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What is the exegetical evidence for the difference in the referent of the pronoun "hu" (the Arabic letter Hāʾ with a Damma, meaning "he/it") in the verse: "Indeed, his authority is only over those who take him as allies and those who associate partners with Him," such that the first refers to Satan and the second to Allah?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Scholars have differed regarding the referent of the pronoun "hu" (ه) in the verse: "And those who associate partners with Him" (وَالَّذِينَ هُم بِهِ مُشْرِكُونَ). One group holds that it refers to Allah Almighty, because associating partners is done with Him, glory be to Him. Another group believes it refers to Satan, meaning that Satan is the cause of associating partners. Al-Baydawi said: "Indeed, his authority is only over those who befriend him, love him, and obey him. And those who associate partners with Him – meaning with Allah, or due to Satan." Al-Qurtubi said: "And those who associate partners with Him, meaning with Allah. Mujahid and Al-Dahhak said so. And it was said that it refers to Satan, as stated by Al-Rabi' ibn Anas and Al-Qutaybi. The meaning is: And those who associate partners because of him."

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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