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Tricks of the devils from man and jinn to deceive people from Surat al Anam

ByShaykh Haytham Tamim

The beauty and timelessness of the Quran is evident in Surat al Anam, when Allah says:

وَذَرُوا۟ ظَـٰهِرَ ٱلْإِثْمِ وَبَاطِنَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكْسِبُونَ ٱلْإِثْمَ سَيُجْزَوْنَ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَقْتَرِفُونَ ١٢٠

Shun all sin—open and secret. Indeed, those who commit sin will be punished for what they earn. (6:120)

Throughout all generations and nations, the path to guidance has always been through obeying Allah’s commands. 

Wearing different masks

Dhahir al-ithm refers to outward sins – those visible to others, while inward sins are not apparent to others. Some people pretend to be righteous in public but in private they are evil. They conceal their true nature behind multiple masks—one for business, one for public speaking, one for religious gatherings. Just as they change outfits or accessories, they switch their mask to fit different settings. 

However, Allah commands us to be pure both internally and externally. True righteousness is having a sincere and consistent character. A true believer is not double-faced —he has just one. This is an important lesson.

Argumentation

In the next ayah, Allah says:

وَإِنَّ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلَىٰٓ أَوۡلِيَآئِهِمۡ لِيُجَٰدِلُوكُمۡۖ وَإِنۡ أَطَعۡتُمُوهُمۡ إِنَّكُمۡ لَمُشۡرِكُونَ

And indeed do the devils inspire their allies [among men] to dispute with you. And if you were to obey them, indeed, you would be associators [of others with Him]. (6:121)

The devils inspire their friends and followers to argue with you. Jidaal (argumentation) and the verb yujaadilukum (they argue with you) are mentioned many times in the Quran and almost always in a negative context, with the exception of the ayah, in which Allah Almighty says:

وَلَا تُجَٰدِلُوٓاْ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحۡسَنُ

And do not argue with the People of the Book except in the best way. (29:46)

Some people specialise in argumentation. We see such people today in the news who are argumentative. They keep arguing that the truth is false and that falsehood is the truth. They argue and argue making you feel disgusted. The shayateen inspire such people with what to say, and how to craft their narrative. Do not get entangled in arguments with them. Work and don’t waste your energy debating with them.

Beautifying evil

In every town and in every country, the are the biggest devils who create wreak havoc, spreading corruption and destruction, believing they are in control.

وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلۡنَا فِي كُلِّ قَرۡيَةٍ أَكَٰبِرَ مُجۡرِمِيهَا لِيَمۡكُرُواْ فِيهَاۖ وَمَا يَمۡكُرُونَ إِلَّا بِأَنفُسِهِمۡ وَمَا يَشۡعُرُونَ

And thus We have placed within every city the greatest of its criminals to conspire therein. But they conspire not except against themselves, and they perceive [it] not. (6:123)

Those who scheme and oppress believe they are achieving something, yet in reality, they are only harming themselves—though they are completely unaware.

This is exactly what we witness today, particularly in Palestine. The oppressors believe they are securing power, but in doing so, they are destroying their own reputation, morality, and legacy.

They are the true losers—yet they remain blind to their downfall. By the time they realise the consequences of their actions, it will be too late. They are the biggest losers but they do not see it yet.

وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُوَلِّي بَعۡضَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ بَعۡضَۢا بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ

And thus will We make some of the wrongdoers allies of others for what they used to earn. (6:129)

Alliances with oppressors

Those who make alliances with the enemy will be resurrected with them on the Day of Judgement. Those who side with the wrong doers and betray their people will regret it, but it will be too late.

Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:

عن أَنَس بْن مَالِكٍ ـ رضي الله عنه ـ قَالَ بَيْنَمَا أَنَا وَالنَّبِيُّ، صلى الله عليه وسلم خَارِجَانِ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ فَلَقِيَنَا رَجُلٌ عِنْدَ سُدَّةِ الْمَسْجِدِ، فَقَالَ؛ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَتَى السَّاعَةُ؟ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم: ‏”‏ مَا أَعْدَدْتَ لَهَا؟ ‏”‏ فَكَأَنَّ الرَّجُلَ اسْتَكَانَ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا أَعْدَدْتُ لَهَا كَبِيرَ صِيَامٍ، وَلاَ صَلاَةٍ، وَلاَ صَدَقَةٍ، وَلَكِنِّي أُحِبُّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ‏.‏ قَالَ: ‏”‏ أَنْتَ مَعَ مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ ‏”‏‏.‏رواه البخاري.

While the Prophet (ﷺ) and I were coming out of the mosque, a man met us outside the gate. The man said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! When will be the Hour?” The Prophet (ﷺ) asked him, “What have you prepared for it?” The man became afraid and ashamed and then said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! I haven’t prepared for it much of fasts, prayers or charitable gifts but I love Allah and His Apostle.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “You will be with the one whom you love.” (Bukhari)

Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said they never felt more joyful since receiving Islam than when they heard this hadith. Despite all their mistakes and shortcomings, the fact that they would be with the Prophet (peace be upon him)

Side with the awliyaullah (those close to Allah) and righteous people, so you will be resurrected with them.

Delivered by Shaykh Haytham Tamim as a tarawih reflection on 5th Ramadan / 5th March 2025. Transcribed by H Khan

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