(83–84) “Have you not seen that We have unleashed the devils upon the disbelievers, relentlessly inciting them? So do not be impatient concerning them; We are only counting out their days.”

This is one of the punishments of the disbelievers. Because they did not seek protection in Allah or hold fast to the rope of Allah, but instead associated partners with Him and took His enemies—the devils—as allies, He gave the devils power over them and assigned them to them. The devils thus relentlessly incite them to sin and drive them forcefully into disbelief. They whisper to them, inspire them, make falsehood appear attractive, and make the truth appear repugnant. Love of falsehood then enters their hearts, and their hearts become steeped in it. A person then strives for falsehood as one who possesses the truth strives for the truth: he supports it with all his might, fights in its defense, and combats the people of truth in the cause of falsehood.

All of this is his recompense for choosing the one he did as an ally and giving his allegiance to his enemy: Allah gives that enemy authority over him. Had he instead believed in Allah and put his trust in Him, the devil would have had no authority over him, as Allah Most High says:

“Indeed, he has no authority over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord. His authority is only over those who take him as an ally and who, through him, associate partners with Allah.”

“So do not be impatient concerning them”—that is, these disbelievers who seek to hasten the punishment. “We are only counting out their days.” That is, they have a fixed number of days, which they can neither bring forward nor delay. We grant them respite and deal with them forbearingly for a time so that they may return to Allah’s command. If this does not benefit them, We seize them with the grip of One Almighty, All-Powerful.