Question: Assalamu Alaykum rahmutullahi wabarakatu,

So I was reading the tafsir of Surah An-Nas and on the 4th ayat “From the evil of the whispers who withdraws”

From what I read basically is it saying that the shaytan whispers evil in us at any moment, but when we remember Allah (swt) it withdraws, correct?
but where the confusion comes in is that I heard shaytan attacks us even more when we remember Allah (swt) like distracting us from prayer, reading quran, and doing good deeds; like taking two steps forward shaytan tries to push us four steps back.
If my first thought is correct then could you please elaborate more on it, but if its not then could you explain exactly when the shaytan withdraws, and for how long exactly does it withdrawal?
I’m sorry that is like four questions in one, but your answer is very much needed!

jazakallahu khair

Time sent: Wednesday June 3, 2009

Answer: ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ???????

Regarding the phrase, ??? ????? ???????????? ???????????

The following points must be observed:

Maximized meaning derived for this phrase in question are best understood in examining the context and ayaat which precede and antecede it.

Workings of shaytan:

Three times prior to coming to the ayah of ??? ????? ???????????? ???????????, Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) places an attack on shaytan. Allamah Qurtubi outlines that the word ???????????? (wasawas) refers to not just a whisper, rather a breath like occurrence that is finer than a whisper that is shared between shaytan and his intended target. It is passionate gesture, so much so that the recipient of the message feels as if he has become one with the evil attempts of shaytan and thus sometimes act accordingly. This passionate whisper is placed into the heart/mind of a person to the extent of it having the affect of polluting remote positive thoughts a person may have of  Allah and His Commands.

Allah(Subhanahu Wata’Ala) is making a significant point to us: shaytan does not avail himself in a transparent manner at all times regarding his deviant plots against the believer.  As we do good, shaytan breathes his whisper into a believers heart. Sometimes it is manifested in the people we meet, books we read, ideas that fester and let cultivate within ourselves and families, emails we send out, etc.

Shaytan NEVER gives up, nor should we

That is why Ibn Abbas (RA) states that shaytan is referred to by the action name of wasawasa. When the name of Allah is mentioned, he flees, once the name or remembrance of Allah is halted, he is back. Even when occupied with good deeds, a person lapses. This lapse causes the ego which has been trained prior to Saalaah to take grasp the person, as if to say, ‘ now when you let go of Allah, I shall befriend you. ‘Rahman and Shaytan cannot be contained in the heart of the believer at the same time!

So how can one be safe?

Sincerity (ikhla?) is essential in all matters. Once it is removed, shaytan steps in. Do not try and be your own boss on religious matters, seek out pious people to follow and emulate, more so, those that have moved on, monitor your behaviors to see if you are becoming arrogant, never conspire against people, for in doing so, you forget who you are, spend time in personal prayer at night, minimize worldly luxuries upon yourself, minimize desire of it upon yourself, and do not be with people that always aspire it.
Commentators have quoted Ibn Abbas to have said:

Fear Allah and He will give you security. Aspire towards Allah and He will give you hope. Place your trust in Allah and He will suffice you. Incumbent upon you is seclusion, so that all flaws (and difficulties) may be removed from you.

Ibn ‘Abb?s also mentioned:  ‘If it was not for fear of (satans) whisperings, I would move to a country where I have no friends. Does anything corrupt man (humans)  besides man (humans) ?’  Not only must we be ont he lookout for shaytan, we must be on the lookout for friends that also emulate him that would trick you with sweets to the satanic trail.

For our student audience:

As you possibly have noted: a major distinction exists between reading a translation of the Quran and understanding the Quran from the books of Tafaseer. Had you read up on this ayah upon examining the various tafaser, your confusion/question would have been eliminated. We make this point to show our student audience that a major difference exists between translation of the noble Quran and tafseer, or the picking up of just any translated tafseer from the Arabic to English!

Tafseer has multiple portions to it. One is the intent of Allah to have revealed a passage according to the Sahaba (RA). The other is the multiple benefit we can take from the passage itself without delving into the intent of an ayah via the study of Hadith. The latter, as long as it does not violate tenants of Imam, it would be accepted.

May Allah reform and save one and all from the internal and external works of shaytan and his despicable agents which surround us in wolves clothing — Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.