…for, as the wider Qur’anic context makes clear, the devils from among the jinn did not need to withdraw with those hypocrites, nor did they ever say to them, “We are with you; we were only mocking.”
Correct guidance comes from an angelic prompting, whereas error is cast in by Satan.
People have long disputed the source of the knowledge that settles in the heart after reflection and reasoning. The philosophers claim it overflows from the “Active Intellect” once the soul is properly disposed. The Muʿtazilah hold that it comes about by a process of natural generation. Al-Ashʿarī and those who follow him say it occurs directly through Allah’s act, just as, in their view, all other events occur—with no cause or underlying wisdom assigned to any of them.
The position of the early generations and the leading imams, however, is that Allah has established causes and wisdoms for every event. Some happenings are brought about through the agency of angels or of jinn. The knowledge, strength, and similar states that arise in a person’s heart may be produced by Allah through the work of angels, as He says:
“When your Lord revealed to the angels, ‘I am with you, so give firmness to those who believe.’” (Q 8:12)
He also says:
“You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even though they be their fathers, sons, brothers, or clan. Such are the ones in whose hearts He has inscribed faith and whom He has supported with a spirit from Him.” (Q 58:22)
The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said: “Whoever seeks judgeship and relies upon it will be left to it; but whoever does not seek it and does not rely upon it, Allah will send down to him an angel who directs him aright.” This “direction” is the angel’s casting of the sound word into his heart.
Allah, Exalted is He, also says:
“We inspired the mother of Moses: ‘Suckle him…’” (Q 28:7)
and:
“When I inspired the disciples to believe in Me and in My Messenger, they said, ‘We believe.’” (Q 5:111)
These persons were not prophets; what they received was an inner prompting, and such inspiration may occur through the mediation of an angel, as in His saying: “It is not granted to any human being that Allah should speak to him except by revelation, from behind a veil, or by sending… (Q 42:51)”