Page 102 - Satan: The Sworn Enemy of Mankind

SATAN: THE SWORN ENEMY OF MANKIND
them who follows you." (Surah Sad, 85)
What must also not be forgotten is that Satan can exercise no
power over believers. He only exercises power over those desig-
nated by Allah, in other words, those especially created by Him to
be destined for Hell.
Satan cannot cause any servant whom Allah has created to be a
believer to go astray. All he can do is to be a means whereby a be-
liever commits small errors during this trail that is his life in this
world. Satan only has the power to cause those with sickness in their
hearts to go astray. This fact is revealed in the Qur'an:
He [Satan] has no authority over those who believe and put
their trust in their Lord. He only has authority over those
who take him as a friend and associate others with Allah.
(Surat an-Nahl, 99-100)
In another verse, it has been revealed that the believers cannot
be led astray by Satan:
[Allah said to Satan,] "But as for My servants, you will not
have any authority over them." Your Lord suffices as a
guardian. (Surat al-Isra´, 65)
Because Satan is also, like man, a created being, infinite wis-
dom went into his creation, as in all things.
For instance, the fact that a great segment of humanity will be
cast into Hell, together with Satan, will heighten the gratitude of the
believers on the Day of Judgment, and increase their appreciation
for the Paradise prepared for them.
At the same time, however, Satan brings it about that the hyp-
ocrites hidden among the believers be made known. By tempting
such diseased hearts under his influence, he causes them to strive
against the believers. Unable any longer to conceal themselves
among the believers, they are thus discovered for who they are.

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