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 is far more profound. He manipulates, distorts, and even makes people take him as an ally without realizing it. This blog will expose his plots and equip you with the awareness needed to fight back.
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 says:
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. He does not strike from one direction but from all angles—front, back, right, and left—leaving no escape for those who are heedless.
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
What It Looks Like:
- Some individuals reject hadith entirely, claiming, “The Qur’an is sufficient; hadith are unreliable because many are weak (da'eef) or fabricated.” Others deny certain prohibitions, such as those against music, arguing that they are not explicitly stated in the Qur’an.
- Justifying Open Sin: To excuse clear acts of disobedience—such as neglecting prayer or engaging in prohibited relationships—some argue, “Allah is merciful and forgives all sins.”
- Elevating Saints or the Dead: There are those who believe it is permissible to make du‘a (supplication) to deceased imams or righteous individuals. They misinterpret the allegorical verses (Mutashābihāt) related to those who have died in the path of Allah.
Why It’s Dangerous:
These arguments reframe Islamic teachings to suit personal preferences or modern social norms. When clear evidences from the Prophet’s ﷺ Sunnah and the scholarly consensus (ijma‘) are dismissed, people risk custom-tailoring Islam until it’s unrecognizable.
- 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)
Aligning with Shaytan isn’t always a call to abandon Islam outright—it often involves bending religion to fit desires.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Seek Knowledge Systematically: Study with reliable scholars; don’t rely on AI tools, videos or shorts created by influencers or platforms like Reddit, Quora, etc.
- Stay Balanced: True Islamic scholarship has always balanced Qur’an, Sunnah, and the consensus of scholars.
- Assess Intentions: Ask if you’re pursuing genuine truth or convenient shortcuts.
2. Beautifying Sin
What It Looks Like:
- Online streaming platforms, music videos, and television shows often glamorize infidelity, substance abuse, and dishonesty, presenting them as normal aspects of modern life.
- Peers may say, “Don’t be extreme—everyone’s doing it,” whether it involves lying to get ahead or showcasing immodesty online.
Why It’s Dangerous:
Minimizing the seriousness of sin distorts our moral compass. When smaller sins become normalized, more serious transgressions no longer seem as alarming.
- Allah says:
وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ فَهُمْ لَا يَهْتَدُونَ
"And Satan has made their deeds pleasing to them and averted them from [His] way, so they are not guided." (Surah An-Naml 27:24)
How to Protect Yourself:
- Reflect on Consequences: Short-term pleasure pales next to eternal accountability.
- Stay Mindful: Limit exposure to media that trivializes vice.
- Nurture Good Company: Surround yourself with people who encourage righteousness.
3. Making People Forget Allah
What It Looks Like:
- Hours vanish on social media and gaming, leaving little to no time for prayer or Qur’an.
- Exams, studies, meetings, and work tasks overshadow daily Salah and dhikr.
Why It’s Dangerous:
A heart that neglects remembering Allah becomes barren, easily swayed by material ambitions or peer pressure.
- Allah warns:
اسْتَحْوَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَأَنسَاهُمْ ذِكْرَ اللَّهِ
“Satan has overcome them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah.” (Surah Al-Mujadilah 58:19)
When the remembrance of Allah leaves a person’s heart, it becomes an easy target for Shaytan.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Prioritize Prayer: Guard Salah at its appointed times.
- Short but Frequent Dhikr: Use travel or waiting time to say “SubhanAllah,” “Alhamdulillah,” “Allahu Akbar.”
- Healthy Boundaries: Schedule screen-free moments to reconnect with the Quran and attend Islamic lectures or gatherings of knowledge.
4. Sowing Doubt and Anxiety
What It Looks Like:
- Whispered thoughts like, “Is my prayer valid?” or “Am I worthy of Allah’s mercy?” hamper spiritual progress.
- Seeing “perfect” Muslims on social media can spark insecurity: “I’ll never measure up.”
Why It’s Dangerous:
Persistent doubt breeds paralysis. If Shaytan convinces you everything is flawed, you may give up trying altogether.
Allah has revealed an entire Surah that teaches us to seek His protection from the whisperings of Shaytan:
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ
مَلِكِ ٱلنَّاسِ
إِلَـٰهِ ٱلنَّاسِ
مِن شَرِّ ٱلْوَسْوَاسِ ٱلْخَنَّاسِ
ٱلَّذِى يُوَسْوِسُ فِى صُدُورِ ٱلنَّاسِ
مِنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ
Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, The Sovereign of mankind, The God of mankind, From the evil of the retreating whisperer - Who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind - From among the jinn and mankind".
(Surah An-Nas 114:1–5)
How to Protect Yourself:
- Learn Essential Fiqh: Proper knowledge reduces confusion.
- Recite Protective Surahs: Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas for refuge.
- Take Action Despite Doubt: Sincere efforts—however small—are valued by Allah.
5. Leading People to Despair of Allah’s Mercy
What It Looks Like:
- After committing major sins, some assume they’re beyond forgiveness.
- If you believe you’re unforgivable, you might abandon Salah and other duties entirely.
Why It’s Dangerous:
Despair locks you in a cycle of inaction—perfect for Shaytan’s goal of distancing you from Allah.
- Allah says:
۞ قُلْ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allāh. Indeed, Allāh forgives all sins.1 Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful." (Surah Az-Zumar 39:53)
How to Protect Yourself:
- Remember Allah’s Boundless Mercy: Sincere repentance wipes away past sins.
- Keep Trying: As long as you're alive, you have a chance to turn back to Him.
- Seek Support: Connect with a positive community and trusted religious mentors.
IMPORTANT: Be cautious not to follow the example of those who misuse this verse to justify persisting in sin while ignoring the verses that speak of Allah’s wrath and punishment. As a believer, you must maintain a balance between hope in Allah’s mercy and fear of His punishment.
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.
