Page 70 - Satan: The Sworn Enemy of Mankind

SATAN: THE SWORN ENEMY OF MANKIND
The Means Employed by Satan to Turn People
from the True Path
The Qur'an warns believers against certain bad habits specifi-
cally employed by Satan. Wine, gambling and fortune-telling are all
vehicles by which Satan seeks to distract people:
You who believe! Wine and gambling, stone altars and di-
vining arrows are filth from the handiwork of Satan. Avoid
them completely so that hopefully you will be successful.
(Surat al-Ma´ida, 90)
The important point here, however, is the end sought by Satan
through these means. That aim is referred to in the following
verse—it is, to prevent people from remembering Allah and observ-
ing their five daily prayers:
Satan wants to stir up enmity and hatred between you by
means of wine and gambling, and to debar you from re-
membrance of Allah and from prayer. Will you not then
give them up? (Surat al-Ma´ida, 91)

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