In the name of God, the Lord of Grace, the Ever Merciful
If they accuse you of lying, other messengers, who had gone before you, were similarly accused. It is to God that all things return.
People! God’s promise is true indeed. So do not let the life of the present world delude you, and do not let deceptive thoughts about God delude you.
Satan is your enemy, so treat him as an enemy. He only calls on his followers so that they will be among those destined for the blazing fire.
For the unbelievers there is severe suffering in store; while for those who believe and do righteous deeds there is forgiveness of sins and a great reward.
(The Originator, Fatir, 35: 4-7)
The first three verses of this surah highlighted three major truths of the Islamic faith: the oneness of God, the Creator of all; the grace that He alone bestows; and that He is the only One who provides sustenance for all His creation. They showed that whatever grace God wishes to bestow on anyone of His creation, no one can prevent it from reaching that creature. If He wishes to withhold it from anyone, then no power in the universe can extend it to him or her. It is just not possible to thwart God’s purpose. God does not act in any arbitrary way. Indeed His grace is extended in this life to all people, in varying forms and degrees. It is important, therefore, that we act in the way that ensures for us an abundance of God’s grace, by obeying Him and refraining from what He has forbidden.
Now the surah addresses the Prophet (peace be upon him), comforting him because his people’s rejection of his message and their false accusations of his lying caused him much pain. It stresses that all matters are in God’s hand. It also addresses us all, confirming that God’s promise is a true promise and warning us against Satan’s schemes, which aim to divert us from recognizing the major truths already outlined. What Satan, our avowed enemy, wants is to lead us to hell and its torment. It shows us the types of requital that await the believers and unbelievers in the life to come. Finally it enjoins the Prophet not to worry about what might happen to them. Both belief and rejection are in God’s hand, and He knows all that people do.
The first address is aimed at the Prophet: “If they accuse you of lying, other messengers, who had gone before you, were similarly accused. It is to God that all things return.” With all these truths easily and clearly recognizable, you need not worry that they accuse you of lying. The same thing happened to earlier messengers. All matters eventually return to God who determines every end the way He pleases.
Then the address is made general, to all people: “People! God’s promise is true indeed. So do not let the life of the present world delude you, and do not let deceptive thoughts about God delude you. Satan is your enemy, so treat him as an enemy. He only calls on his followers so that they will be among those destined for the blazing fire.”
God’s promise is true: there is no doubt that it will come; it is a reality that will not fail; it is the truth. Nothing can cause it to disappear, lose its way or change. Nevertheless this present life can delude people, as can Satan. Therefore, do not let anything get the better of you: “do not let the life of the present world delude you, and do not let deceptive thoughts about God delude you.” Satan has declared his hostility to you and that he will never be anything but an enemy to you. Therefore, “treat him as an enemy.” Do not befriend him, listen to his advice, follow in his footsteps, for no rational person would follow in his enemy’s footsteps. Moreover, you should realize that he does not call you to anything good, nor does he want you to be safe: “He only calls on his followers so that they will be among those destined for the blazing fire.” Can anyone with reason and clear thinking answer a call that would put him in the fire?
This is a sincere, heartfelt address. When man remembers the eternal battle he has to fight against his avowed enemy, Satan, he will muster all his strength, defending himself and ensuring his own safety. He will do his utmost not to fall to any temptation, keep himself on guard, evaluate every thought by the scales God has given him. He is alert to the fact that any seemingly innocent thought may involve clever deception by his old enemy.
This is the sort of sensitivity Islam wants its followers to have. They need to be on the alert so as to reject any temptation Satan presents. This entails the mobilization of all one’s responses against evil, both its inner appeal and surface attraction. Thus, one is always on red alert, prepared to engage in this battle which rages persistently throughout this present life.
Such single-mindedness demanded from believers is followed by an outline of the fate of those who responded to Satan’s call. To reinforce the contrast, the situation of the believers who reject him and drive him away is reiterated: “For the unbelievers there is severe suffering in store; while for those who believe and do righteous deeds there is forgiveness of sins and a great reward.”
