the hypocrites, his allies. He frightens the disbelievers just as he frightens the hypocrites. If the intended meaning were that he makes his allies afraid, the pronoun in His saying,
“So do not fear them,”
would have no referent. Moreover, Satan makes promises to his allies and fills them with hopes. As for the disbelievers, Allah casts terror of the believers into their hearts, and Satan does not choose this. Allah Most High says:
“You are indeed more feared in their hearts than Allah.”
And He says:
“I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve.”
However, those among the early generations who offered that interpretation meant that Satan frightens those who outwardly profess Islam while allying themselves with the enemy, thereby becoming hypocrites. It is the hypocrites who fear the disbelievers because Satan frightens them, as Allah Most High says:
“But they are a people who are afraid.”
And He says:
“But when fear comes…”
—to the end of the verse. Both interpretations are therefore correct in meaning. Yet the expression “his allies” refers to those whom Satan makes objects of fear, not those whom he makes afraid, as the context indicates. When he makes them objects of fear, only those whom Satan has frightened by means of them fear them. Thus, the verse indicates that Satan makes his allies objects of fear and makes other people afraid of them.
The verse also indicates that a believer must not fear Satan’s allies or fear people, as Allah says:
“So do not fear people, but fear Me.”
He commands fear of Allah and forbids fear of Satan’s allies. Allah Most High says:
“So that people may have no argument against you, except those among them who do wrong. So do not fear them, but fear Me.”
He thus forbids fearing the wrongdoer and commands fear of Himself. He also says:
“Those who convey Allah’s messages and fear Him, and fear none but Allah.”
And He says:
“And fear Me alone.”
Some people say: “My Lord, I fear You, and I fear those who do not fear You.” This is