Parables of the QuranA parable of the Quran · Al-An'aam 6:71

The one lured astray by devils

مثل الذي استهوته الشياطين

Turning back from guidance leaves one bewildered between friends calling to the right way and devils calling to ruin.

Quran

What it means

Should we call on what can neither benefit nor harm us, and turn back after Allah has guided us, like one whom devils have led astray in the land, bewildered, while his companions call him to the right way (6:71)?

As-Sa'di explains that this is the state of everyone whom Allah does not protect: there are opposing pulls within people. The message, sound reason and an upright nature call to guidance; the devils and desire call the other way. The one who leaves guidance for misguidance has chosen a state no person of sense would accept.

Evidence

QuranAl-An'aam (The Cattle)Quran 6:71

قُلْ أَنَدْعُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُنَا وَلَا يَضُرُّنَا وَنُرَدُّ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَابِنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَىٰنَا ٱللَّهُ كَٱلَّذِى ٱسْتَهْوَتْهُ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ حَيْرَانَ لَهُۥٓ أَصْحَـٰبٌ يَدْعُونَهُۥٓ إِلَى ٱلْهُدَى ٱئْتِنَا ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ هُوَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ ۖ وَأُمِرْنَا لِنُسْلِمَ لِرَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٧١

Say, "Shall we invoke[317] instead of Allāh that which neither benefits us nor harms us and be turned back on our heels after Allāh has guided us? [We would then be] like one whom the devils enticed [to wander] upon the earth confused, [while] he has companions inviting him to guidance, [calling], 'Come to us.'"[318] Say, "Indeed, the guidance of Allāh is the [only] guidance; and we have been commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds.

Translator's notes

[317] i.e., worship. [318] The example given is of one who has lost his way and is further confused by the evil ones who tempt him to follow various directions, all leading to destruction. Although his sincere friends call him back to the right path, he ignores them.

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

71. Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Shall we invoke others besides Allâh (false deities), that can do us neither good nor harm, and shall we turn back on our heels after Allâh has guided us (to true Monotheism)? - like one whom the Shayâtîn (devils) have made to go astray in the land in confusion, his companions calling him to guidance (saying): ‘Come to us.’ " Say: "Verily, Allâh’s Guidance is the only guidance, and we have been commanded to submit (ourselves) to the Lord of the ‘Âlamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists);

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