(98–100) “When you recite the Quran, seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed. He has no authority over those who believe and place their trust in their Lord. His authority is only over those who take him as their ally and those who associate partners with Allah through him.”

That is: When you intend to recite Allah’s Book—the noblest and most glorious of books, containing the rectification of hearts and abundant knowledge—know that Satan is never more intent upon assailing a servant than when he embarks upon virtuous undertakings. He therefore seeks to divert him from their aims and meanings.

The way to remain safe from his evil is to seek refuge with Allah and appeal to Him for protection from it. The reciter should say, “I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed,” while reflecting upon its meaning, relying wholeheartedly upon Allah to turn Satan away from him, and striving to repel his whispers and corrupt thoughts by the most powerful means of repelling him: adorning oneself with faith and reliance upon Allah.

For Satan “has no authority”—that is, no power—“over those who believe and place their trust in their Lord” alone, who has no partner. Allah therefore wards off Satan’s evil from the believers who place their trust in Him, leaving Satan no way to prevail over them.

“His authority is only”—that is, his power extends only—“over those who take him as their ally,” meaning that they make him their patron. They do so by forsaking Allah’s guardianship, entering into obedience to Satan, and joining his party. It is they who have granted him authority over themselves, so he relentlessly incites them to sin and drives them forcibly into the Fire.