But can something occur that Allah then rectifies, removing what Satan casts and making His verses firm? There are two views on this. What is transmitted from the early generations accords with the Quran on this matter.

Those among the later scholars who ruled this out challenged the reported addition to Sūrat al-Najm:

“These are the exalted cranes, and their intercession is indeed to be hoped for.”

They said that this had not been established. Those who knew it to be established said that Satan had cast these words into the listeners’ ears, but the Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—had not uttered them. Yet the question still arises on this understanding as well.

They also interpreted His words:

“…except that, when he recited, Satan cast something into his recitation”

as referring to inner thoughts. Those who affirmed what was transmitted from the early generations, however, said that these reports were firmly established and could not be impugned, and that the Quran supported them in His words:

“We never sent a messenger or a prophet before you except that, when he recited, Satan cast something into his recitation. But Allah removes what Satan casts; then Allah makes His verses firm. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”

“So that He may make what Satan casts a trial for those whose hearts are diseased and those whose hearts are hardened. Indeed, the wrongdoers are in profound opposition.”

“And so that those given knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord, believe in it, and have their hearts humbly submit to it. Indeed, Allah guides those who believe to a straight path.”

They said that the reports explaining this verse were well known and firmly established in the books of Quranic commentary and hadith, and that the Quran agreed with them. For Allah’s removal of what Satan casts and His making His verses firm serve precisely to remove what has intruded into His verses and to distinguish truth from falsehood, so that His verses are not confused