Page 50 - Satan: The Sworn Enemy of Mankind
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SATAN: THE SWORN ENEMY OF MANKIND
shell developing around his heart, his reason to become clouded,
thus allowing him to be further enticed by other temptations and
doubts inspired by Satan. In a verse of the Qur'an, a group of believ-
ers, whom Satan had sought to lead astray, because of some blame
they had earned, are referred to as follows:
Those of you who turned their backs on the day the two
armies clashed—it was Satan who made them slip for what
they had done. But Allah has pardoned them. Allah is Ever-
Forgiving, All-Forbearing. (Surah Al `Imran, 155)
He Makes False Promises
Satan resorts to another tactic which is common to all frauds.
He makes false promises. Unbelievers are often duped by these
promises. However, they are but a ruse, and one which can cause a
person to lose the Hereafter.
Common to these promises is that they make reference to that
which is transient in this life. At times, Satan promises amusement,
sex, prosperity, or prestige. He whispers to people "specious words"
(Surat al-An`am, 112). Whatever the object, however, the fate of
those who are deceived by Satan is always the same: Hell, an eternal
torment. This truth is revealed in the Qur'an as follows:
He [Satan] makes promises to them and fills them with
false hopes. But what Satan promises them is nothing but
delusion. (Surat an-Nisa´, 120)
When the affair is decided Satan will say, "Allah made you
a promise, a promise of truth, and I made you a promise but
broke my promise. I had no authority over you, except that
I called you and you responded to me. Do not, therefore,
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