Authored by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha ḥafiẓahullāh
Is Satan present with the congregation (jamā‘ah)?
No, Satan is not with the congregation.
Allah ﷻ says:
**
وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّـهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا
**
"And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided."
[Āl-‘Imrān: 103]
Sayyidunā ʿUrfaǧah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
**
يَدُ اللَّـهِ عَلَى الْجَمَاعَةِ، وَالشَّيْطَانُ مَعَ مَنْ يُخَالِفُ الْجَمَاعَةَ
**
"The Hand of Allah is over the congregation, and Satan is with the one who opposes the congregation."
[Sunan al-Nasā’ī al-Ṣughrā 7/92–93; al-Muʿjam al-Kabīr of Ṭabarānī 17/144–145]
Imām al-Albānī رحمه الله graded its chain of narration as authentic (ṣaḥīḥ).
[Sunan al-Nasā’ī, Ḥadīth No. 3753]
Sayyidunā Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
**
لَوْ يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مَا فِي الْوَحْدَةِ مَا سَارَ أَحَدٌ وَحْدَهُ بِلَيْلٍ أَبَدًا
**
"If people knew what (harm) lies in being alone, no one would ever walk alone at night."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ḥadīth No. 2998]
These narrations highlight that Allah’s support and protection lie with the congregation, while Satan accompanies the one who isolates himself from the group. Solitude—especially during vulnerable times like the night—makes a person more susceptible to Satan’s influence.
✔ Summary:
Satan does not remain with the congregation. Rather, he seeks out those who separate themselves from the unity of the Muslims. The blessing, security, and support of Allah lie with those who remain united in jamā‘ah.
❖ Question:
Is Satan present with the congregation (jamā‘ah)?
❖ Answer:
No, Satan is not with the congregation.
Allah ﷻ says:
**
وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّـهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا
**
"And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided."
[Āl-‘Imrān: 103]
Sayyidunā ʿUrfaǧah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
**
يَدُ اللَّـهِ عَلَى الْجَمَاعَةِ، وَالشَّيْطَانُ مَعَ مَنْ يُخَالِفُ الْجَمَاعَةَ
**
"The Hand of Allah is over the congregation, and Satan is with the one who opposes the congregation."
[Sunan al-Nasā’ī al-Ṣughrā 7/92–93; al-Muʿjam al-Kabīr of Ṭabarānī 17/144–145]
Imām al-Albānī رحمه الله graded its chain of narration as authentic (ṣaḥīḥ).
[Sunan al-Nasā’ī, Ḥadīth No. 3753]
Sayyidunā Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
**
لَوْ يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مَا فِي الْوَحْدَةِ مَا سَارَ أَحَدٌ وَحْدَهُ بِلَيْلٍ أَبَدًا
**
"If people knew what (harm) lies in being alone, no one would ever walk alone at night."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ḥadīth No. 2998]
✿ Explanation:
These narrations highlight that Allah’s support and protection lie with the congregation, while Satan accompanies the one who isolates himself from the group. Solitude—especially during vulnerable times like the night—makes a person more susceptible to Satan’s influence.
✔ Summary:
Satan does not remain with the congregation. Rather, he seeks out those who separate themselves from the unity of the Muslims. The blessing, security, and support of Allah lie with those who remain united in jamā‘ah.
