Page 112 - Communication and Argument in the Qur'an

110 COMMUNICATION AND ARGUMENT IN THE QUR’AN

ance of me, I will lie in ambush for them on your
straight path. Then I will come at them, from in front of
them and behind them, from their right and from their
left. You will not find most of them thankful.” He (Allah)
said: “Get out of it, reviled and driven out. As for those
of them who follow you, I will fill up Hell with every one
of you.” (Surat al-A‘raf: 13-18)
When We said to the angels: “Prostrate yourselves to
Adam!” they prostrated, except for Diabolis. He said:
“What! Am I to prostrate to one You have created out
of clay? Do You see this creature You have honored
over me? If You reprieve me until the Day of
Resurrection, I will be the master of his descendants,
except for a very few.” He (Allah) said: “Go! And as for
any who follow you, your repayment is Hell, repayment
in full! Stir up any of them you can with your voice, rally
against them your cavalry and your infantry, share with
them in their children and their wealth, and make them
promises!” The promise of satan is nothing but delu-
sion. But as for “My servants, you will not have any
authority over them.” Your Lord suffices as a guardian.
(Surat al-Isra’: 61-65)

The first argument ended with Allah’s cursing of satan
and driving him away. Allah allotted him a certain period of
time in which he could tempt humanity to follow his own
perverse path. So, how does satan lead people astray? He
does it in many ways, is related in verse 17 of Surat al-

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A‘raf, “he will come at them, from in front and behind, from

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t their right and their left.” ”

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