The verse: “And do not follow the footsteps of Satan”
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The second question of Fatwa No. ( 20703 )
Q2: Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Baqarah 2:168] , what are the footsteps of Satan ? And does looking at women who are not mahrams, whether directly or via satellite channels, or conversing with them on the phone or in the markets with amorous or sexual talk, count among the footsteps of Satan? Or reading books of love and passion, and magazines of art and fashion containing pictures of captivating actresses and female artists? Does this count as being of this kind? And what is our obligation toward one who has fallen into any of this? Please inform us; may Allah reward you.
A2: As for the footsteps of Satan, Ibn Kathir said in (his Tafsir, vol. 1, p. 204) that Qatadah and al-Suddi said: Every disobedience to Allah is among the footsteps of Satan. And Ikrimah said: They are the stings of Satan. And Mujahid said: His errors and his sins. And Abu Mijlaz said: They are vows made in disobedience. And al-Qurtubi said in (his Tafsir, vol. 1, p. 308): I say: The correct view is that the term is general for everything other than the Sunnahs and the Shari'ah, including innovations and sins. And by this it becomes clear that they are every sin by which Allah is disobeyed. So whoever contradicts what Allah has commanded and what Allah and His Messenger have legislated, or violates the prohibitions of Allah, has disobeyed Allah. And all that was mentioned in the question is among the footsteps of Satan, his paths, and his means
which he commands. Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Baqarah 2:169] . And whoever falls into any of that, it is obligatory for him to make sincere repentance from it, and not to return to such bad deeds. And whoever knows of one who is characterized by that should advise him with gentleness and softness, and explain to him the bad consequences resulting from his action, and encourage him to do good deeds and draw near to Allah through voluntary acts and worship, and to perform the prayer in congregation as Allah and His Messenger commanded, for the prayer forbids immorality and what is wrong. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q2: Allah the Exalted said:
and do not follow the footsteps of Satan
وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِA2: As for the footsteps of Satan, Ibn Kathir said in (his Tafsir, vol. 1, p. 204) that Qatadah and al-Suddi said: Every disobedience to Allah is among the footsteps of Satan. And Ikrimah said: They are the stings of Satan. And Mujahid said: His errors and his sins. And Abu Mijlaz said: They are vows made in disobedience. And al-Qurtubi said in (his Tafsir, vol. 1, p. 308): I say: The correct view is that the term is general for everything other than the Sunnahs and the Shari'ah, including innovations and sins. And by this it becomes clear that they are every sin by which Allah is disobeyed. So whoever contradicts what Allah has commanded and what Allah and His Messenger have legislated, or violates the prohibitions of Allah, has disobeyed Allah. And all that was mentioned in the question is among the footsteps of Satan, his paths, and his means
which he commands. Allah the Exalted said:
He only orders you to evil and immorality and to say about Allah what you do not know.
إِنَّمَا يَأْمُرُكُمْ بِالسُّوءِ وَالْفَحْشَاءِ وَأَنْ تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.