Meaning of the Sentence 'Hidden Devil's Crime' in Surah An-Nas Verse 4, What Does it Mean?

Dream - Surah An-Nas is one of the short surahs that we read during obligatory and voluntary prayers. Not only during prayers, An-Nas, which consists of only 6 verses, is also often read during religious events.

Although it is included in the list of short surahs, the meaning and virtues of Surah An-Nas are extraordinary when practiced.

Overall, the content of Surah An-Nas is an urging for mankind to seek protection from Allah SWT against the influence of the whisperings of the devil that creep into oneself.

However, in this discussion, the verse that will be discussed is only related to Surah An-Nas verse 4 about the devil who usually hides. So, what is the meaning of this verse?

Here is the explanation as summarized by Dream from various sources.

Meaning of Surah An-Nas Verse 4

مِنْ شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ ەۙ الْخَنَّاسِۖ

Meaning: "from the evil (whisperings) of the hidden devil," (Surah An-Nas: 4)

Through verse 4 of Surah An-Nas above, it explains about the devil who usually hides. It is also explained by Ibn Abbas as follows:

"That the devil resides above the heart of the son of Adam. So when he forgets and neglects Allah, the devil tempts him, and when he remembers Allah, the devil hides."

In addition, according to Ibn Kathir, Al-Mu'tamir Ibn Sulaiman has narrated from his father, it has been told to him that the devil who often tempts always blows into the heart of the son of Adam when he is sad and also when he is happy.

Then it is also explained that when he is remembering Allah SWT, the devil will hide in fear.

In Surah An-Nas verse 4 above, there is the word "Al waswas" which means the devil whispers his temptations. If the one he tempts is obedient to Allah SWT, then the devil hides.

Verse 4 is the Answer to the First Three Verses

Verse 4 of Surah An-Nas is an answer to the first three verses. Namely, seeking refuge only in Allah SWT. Where there are three attributes of Allah SWT, namely Rabb, Raja, and Ilah of mankind. In this case, the one faced is the devil who is also part of Allah SWT's creation.

Meanwhile, in Surah An-Nas, the attribute of the devil mentioned is "Al-Khannas" which means "the one who always hides".

Ibn Abbas ra explained that the devil is in the body of the son of Adam. The devil's duty is to tempt when humans are negligent and will hide when humans remember Allah SWT. It is even explained in a hadith narrated by Bukhari as follows:

"Indeed, the devil infiltrates into the human body through the bloodstream. I am afraid that the devil will instill evil in your hearts." (HR. Bukhari and Muslim)