سورة المجادلة

Ali ibn Ibrahim (may Allah have mercy on him): اسْتَحْوَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الشَّيْطانُ فَأَنْساهُمْ ذِكْرَ اللهِ [The Shaitan has gained the mastery over them, so he has made them forget the remembrance of Allah] — that is, Satan overcame them; أُولئِكَ حِزْبُ الشَّيْطانِ [they are the Shaitan's party] — that is, they are Satan's helpers.

Imam Askari (peace be upon him): A tawqi' (written directive) was issued from Imam Askari (peace be upon him) to one of the Banu Asbat, who said: "I wrote a letter to His Eminence and mentioned that the followers are in disagreement about you; I request that you show a proof or miracle. In reply he wrote to me: Allah has addressed the people of intellect. No one has the ability to bring a miracle or proof greater than what the Seal of the Prophets (peace be upon him and his family) brought — yet about His Eminence they said: sorcerer, magician, and liar. Allah guides whoever is fit for guidance. Yet a proof brings peace of mind to most people. The matter, however, is such that when Allah the Mighty gives us permission to speak, we speak, and when He restrains us from speaking, at that time we remain silent. If He had not wished the truth to be made manifest, He would not have sent the prophets with glad tidings and warnings. They made the truth manifest in both weakness and strength, and guided the people at appointed times. Allah will carry out what He Himself has decreed and ruled. People are of several categories: the one who seeks reality is on the path of salvation and deliverance. He clasps the truth, clings to a firm branch, has no doubt or uncertainty, and finds no refuge except in it. Another group does not seek the truth from its rightful people; they are like one travelling by ship at sea whom the roaring waves carry in every direction, and when the waves subside he is calm. Yet another group — Satan has deceived them, and their occupation is rejecting the people of truth."

Fiqh al-Rida (peace be upon him): Know that the drinker of wine is like an idol-worshipper, and like one who has intercourse with his mother in the Sanctuary of Allah. On the Day of Resurrection he will be raised with the Jews, the Christians, the Magians, and the polytheists — أُولئِکَ حِزْبُ الشَّیْطانِ أَلا إِنَّ حِزْبَ الشَّیْطانِ هُمُ الْخاسِرُون [they are the party of Satan; now surely the party of Satan are the losers].

Imam Ali (peace be upon him): Beware of the hypocrites! They are astray and they lead you astray. They are people of slipping and they cause you to slip. They appear in various colours and stir up all kinds of sedition. They wish to reach you by every means and cast you into their trap. Their hearts are diseased and full of deceit and treachery, but their faces are pure and they display good character and good manners. They walk softly, without anyone noticing them, and hide themselves from view ... They speak and cast people into doubt, and they describe and portray, and turn people away from the truth. The hypocrites regard paths as easy and consider matters simple; they see narrow places as wide. They are the party of Satan and the heat of the Fire; أُولئِکَ حِزْبُ الشَّیْطانِ أَلا إِنَّ حِزْبَ الشَّیْطانِ هُمُ الْخاسِرُونَ [They are the party of Satan; indeed the party of Satan are the losers].

Imam Husayn (peace be upon him): Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) said: ... The sermon of Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) when he cast a glance at their ranks, which were like a flood, and he said: "Our Allah is an excellent Lord, but you are evil people. For [in your own imagination] you acknowledged obedience and believed in Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), then you turned your backs on the offspring and family of your Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and wish to martyr them. Truly, Satan has gained mastery over you and made you forget the remembrance of the Great Allah. May you and this intention of yours be destroyed! 'Indeed we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return.' (Baqarah/156) These are the people who disbelieved after their faith. (Al Imran/86) Far be the wrongdoing people [from Allah's mercy]!. (Muminun/41)".

Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him): It is narrated from Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) that he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said: While Musa ibn Imran (peace be upon him) was sitting, suddenly Satan arrived, wearing a multi-coloured garment, and came near Musa (peace be upon him). Satan took off his garment and sat beside Musa (peace be upon him) and greeted him. Musa said: "Who are you?" He said: "I am Iblis." He said: "You are Iblis — may Allah destroy your house." Satan said: I have come to greet you because you have a station with Allah. Musa (peace be upon him) said to him: "What is this cap you have placed on your head?" He said: "By means of it I draw the hearts of the children of Adam towards myself." Musa said: "Tell me which is the sin that, when the son of Adam commits it, you gain mastery over him." He said: "Whenever he becomes self-admiring and regards his sins as small." The Noble Messenger (peace be upon him and his family) said: "Allah the Exalted said to Dawud (peace be upon him): 'O Dawud (peace be upon him)! Give glad tidings to the sinners and warn the truthful ones.' He said: 'How shall I do this?' He said: 'O Dawud (peace be upon him)! Give glad tidings to the sinners that I forgive their sins and accept repentance, and tell the truthful ones also not to be self-admiring and not to be deceived by their deeds, and to know that servants perish at the time of reckoning.'".

Imam Ali (peace be upon him): O people, indeed the beginning of the appearance of tribulations is the following of desires and the introducing of rulings contrary to the Quran, which one group of people takes up in support of another. If falsehood were bare, it would not be hidden from any person of intellect; and if truth were unmixed, no disagreement would arise. But a handful of truth and a handful of falsehood are taken and blended together and brought forward together — this is where Satan gains mastery over his friends, and those for whom the good has already gone forth from Allah are saved.