Surah 22

Surah 22:52

"We have not sent any messenger or any prophet before you, except that, when he began to wish, Satan cast (something) into his wishful thinking. But God cancels what Satan casts, (and) then God clearly composes His verses – surely God is knowing, wise –"
How the Shaytan threw some Falsehood into the Words of the Messengers, and how Allah abolished that Verses 22:52-54
Show Full Scripture Context (22:52-54) — 3 Verses
Verse 52

وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٖ وَلَا نَبِيٍّ إِلَّآ إِذَا تَمَنَّىٰٓ أَلۡقَى ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ فِيٓ أُمۡنِيَّتِهِۦ فَيَنسَخُ ٱللَّهُ مَا يُلۡقِي ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ ثُمَّ يُحۡكِمُ ٱللَّهُ ءَايَٰتِهِۦۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٞ

We have not sent any messenger or any prophet before you, except that, when he began to wish, Satan cast (something) into his wishful thinking. But God cancels what Satan casts, (and) then God clearly composes His verses – surely God is knowing, wise –

Verse 53

لِّيَجۡعَلَ مَا يُلۡقِي ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ فِتۡنَةٗ لِّلَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٞ وَٱلۡقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُمۡۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ لَفِي شِقَاقِۭ بَعِيدٖ

so that He may make what Satan casts a test for those in whose hearts is a sickness, and whose hearts are hardened – and surely the evildoers are indeed in extreme defiance –

Verse 54

وَلِيَعۡلَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ أَنَّهُ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَيُؤۡمِنُواْ بِهِۦ فَتُخۡبِتَ لَهُۥ قُلُوبُهُمۡۗ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٖ مُّسۡتَقِيمٖ

and so that those who have been given the knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord, and may believe in it, and so that their hearts may be humble before Him. Surely God is indeed guiding those who believe to a straight path.

At this point many of the scholars of Tafsir mentioned the story of the Gharaniq and how many of those who had migrated to Ethiopia came back when they thought that the idolators of the Quraysh had become Muslims, but these reports all come through Mursal chains of narration and I do not think that any of them may be regarded as Sahih. And Allah knows best.

Al-Bukhari said, "Ibn 'Abbas said,

Quoted Scripture
"in his recitation (of the revelation)."

"When he spoke, the Shaytan threw (some falsehood) into his speech, but Allah abolished that which the Shaytan threw in."

{Then Allah establishes His revelations.} 'Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn 'Abbas said,

Quoted Scripture
"when he did recite (the revelation), Shaytan threw (some falsehood) in it"

"When he spoke, the Shaytan threw (some falsehood) into his speech." Mujahid said:

{when he did recite} "When he spoke." It was said that it refers to his recitation, whereas,

Quoted Scripture
"but they trust upon Amani"

means they speak but they do not write. Al-Baghawi and the majority of the scholars of Tafsir said:

{he did recite} "Reciting the Book of Allah."

{Shaytan threw (some falsehood) in it} "In his recitation." Ad-Dahhak said:

{when he did recite} "When he recited." Ibn Jarir said, "This comment is more akin to interpretation."

Quoted Scripture
"But Yansakh Allah that which Shaytan throws in."

The meaning of the word Naskh in Arabic is to remove or lift away. 'Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn 'Abbas said, "This means, Allah cancels out that which the Shaytan throws in."

{And Allah is All-Knower} means, He knows all matters and events that will happen, and nothing whatsoever is hidden from Him.

{All-Wise.} means, in His decree, creation and command, He has perfect wisdom and absolute proof, hence He says:

Quoted Scripture
"That He (Allah) may make what is thrown in by Shaytan a trial for those in whose hearts is a disease"

meaning, doubt, Shirk, disbelief and hypocrisy. Ibn Jurayj said:

— from Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Vol. 6, Page 597-599)

About this Source & Scholarly Authority (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

Universal Sunni Consensus: Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim by Hafiz Ibn Kathir (701–774 AH / 1301–1373 AD) is universally regarded across all major schools of Sunni Islam (traditional, Salafi, Ash'ari) as the most authoritative classical exegesis. It is prized because it relies on Tafsir bil-Ma'thur—interpreting the Quran using the Quran itself, authentic Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad, and recorded statements of the early Companions (Sahabah).

Standard English Edition: This text is from the standard 10-volume English abridgment published by Dar-us-Salam Publications (supervised by Shaykh Safiur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri), which is the official, most widely distributed English Quranic commentary in mosques and Islamic libraries worldwide today.