Al-Layth transmitted from Mujāhid that he said: “He sides with Satan in disobeying Allah, helping him to carry it out.”

Zayd ibn Aslam said: “Ẓahīran means ‘an ally.’”

In other words, he gives his allegiance to the enemy in acts of disobedience and in associating partners with Allah, so he stands shoulder to shoulder with that enemy, assisting him in everything that incurs his Lord’s wrath.

Thus the special companionship that the believer enjoys with his Lord and God has, in the case of this unbeliever and evildoer, been transferred to Satan, to his own soul, to his whim, and to his close companion. For this reason the verse begins, “Yet they worship besides Allah that which can neither benefit them nor harm them” (25:55). Such “worship” is simply allegiance, love, and satisfaction with their objects of devotion—a relationship that entails an exclusive form of companionship with them. Consequently they side with Allah’s enemies in their hostility, opposition, and the deeds that displease Him, whereas Allah’s loyal friend stands with Him against his own soul, his devil, and his caprice.

This meaning is one of the Quran’s treasures for whoever understands and takes it to heart.

Success comes only from Allah.

• His words: “And those who, when reminded of the revelations of their Lord, do not fall upon them deaf and blind” (25:73).

Maqātil said: When they are admonished by the Quran they do not throw themselves upon it as the deaf—unable to hear it—or the blind—unable to see it; rather, they listen, perceive, and are certain of it.

Ibn ʿAbbās said: They were not toward it deaf and blind; rather, they were fearful and reverent.

Al-Kalbī said: They fall upon it hearing and seeing.