Verse 12:42 .. how does Satan control man?

[Ruhi_Rose]

Salaams and hi all.  Hope the fasts have started well for everyone, InshAllah.

I would like to pop up a question concerning Verse 12:42


"And he said unto him of the twain who he knew would be released: Mention me in the presence of your lord. But Satan caused him to forget to mention it to his lord, so he (Joseph) stayed in prison for some years."

As you would know, it refers to Prophet Yusuf's (pbuh) story when he was imprisoned wrongly at the behest of the lady of the ruler's house because he refused to give in to her advances.

In the above verse Prophet Yusuf is telling one of his prison inmates who would shortly be released to mention to the king about his (Prophet Yusuf's) skill on interpreting dreams (which was a talent bestowed upon him by Allah).  Prophet Yusuf was apparently hoping that if the king came to know that someone in prison had such a skill, he might order his release.  But after the other prisoner left the prison, he did not mention about Prophet Yusuf.  The verse says "Satan caused him to forget .."   I was wondering about it, how would Satan be empowered to do such a thing?  I mean, how might have Satan caused him to forget? 

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Walaikum As-Salam dear sis.  Alhumdulilah, it's started off well for us.  I wish the same for all of us throughout the following 30 days of this blessed month, InshAllah.

Well, in my opinion the reference in Verse 12:42 is Satan's guile which hindered that man from mentioning about Prophet Yusuf (pbuh).

Satan surely does not have any power, neither does he have the ability to command anyone. Satan can only manipulate and beguile people through temptation, envy and greed.  Perhaps out of envy this man purposely didn't mention about Prophet Yusuf, thinking that Yusuf might acquire favor from the king. Or he might have been intentionally neglectful about this important issue as a result of Satan's invisible lure. However, later on as we have read in the same Surah, when the king had a strange dream, that same man did come to Prophet Yusuf in prison and asked him of its interpretation.  He then had no other choice but to mention  Prophet Yusuf to the king.  He couldn't take the credit upon himself as the king might have other queries on the interpretation; and he couldn't possibly run back and forth from the prison to the king's court.  That way he would surely be discovered as using someone else's knowledge to his own credit.  So he probably thought he would introduce Yusuf to the king as the interpreter of dreams, probably hoping that he might get some recognition for his connections with Prophet Yusuf.

If you refer to Verse 12:100.

" ..... My Rabb has made it true, and He has shown me kindness, since He took me out of the prison and has brought you from the desert after Satan had made strife between me and my brethren. Indeed, my Rabb is tender unto whom He will. He is the Knower, the Wise."

The words " ... Satan had made strife between me and my brethren."  refers to Satan's nasty manipulations through which he tempts the weak and wins over them so they agree and accept the wicked tricks he proposes to them through invisible enticements.

This is how I read Verse 12:42.  Only Allah has the final interpretation.

What we know for sure is that Satan has no power to command anyone.  Satan controls people by tempting them.

[Ruhi_Rose]

That was hugely helpful.  Many thanks sis.  Makes plenty of sense. 

May Allah Almighty protect us and help us adhere to the truth.  Ameen.

[N. Truth Seeker]

Ameen.  May the blessed month pass well for all and find acceptance with Allah, The Highest. 

Alhumdulilah.   Thoughtful question and useful clarification.  It was helpful info for me too.

[Zainab_M]

Thanks for the good question and excellent explanation sisters.

What we know for sure is that Satan has no power to command anyone.  Satan controls people by tempting them.

Exactly, very correct.  Satan has NO power to command; he only lures and tempts with false incentives brainwashing those with weak iman and superficial values.  Quoting Verse 14:22 from Surah Ibrahim in this regard:  "And Satan saith, when the matter hath been decided: Lo! Allah promised you a promise of truth; and I promised you, then failed you. And I had no power over you save that I called unto you and ye obeyed me....."  This is exactly how Satan tries to attract the weak and unreliable folks .. through invisible temptations. 

"O Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you as he caused your (first) parents to go forth from the Garden and tore off from them their robe (of innocence) that he might manifest their shame to them. Lo! he seeth you, he and his tribe, from whence ye see him not. Lo! We have made the devils protecting friends for those who believe not."  (7:27)  Al-Araf.

Satan tries to tempt and influence people invisibly from afar or close depending on the situation or circumstances. 

Some people ask how did Satan tempt Adam and his wife who were in Paradise?  They ask if Satan entered Paradise to tempt them.  No, there is NO way Satan can enter Paradise.  NO one enters Paradise except by Allah's consent and command.  And Allah will never allow Satan to enter Paradise which is a place only for the pure who are the slaves of Allah.  Satan is the most impure of all who has disobeyed Allah.  Therefore he tempted Adam and his wife from afar and invisibly by influencing their minds with false ideas.

[Ruhi_Rose]

Many many thanks for the additional info along with the Quranic quotes, dear Sister Zeynab.  Very helpful clarification.  Alhumdulilah.