Shaytan is not a passive enemy lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Rather, he is persistent, relentless, and dedicated to one mission—your downfall.
Since the moment of human creation, Shaytan’s enmity has never wavered. His strategies have only refined, his deception only strengthened. Yet, despite Allah’s repeated warnings in the Qur’an, many remain heedless, walking straight into his traps.
Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى warns:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُم بِاللَّهِ الْغَرُورُ
O people! Indeed, the promise of Allah is true. So do not let the life of this world deceive you, nor let the Deceiver (Shaytan) deceive you about Allah. (Surah Fatir 35:5)
Shaytan’s deception is not limited to whispering sinful temptations. His enmity towards mankind runs far deeper than mere whispers of sin. He infiltrates thoughts, distorts perceptions, and entices people into false security—making them believe they are on the right path while leading them astray.
His influence extends beyond the obvious; he crafts illusions, manipulates desires, and even convinces people to take him as an ally without realizing it. This blog will expose his sinister plots, unveil the hidden ways he deceives, and equip you with the awareness and strategies needed to recognize and resist his relentless attacks.
The Beginning of Shaytan’s Enmity
The enmity of Shaytan did not start with you, nor did it start with your forefathers. It began the moment Adam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام was created. From that day, Iblis made it his life's mission to mislead humanity.
Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى recounts:
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ كَانَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِ
And [mention] when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate to Adam,’ and they prostrated, except for Iblis. He was of the jinn and departed from the command of his Lord. (Surah Al-Kahf 18:50)
Iblis refused to bow due to his arrogance. In response, Allah expelled him from Jannah, but Iblis was not done. Instead, he made a vow:
قَالَ فَبِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِي لَأَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَاطَكَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
ثُمَّ لَآتِيَنَّهُم مِّن بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ وَعَنْ أَيْمَانِهِمْ وَعَن شَمَائِلِهِمْ وَلَا تَجِدُ أَكْثَرَهُمْ شَاكِرِينَ
Because You have put me in error, I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them, and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful. (Surah Al-A'raf 7:16-17)
This is his battle plan. Shaytan does not strike from one direction alone but launches his attacks from all angles—front, back, right, and left—surrounding his target with relentless deception.
He infiltrates thoughts, emotions, and actions, exploiting weaknesses and manipulating desires. His approach is insidious, adapting to each individual’s vulnerabilities, whether through doubts, false hopes, distractions, or outright sin.
He leaves no escape for those who are heedless, trapping them in webs of delusion and false security. Only those who are vigilant, steadfast in faith, and equipped with knowledge can break free from his grasp.
How Shaytan Attacks Humanity
Shaytan’s enmity manifests in multiple ways, and recognizing these strategies is the first step in defending yourself.
1. Misguiding Through False Interpretation of Religion
Shaytan does not just call to open sin. He deceives through misinterpretation, making people twist Allah’s words to justify disobedience. Allah warns:
أَفَتَتَّخِذُونَهُ وَذُرِّيَّتَهُ أَوْلِيَاءَ مِن دُونِي وَهُمْ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ ۚ بِئْسَ لِلظَّالِمِينَ بَدَلًا
Then would you take him and his descendants as allies other than Me while they are enemies to you? Wretched it is for the wrongdoers as an exchange.” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:50)
Taking Shaytan as a friend does not mean literally worshipping him. It means adopting his ideology, following his whispers, and rejecting divine guidance.
2. Making Sins Appealing
One of Shaytan’s oldest tricks is beautifying sin. He persuades people that disobedience brings freedom, power, and success. Allah says:
وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ فَهُمْ لَا يَهْتَدُونَ
And Iblis has made their deeds pleasing to them and averted them from [His] way, so they are not guided.” (Surah An-Naml 27:24)
This deception has led many astray—people justifying lies, oppression, and immorality while believing they are on the right path.
3. Making People Forget Allah
The ultimate destruction of a person begins when they forget Allah. Shaytan's goal is to remove the remembrance of Allah from hearts and tongues. Allah warns:
اسْتَحْوَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَأَنسَاهُمْ ذِكْرَ اللَّهِ
Satan has overcome them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah.” (Surah Al-Mujadila 58:19)
When the remembrance of Allah leaves a person’s heart, it becomes an easy target for Shaytan.
The Ultimate Betrayal: Shaytan on the Day of Judgment
For those who follow him, Shaytan will not defend them on the Day of Judgment. Instead, he will abandon them, exposing his deception. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى narrates his final speech:
وَقَالَ الشَّيْطَانُ لَمَّا قُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَعَدَكُمْ وَعْدَ الْحَقِّ وَوَعَدتُّكُمْ فَأَخْلَفْتُكُمْ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ لِيَ عَلَيْكُم مِّن سُلْطَانٍ إِلَّا أَن دَعَوْتُكُمْ فَاسْتَجَبْتُمْ لِي ۖ فَلَا تَلُومُونِي وَلُومُوا أَنفُسَكُم ۖ مَّا أَنَا بِمُصْرِخِكُمْ وَمَا أَنتُم بِمُصْرِخِيَّ ۖ إِنِّي كَفَرْتُ بِمَا أَشْرَكْتُمُونِ مِن قَبْلُ ۗ إِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
And Satan will say when the matter has been concluded, "Indeed, Allah had promised you the promise of truth. And I promised you, but I betrayed you. But I had no authority over you except that I invited you, and you responded to me. So do not blame me; but blame yourselves. I cannot be called to your aid, nor can you be called to my aid. Indeed, I deny your association of me [with Allah] before. Indeed, for the wrongdoers is a painful punishment." (Surah Ibrahim 14:22)
This is Shaytan’s final and most treacherous trick. He lures people into following him, making sin seem tempting and justified. But when the consequences arrive, he abandons them, leaving them in regret.
How to Protect Yourself From Shaytan
- Strengthen Your Connection With the Qur'an
- Engage in Dhikr
- Seek Refuge in Allah
- Pray On Time and with Khushu'
- Surround Yourself with Righteous Companions
Take the Next Step in Defeating Shaytan!
Now that you've had a glimpse into the battle against Shaytan, you’re probably feeling empowered—but also eager to learn more. The reality is, this war against deception is lifelong, and the more you equip yourself with knowledge, the stronger your defense becomes.
At AMAU Academy, we’ve designed a powerful course on How to Defeat Shaytan, exposing his tricks, deceptions, and the strategies to overcome them. This is your opportunity to fortify your faith, sharpen your awareness, and step up in this battle with full confidence.
