Chapter: The words of Allah, exalted is He: “It is only Satan who frightens (you) of his allies, so do not fear them; rather fear Me, if you are true believers” (Āl ʿImrān 175).

Relevance of this chapter to the Book of Tawḥīd: Because fear is one of the most comprehensive acts of worship and must be devoted solely to Allah, the author uses this chapter to stress the obligation of directing it to Him alone.

Innamā: a particle of exclusivity.

Ash-shayṭān: the proper name of the accursed Iblīs.

Yukhawwifu awliyāʾahu: that is, he terrifies you by means of his followers and makes you imagine they possess great might.

Fa-lā takhāfūhum: do not fear those allies he uses to alarm you.

Wa-khāfūni: therefore, do not oppose My command—fear Me alone.

In kuntum muʾminīn: for true faith requires that you give precedence to the fear of Allah over the fear of people.

Overall meaning of the verse: Allah informs us that one of the plots of His enemy is to intimidate the believers through his troops and supporters, hoping thereby to prevent them from fighting in His cause, enjoining right, and forbidding wrong. He forbids us to fear them and commands us to fear Him alone, for that is what faith entails. The stronger a servant’s faith grows, the more the fear of Satan’s allies fades away.