلٰى عَقِبَيْهِ ‘‘}, it appears more likely that that oppressor came in human form, and it is not far-fetched for Satan to sometimes come in human form, as in the authentic hadith it is mentioned that once he attacked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) during prayer, so he caught him and strangled him, but then remembered the supplication of Sulaiman (peace be upon him) and let him go. [ بخاری، الصلاۃ، باب الأسیر أو الغریم یربط فی المسجد : ۴۶۱ ] He also appeared to Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) for three days, and he kept capturing and releasing him, so it is not unlikely that he himself came on this important occasion.

➋ {اِنِّيْۤ اَرٰى مَا لَا تَرَوْنَ:} means: "I see those angels whom you do not see."

➌ { اِنِّيْۤ اَخَافُ اللّٰهَ:} Iblis had asked Allah Almighty for respite until the Day of Resurrection, but Allah Almighty granted him respite until the day known to Allah. See Surah Al-Hijr (37, 38) and Surah Sad (80, 81). He did not promise until the Day of Resurrection, so it is possible that Iblis, upon seeing the angels, thought that his period of respite had ended, which is why he mentioned fearing Allah; otherwise, when did that oppressor ever fear Allah?