And they followed what the satans recited during the reign of Solomon; and Solomon denied not; but the satans denied, teaching men sorcery, and what was sent down upon the two angels at Babylon, Hārūt and Mārūt. And they taught no one until they had said: “We are but a means of denial, so deny thou not.” Then from them they learn that by which they cause division between a man and his wife; but they harm no one thereby save by the leave of God. And they learn what harms them, and profits them not, knowing well that whoso buys it has in the Hereafter no share; and evil is that for which they sold their souls, had they but known.
| # | word | meaning | root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | wa-ittabaʿū | And they followed | تبع |
| 2 | mā | what | |
| 3 | tatlū | recite(d) | تلو |
| 4 | l-shayāṭīnu | the devils | شطن |
| 5 | ʿalā | over | |
| 6 | mul'ki | (the) kingdom | ملك |
| 7 | sulaymāna | (of) Sulaiman | |
| 8 | wamā | And not | |
| 9 | kafara | disbelieved | كفر |
| 10 | sulaymānu | Sulaiman | |
| 11 | walākinna | [and] but | |
| 12 | l-shayāṭīna | the devils | شطن |
| 13 | kafarū | disbelieved | كفر |
| 14 | yuʿallimūna | they teach | علم |
| 15 | l-nāsa | the people | نوس |
| 16 | l-siḥ'ra | [the] magic | سحر |
| 17 | wamā | and what | |
| 18 | unzila | was sent down | نزل |
| 19 | ʿalā | to | |
| 20 | l-malakayni | the two angels | ملك |
| 21 | bibābila | in Babylon | |
| 22 | hārūta | Harut | |
| 23 | wamārūta | and Marut | |
| 24 | wamā | And not | |
| 25 | yuʿallimāni | they both teach | علم |
| 26 | min | any | |
| 27 | aḥadin | one | احد |
| 28 | ḥattā | unless | |
| 29 | yaqūlā | they [both] say | قول |
| 30 | innamā | Only | |
| 31 | naḥnu | we | |
| 32 | fit'natun | (are) a trial | فتن |
| 33 | falā | so (do) not | |
| 34 | takfur | disbelieve | كفر |
| 35 | fayataʿallamūna | But they learn | علم |
| 36 | min'humā | from those two | |
| 37 | mā | what | |
| 38 | yufarriqūna | [they] causes separation | فرق |
| 39 | bihi | with it | |
| 40 | bayna | between | بين |
| 41 | l-mari | the man | مرا |
| 42 | wazawjihi | and his spouse | زوج |
| 43 | wamā | And not | |
| 44 | hum | they (could) | |
| 45 | biḍārrīna | at all [be those who] harm | ضرر |
| 46 | bihi | with it | |
| 47 | min | any | |
| 48 | aḥadin | one | احد |
| 49 | illā | except | |
| 50 | bi-idh'ni | by permission | اذن |
| 51 | l-lahi | (of) Allah | |
| 52 | wayataʿallamūna | And they learn | علم |
| 53 | mā | what | |
| 54 | yaḍurruhum | harms them | ضرر |
| 55 | walā | and not | |
| 56 | yanfaʿuhum | profits them | نفع |
| 57 | walaqad | And indeed | |
| 58 | ʿalimū | they knew | علم |
| 59 | lamani | that whoever | |
| 60 | ish'tarāhu | buys it | شري |
| 61 | mā | not | |
| 62 | lahu | for him | |
| 63 | fī | in | |
| 64 | l-ākhirati | the Hereafter | اخر |
| 65 | min | any | |
| 66 | khalāqin | share | خلق |
| 67 | walabi'sa | And surely evil | باس |
| 68 | mā | (is) what | |
| 69 | sharaw | they sold | شري |
| 70 | bihi | with it | |
| 71 | anfusahum | themselves | نفس |
| 72 | law | if | |
| 73 | kānū | they were | كون |
| 74 | yaʿlamūna | (to) know | علم |
They follow what the shaytans recited in the reign of Sulayman. Sulayman did not become kafir, but the shaytans did, teaching people sorcery and what had been sent down to Harut and Marut, the two angels in Babylon, who taught no one without first saying to him, ‘We are merely a trial and temptation, so do not become kafir.’ People learned from them how to separate a man and his wife but they cannot harm anyone by it, except with Allah's permission. They have learned what will harm them and will not benefit them. They know that any who deal in it will have no share in Next World. What an evil thing they have sold themselves for if they only knew!
And they followed what the devils recited regarding Solomon's kingship. Solomon did not reject, but it was the devils that rejected by teaching people magic, and teaching them what was sent down on the two Angels in Babylon, Haroot and Maroot. They did not teach anyone until they would Say: "We are a test, so do not lose faith!" Thus they teach what can separate between a person and his mate; but they cannot harm anyone except by God's permission. And they learn what harms them and does not benefit them, and they have known that he who purchases such has no place in the Hereafter. Miserable indeed is what they purchased with their souls if only they knew!
(They followed conjecture in the past as well. ) Some rebellious people spread a rumor in the Kingdom of Solomon. Solomon never disbelieved in the Divine Laws, but the rebellious ones did. They fabricated a story that two angels Harut and Marut had descended in Babylon and taught magic to people. That they used to warn people, "We are only a temptation, therefore be not oblivious to the rational Divine Laws." The rumor further stated that people learned magic from these two angels how to create discord between a man and his wife. (This entire story is nothing but falsehood. Magic, amulets, ghoul, demon-possession, exorcism, witchcraft, evil eye, fortune telling, astrology, palm reading, clairvoyance, voodoo are nothing but conjecture). These things can neither harm nor benefit anyone since they are contrary to the Divine Laws in Nature ((3:123-127), (6:73), (7:54), (45:22)). (Superstitions can harm people by becoming self-fulfilling prophecies). And that which they try to learn only harms them and profits not. They are well aware that any person indulging in this trade (of the so-called "Occult sciences") will be a loser in the long run, and shall have no portion in the Hereafter. And surely, evil is the price for which they (magicians, diviners, clairvoyants, fortunetellers and claimants to witchcraft) sell their humanity, if they but knew better.
And they followed what the satans recited during the reign of Solomon; and Solomon denied not; but the satans denied, teaching men sorcery, and what was sent down upon the two angels at Babylon, Hārūt and Mārūt. And they taught no one until they had said: “We are but a means of denial, so deny thou not.” Then from them they learn that by which they cause division between a man and his wife; but they harm no one thereby save by the leave of God. And they learn what harms them, and profits them not, knowing well that whoso buys it has in the Hereafter no share; and evil is that for which they sold their souls, had they but known.
And they followed what the devils recited regarding the kingship of Solomon. Solomon did not reject, but it was the devils who rejected by teaching people magic, and teaching them what was sent down on the two angels in Babylon, Haroot and Maroot. They did not teach anyone until they would say: "We are a test, so do not lose faith!" Thus they teach what can separate between a person and his mate; but they cannot harm anyone except with the permission of God. And they learn what harms them and does not benefit them, and they have known that he who purchases such has no place in the Hereafter. Miserable indeed is what they purchased with their souls if only they knew!
They followed what the devils recited regarding Solomon's kingship. Solomon did not reject, but it was the devils that rejected by teaching people magic and what was sent down on the two controllers in Babylon, Haroot and Maroot. They would not teach anyone until they would say, "We are a test, so do not be unappreciative!" Thus, they teach what can separate a person from his mate; but they cannot harm anyone except by God's permission. They learn what harms them and does not benefit them, and they have known that he who purchases such a thing has no place in the Hereafter. Miserable indeed is what they traded themselves with; if only they knew!
They pursued what the devils taught concerning Solomon's kingdom. Solomon, however, was not a disbeliever, but the devils were disbelievers. They taught the people sorcery, and that which was sent down through the two angels of Babel, Haroot and Maroot. These two did not divulge such knowledge without pointing out: "This is a test. You shall not abuse such knowledge." But the people used it in such evil schemes as the breaking up of marriages. They can never harm anyone against the will of GOD. They thus learn what hurts them, not what benefits them, and they know full well that whoever practices witchcraft will have no share in the Hereafter. Miserable indeed is what they sell their souls for, if they only knew.
When a messenger was sent to them by God affirming the Books they had already received, some of them put (His message) behind their backs as if they had no knowledge of it.
And they followed what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Harut and Marut. But the two angels do not teach anyone unless they say, "We are a trial, so do not disbelieve ." And they learn from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife. But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allah. And the people learn what harms them and does not benefit them. But the Children of Israel certainly knew that whoever purchased the magic would not have in the Hereafter any share. And wretched is that for which they sold themselves, if they only knew.
and follow that which the evil ones used to practice during Solomon's reign - for it was not Solomon who denied the truth, but those evil ones denied it by teaching people sorcery -; and that which has come down through the two angels in Babylon, Hurut and Marut-although these two never taught it to anyone without first declaring, "We are but a temptation to evil: do not, then, deny truth!" And they learn from these two how to create discord between a man and his wife; but whereas they can harm none thereby save by God's leave, they acquire a knowledge that only harms themselves and does not benefit them - although they know; indeed, that he who acquires this shall have no share in the good of the life to come. For, vile indeed is that for which they have sold their own selves -had they but known it!
And follow that which the devils falsely related against the kingdom of Solomon. Solomon disbelieved not; but the devils disbelieved, teaching mankind magic and that which was revealed to the two angels in Babel, Harut and Marut. Nor did they (the two angels) teach it to anyone till they had said: We are only a temptation, therefore disbelieve not (in the guidance of Allah). And from these two (angles) people learn that by which they cause division between man and wife; but they injure thereby no-one save by Allah's leave. And they learn that which harmeth them and profiteth them not. And surely they do know that he who trafficketh therein will have no (happy) portion in the Hereafter; and surely evil is the price for which they sell their souls, if they but knew.
and then followed what the evil ones falsely attributed to the Kingdom of Solomon* even though Solomon had never disbelieved; it is the evil ones who disbelieved, teaching people magic. And they followed what had been revealed to the two angels in Babylon – Harut and Marut – although these two (angels) never taught it to anyone without first declaring: "We are merely a means of testing people; so, do not engage in unbelief."* And yet they learned from them what might cause division between a man and his wife*. They could not cause harm to anyone except by the leave of Allah, and still they learned what harmed rather than profited them, knowing well that he who bought it will have no share in the World to Come. Evil indeed is what they sold themselves for. Had they but known!
And they pursued vanity and neglected religion; they were attracted to characteristics befitting AL-Shayatin who attributed Sulayman's (Solomon) prerogative of Prophethood and power to the art of sorcery and occult qualities; a defying impiety and a serious offence for which Sulayman was innocent. In fact it was the blasphemers who defied Allah. They taught people necromancy which they practised through contact with evil spirits and through the knowledge they acquired from revelations imparted to the two angelic Babylonians Harùt and Marut. But Harùt and Marùt made it clear that their art was a source of temptation and an incitement to evil and they cautioned against indulgence as it meant defiance to Allah. Yet those blasphemers pursued the evil aspect of this art using those spirits to sow discord between husband and wife and other similar evil acts. Nonetheless no one suffers harm unless divinely predetermined. They applied themselves to learning the art which inflicts harm upon them and they derive no profit from it. Yet they knew that he who engages in sorcery for vice shall have no bliss of the Hereafter; how worthless was the price they received for selling their own souls to immorality and wickedness if they only knew!
These are the same people who used to practice black magic. The Satan had convinced them that the greatness of the Solomon’s kingdom was due to such practices! Solomon, in fact, was never involved in these types of activities as he was a believer. The Satan’s army , however, belonged to the camp of the disbelievers. The tatters were enchanted by the knowledge of the two Angels known as Haroot and Maroot who were sent to the Babylon. These two, however, would always teach the art of the black magic with the following warning: "The possession of this trial is only meant for your trial (to see how you will use it.)" People, instead, used their knowledge to cast a spell between husbands and wives leading to their separation. The sorcerers, naturally, could not harm anyone without the permission of God What they learned, however, did not profit them. Besides, they knew well that the sorcery will ruin their Hereafter. If they knew what price they are paying for their fascination with magic.
They followed what the Shayâtîn (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaimân (Solomon). Sulaimân did not disbelieve, but the Shayâtîn (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Hârût and Mârût, but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allâh’s Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their ownselves, if they but knew.
They followed what the evil ones gave out (falsely) against the power of Solomon: the blasphemers Were, not Solomon, but the evil ones, teaching men Magic, and such things as came down at babylon to the angels Harut and Marut. But neither of these taught anyone (Such things) without saying: "We are only for trial; so do not blaspheme." They learned from them the means to sow discord between man and wife. But they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's permission. And they learned what harmed them, not what profited them. And they knew that the buyers of (magic) would have no share in the happiness of the Hereafter. And vile was the price for which they did sell their souls, if they but knew!
They ˹instead˺ followed the magic promoted by the devils during the reign of Solomon. Never did Solomon disbelieve, rather the devils disbelieved. They taught magic to the people, along with what had been revealed to the two angels, Hârût and Mârût, in Babylon. The two angels never taught anyone without saying, "We are only a test ˹for you˺, so do not abandon ˹your˺ faith." Yet people learned ˹magic˺ that caused a rift ˹even˺ between husband and wife; although their magic could not harm anyone except by Allah’s Will. They learned what harmed them and did not benefit them—although they already knew that whoever buys into magic would have no share in the Hereafter. Miserable indeed was the price for which they sold their souls, if only they knew!
They followed what the devils used to recite in the reign of Sulaimān (Solomon); and it was not Sulaimān who became an infidel, but the devils did become infidels, teaching people magic, and what had been sent down to the two angels, Hārūt and Mārūt, in Babylon. And these two did not teach anyone without first having said (to him), "We are but a trial, so do not go infidel." Then, they used to learn from them that with which they could cause separation between a man and his wife. But they were not to bring harm through it to anyone without the will of Allah.They used to learn what harmed them and did no good to them; and they certainly knew that he who buys it has no share in the Hereafter. And, indeed, vile is the thing for which they sold themselves away. If only they knew!
and followed what the evil ones had fabricated about the Kingdom of Solomon instead. Not that Solomon himself was a disbeliever; it was the evil ones who were disbelievers. They taught people witchcraft and what was revealed in Babylon to the two angels Harut and Marut. Yet these two never taught anyone without first warning him, ‘We are sent only to tempt- do not disbelieve.’ From these two, they learned what can cause discord between man and wife, although they harm no one with it except by God’s leave. They learned what harmed them, not what benefited them, knowing full well that whoever gained would lose any share in the Hereafter. Evil indeed is the for which they sold their souls, if only they knew.
and they follow what the Satans recited over Solomon's kingdom. Solomon disbelieved not, but the Satans disbelieved, teaching the people sorcery, and that which was sent down upon Babylon's two angels, Harut and Marut; they taught not any man, without they said, 'We are but a temptation; do not disbelieve.' From them they learned how they might divide a man and his wife, yet they did not hurt any man thereby, save by the leave of God, and they learned what hurt them, and did not profit them, knowing well that whoso buys it shall have no share in the world to come; evil then was that they sold themselves for, if they had but known.
And they follow that which the devils recited against Solomons kingdom;- it was not Solomon who misbelieved, but the devils who misbelieved, teaching men sorcery,- and what has been revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Harut and Marut; yet these taught no one until they said, 'We are but a temptation, so do not misbelieve. ' Men learn from them only that by which they may part man and wife; but they can harm no one therewith, unless with the permission of God, and they learn what hurts them and profits them not. And yet they knew that he who purchased it would have no portion in the future; but sad is the price at which they have sold their souls, had they but known.
And they follow that which the devils recited against Solomon's kingdom;- it was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils who disbelieved, teaching men sorcery, and what has been revealed to the two angels, Harut and Marut, at Babylon, yet neither taught any one until they said, "We are but a temptation, so do not blaspheme. " Men learn from them only that by which they may part man and wife; but they can harm no one therewith, unless with the permission of Allah, and they learn what hurts them, not what profits them. And they knew that those who indulge in magic would have no share in the bliss of the Hereafter. Vile is the price of that for which they sell their souls, if they but knew.
And they closely followed what the Ash-Shayatîn (the all-vicious (ones), i. e., the devils) recited over Sulayman's (Soloman's) kingdom. And in no way did Sulayman (Solomon) disbelieve but Ash- Shayatîn (The all-vicious (ones), i.e., the devils) disbelieved, teaching mankind sorcery, and that which was sent down upon the two Angels in Babil, (Babylon) Harût and Marût; and in no way did they teach anyone till they said, "Surely we are only a temptation, so, do not disbelieve." Then from them (The two angels) they learned that by which they could cause separation between a person and his spouse. And in no way are they harming anyone except by the permission of Allah; and they learned what harmed them and did not profit them. And indeed they already knew that indeed whoever trades it, in no way should he have any apportioning (of Grace) in the Hereafter; and miserable indeed was (that) for which they bartered themselves, if they had known (the Truth).
And they followed the device which the devils devised against the kingdom of Solomon; and Solomon was not an unbeliever; but the devils believed not, they taught men sorcery, and that which was sent down to the two angels at Babel, Harut and Marut: Yet those two taught no man until they had said, verily we are a temptation, therefore be not an unbeliever. So men learned from those two a charm by which they might cause division between a man and his wife; but they hurt none thereby, unless by God's permission; and they learned that which would hurt them, and not profit them; and yet they knew that he who bought that art should have no part in the life to come, and woful is the price for which they have sold their souls, if they knew it.
They followed what the Satans falsified against the belief of Sulaiman (Solomon); But the Satans disbelieved, teaching men magic, and such things as came down at Babel (Babylon), to the angels, Harut and Marut. (These are two idolized men from the ancient times.) But neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) without warning: "We are only for trial; So do not disbelieve or curse." They learnt from them the means to cause separation between man and wife. But they could not harm anyone except by Allah’s permission. And they learnt that which harms them and helps them not and they knew that the buyers of (such magic) would have no share in the happiness of the Hereafter. And low was the price for which they sold their souls, if they only knew!
Moreover, they (- the Jews of the Prophet's time) pursue (the same tactics) which the rebels had followed against the empire of Solomon. And it was not Solomon that had committed breach of faith, but it was the rebels that had committed breach of faith. They (- the Jews of Madînah) teach the people the modes of intriguing; and also (pursue) that which had (once) been revealed to the two angels, Hârût and Mârût in Babylon. But these two would not teach (anything to) anyone without first declaring, `We are but a trial (for you here), do not, therefore commit breach of faith.' So they (- the followers of Hârût and Mârût), learnt from them that (teaching) by which they made a distinction between man and his wife, (- they taught men only and not women), yet they would not harm anyone thereby (by their practice), save by the command of Allâh. But these people (- the Jews of the Prophet's time, on the contrary) are learning things that would harm them and do them no good. (They do it) even though they know that he who adopts this course will have no share (of good) in the Hereafter. Indeed, evil is that thing which they have sold themselves for. Had they but known (this fact).
And they followed what the devils pursued during Solomon’s reign —and Solomon did not turn faithless, but it was the devils who were faithless— teaching the people magic, and what was sent down to the two angels at Babylon, Hārūt and Mārūt, and they would not teach anyone without telling , ‘We are only a test, so do not be faithless. ’ But they would learn from those two that with which they would cause a split between man and his wife —though they could not harm anyone with it except with Allah’s leave. And they would learn that which would harm them and bring them no benefit; though they certainly knew that anyone who buys it has no share in the Hereafter. Surely, evil is that for which they sold their souls; had they known!