The Tools of Satan’s Temptations

In Tafsir al-Tasnim, Ayatollah Jawadi Amuli explains the tools of Satan’s temptation as a fundamental challenge for those striving to traverse the Straight Path. The Qur’an highlights that apparent blessings—such as worldly adornments and material wealth—are the very means through which Satan deceives and misleads humanity. By beautifying these transient blessings, Satan entangles people in long, unattainable desires and false hopes. As he declares in the Qur’an: “I will surely adorn for them [evil deeds] on the earth, and I will mislead them all” (15:39).

The Qur’an, however, offers a clear distinction between the adornments of the earth and the true adornments of the heart. It portrays worldly blessings, such as gardens, wealth, and structures, as impermanent and a means of testing rather than uplifting human beings. These adornments, described as “that which is on the earth”, are created to test who among humanity performs the best deeds (18:7–8). Just as these blessings flourish like spring, they inevitably wither like autumn and return to the earth as barren ground. Thus, their ultimate value is transient and limited to the worldly realm.

True adornment, according to the Qur’an, lies not in external beauty or material possessions but in the purity of faith. As the Qur’an states: “But God has endeared to you faith and has beautified it in your hearts, and He has made hateful to you disbelief and defiance and disobedience” (49:7). This inner beautification is the true source of human elevation and the foundation of a life aligned with divine will. Those who are enamored with the transient adornments of the earth remain under Satan’s influence, while those devoted to faith and spiritual values find themselves under the guardianship of the Most Merciful.

Distinguishing between these forms of adornment may appear straightforward, but Satan’s temptations often blur this clarity. Under his influence, people may perceive afflictions as blessings or remain content with conditions that are, in reality, detrimental to their spiritual growth. For example, individuals may view hypocrisy, spiritual ailments, or avoidance of their moral duties—such as jihād—as blessings. The Qur’an rebukes such misconceptions, pointing out that immunity from struggles in the path of God is a false blessing, not a divine favor. Those who shy away from the battlefield and claim God has favored them by sparing them the harm of war are deceiving themselves. Such attitudes are rooted in fear and doubt, as the Qur’an asserts: “Indeed, there is among you he who lingers behind; and if disaster strikes you, he says, ‘God has favored me in that I was not present with them.’ But if bounty comes to you from God, he will surely say, as if there had never been between you and him any affection, ‘Oh, I wish I had been with them so I could have attained a great attainment’” (4:71–73).

The Qur’an further addresses those who, when witnessing the sacrifices of martyrs or the companions of truth, express superficial wishes such as: “Oh, how I wish I had been with you”. Such statements, while appearing pious, are insincere. The Qur’an categorically states that those who truly intend to serve God and fight for the truth would prepare themselves for it: “And if they had intended to go forth, they would have prepared for it [some] preparation. But God disliked their being sent, so He kept them back” (9:46). Their hesitation and lack of commitment are not mere personal failures but an active rejection of divine opportunities.

The Qur’an thus identifies three types of blessings. The first are spiritual and inner blessings—such as faith, divine guidance, and inner contentment—that lead to true happiness and proximity to God. The second are apparent blessings, which, depending on how they are used, can serve the cause of religion or become tools of Satan’s deception. The third are false and imaginary blessings, such as avoiding the challenges of faith, which offer no real benefit in the Qur’anic view and only serve as obstacles to spiritual progress.

In summary, Satan’s strategy is to manipulate humanity’s perception of blessings, drawing them away from faith by emphasizing the temporary allure of worldly adornments. The Qur’an repeatedly reminds its readers to distinguish between the adornments of the earth and the true, eternal adornment of faith, urging vigilance against Satan’s schemes. By cultivating spiritual and inner blessings and rejecting false illusions of comfort, individuals can safeguard their journey on the Straight Path and remain steadfast in their pursuit of divine proximity.

Reference

Tafsir al-Tasnim (Surah Al-Hamd)