The 57th Call: Prohibition of Following the Footsteps of Satan
The 57th Call: Prohibition of Following the Footsteps of Satan
Almighty Allah says (what can be translated as): “O you who have believed, do not follow the footsteps of Satan. And whoever follows the footsteps of Satan - indeed, he enjoins immorality and wrongdoing. And if not for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy, not one of you would have been pure, ever, but Allah purifies whom He wills, and Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” (An-Nur: 21)
Almighty Allah commands the believers not to follow the footsteps and methods of Satan and the orders he gives to his supporters. Satan directs his followers to do obscenities, spread immoralities and commit sins. Whoever follows the footsteps of Satan will be dragged to committing obscenities. If it not for the favor of Allah that He blesses whomever He wills with repentance, pardon and purification of the spirit from polytheism, immorality and filth, no one among you would have been purified by Almighty Allah from his sins and his end would have been destruction, loss and immediate punishment. But, Almighty Allah purifies whom He wills and Allah is Hearing of what His servants say and Knowing of who deserves guidance among them.
Nothing but a terrible fate awaits the believers if they take just one step with Satan. They should steer away from him altogether and follow a different way. The very thought of following Satan is repugnant to believers. Hence, drawing it in this way and holding it in front of them should make them always alert. “And whoever follows the footsteps of Satan - indeed, he enjoins immorality and wrongdoing.” (Verse 21) This false story is a stark and gruesome example of how Satan leads believers to something evil.
Man is weak, susceptible to desires and whims which may leave him stained, unless he benefits by the grace of Allah when he turns to Him and follows His guidance: “And if not for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy, not one of you would have been pure, ever, but Allah purifies whom He wills, and Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” (Verse 21) When Allah’s light shines in the heart of a believer, the light purifies such heart. It is only through Allah’s favors and grace that people grow in purity. Since Allah knows all and hears all, He certainly knows the ones who deserve to be purified and who are genuinely good. It is these that He helps to grow in purity.
