This excerpt is taken from Sheikh al-Islam Imam Ibn Taymiyyah's book Al-Jawab al-Bahir fi Zuwar al-Maqabir, translated by Sheikh Ataullah Saqib.
Satan was powerless in front of the Companions of the Prophet
Among the early predecessors, there is not a single person to be found before whom Satan appeared in human form and said that he was Khidr, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, or the Messiah, peace be upon them. Nor did he come near any grave and speak in such a manner that would create the impression that the occupant of the grave was conversing with him. However, Satan played a significant trick on those who came later, especially the Christians, when they, in their own belief, crucified Isa, peace be upon him. Iblis came and said, "Look! These are the marks of nails; I am that Messiah. Do not consider me Satan because Satan has no body," and so on. Trusting such statements, the Christians declared without observation that he was crucified. Not a single one of them saw Isa, peace be upon him, crucified with their own eyes. However, some Jews crucified someone and spread the rumor that it was the Messiah who was crucified. Although the Jews failed miserably in this plan, Allah declares them guilty for this evil intention:
وَبِكُفْرِهِمْ وَقَوْلِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ بُهْتَانًا عَظِيمًا ﴿١٥٦﴾ وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا الْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ لَفِي شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا لَهُم بِهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا اتِّبَاعَ الظَّنِّ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًا ﴿١٥٧﴾ بَل رَّفَعَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا ﴿١٥٨﴾
"They increased in disbelief and uttered against Mary a grave false charge, and said, 'We have killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah.' But they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but it was made to appear so to them. And those who differ concerning it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself."
Reference: (4-An-Nisa:156-158)
There is no opportunity here to discuss the details about Isa, peace be upon him; a complete discussion will be held elsewhere, God willing.
Reference: See the book Al-Jawab As-Sahih Liman Badal Din Al-Masih by the respected Imam
In summary, Satan could not deceive the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, to divert them from the right path. However, he found an opportunity to mislead the innovators who interpreted the Quran incorrectly, were deprived of the Sunnah, or heard and saw things beyond reason, which they considered miracles of the Prophets and the righteous, though these were nothing more than satanic tricks, as the Christians were misled.
The Christians and the innovators abandoned the clear verses and pursued the ambiguous ones. Acting upon the ambiguous verses with rational and sensory arguments, they heard and saw things they considered divine, though these were satanic deceptions with no reality, and they abandoned the clear and evident truth which had no confusion.
Iblis was not successful in invoking anyone other than Allah in human form, nor could he imitate the voice of a Companion, may Allah be pleased with him, to deceive people, because they knew that this was shirk (polytheism).
Satan was also not able to implant the whispering in the heart of any Companion, may Allah be pleased with him, to tell another Companion that if he had any need, he should come to his grave and supplicate to him, as he succeeded in implanting such whispers in later generations.
He was not able to whisper to anyone that he was among the unseen men or that he was one of the four, seven, or forty pillars, or that the person was among them, because the Companions knew that this was pure deception, fraud, and falsehood with no truth.
He was not able to fabricate the slander that he was the Messenger of Allah or at least go to a sacred grave and speak to someone, as he succeeded in implanting such whispers in later generations. This slander was also not implanted that he was among the unseen men or one of the four, seven, or forty pillars, or that the person was among them, because the Companions knew that this was pure deception, fraud, and falsehood with no reality. He was not able to fabricate the slander that he was the Messenger of Allah or at least go to a sacred grave and speak to someone, as happened with later people. Especially the polytheists and the People of the Book were misled and continue to be misled. Sometimes these people see a person appearing in the form of the same saint who is buried and whose greatness and reverence are observed.
