**Sheriff’s Qur’an Notes — **Surah Araf — Deception

In Ayah 20, Allah mentions that “Shaytan” whispered to Adam and Hawa. However, in Ayah 11, Allah used the name Iblis and did not refer to him as Shaytan.

I feel the Shaytan reference in Ayah 20 is intentional, to prepare us that Iblis will not be our only enemy. There are forces that will constantly attack us, make us inclined to disobeying Allah, and ultimately lead us to Hell if we are not mindful of Allah.

In Ayah 26, Allah made these pointers:

1. He brought into our consciousness that He has provided us everything we will ever need on this earth.
2. He brought into our consciousness that these provisions also act as signs of the existence of Allah, Al-Razzaq (The Provider).
3. He advises us not to let Shaytan deceive us the way he deceived our parents, Adam and Hawa.
4. He then mentions that “he and his forces can see us from where we cannot see them” meaning the forces working to deceive us into disobeying Allah are immense and invisible to us.
5. He also mentions that He made Shaytan and his forces allies to those who do not believe in Allah. Therefore, people who do not believe in the existence of Allah will — intentionally or unintentionally — act as allies to Shaytan.

May Allah guide our hearts and grant us the ability to be mindful of Him. May Allah protect us from the deceit of Shaytan, his Jinn allies, and his human allies. Ameen.