Page 31 - Satan: The Sworn Enemy of Mankind

Satan's Tactics
rope of Allah" (Surah Al `Imran, 103). Because Satan "will lie in am-
bush for them on their straight path" (Surat al-A`raf, 16) and "cause
them to slip" (Surah Al `Imran, 155), the believer must be always on
his guard against his tricks and ploys. Otherwise, he risks falling
into his snares, though unaware of it, with the eventuality of falling
astray from the true religion. With regard to this, our Prophet (saas)
said:
Verily Satan is a wolf to man as the wolf is (the enemy) of a flock. He
seizes the lone sheep straying from the flock, or turning away from
the flock. So avoid the factious paths; it is essential that you remain
with the community. (Tirmidhi)
Let us now examine, item by item, the tactics employed by
Satan in order to cause people to be destined for Hell.

He Foments Doubt
The struggle the believers wage against their greatest of foes is
to endure a lifetime. Throughout this war, Satan employs cunning
ruses. He never reveals his true aim. He does not come forward de-
claring straight out, "I am Satan and I want you to burn in Hell."
Instead, he subtly conceals his presence, whispering stealthily into
people's hearts (Surat an-Nas, 4-5). As Allah's messenger (saas) said,
"Satan runs in the body of Adam's son (i.e., man) as his blood that circu-
lates through it." (Sahih Bukhari) One who fails to be cognizant of
Satan imagines that the temptations issuing from him are merely the
products of his own mind. Though, Satan also brings that person to
believe those false ideas to be true. In this manner, Satan brings a
great many under his complete control without their knowing.
The faithful, however, by way of the Qur'an, are able to neutral-
ize this enemy, who has the ability to whisper into their inner-selves.

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