Why is it emphasized in the Quran that Satan is a clear enemy?

The Holy Quran, in its sublime teachings, repeatedly and in various ways, emphasizes the truth that Satan (Iblis) is a clear and sworn enemy of humanity. This Quranic emphasis is not merely a warning but a constant wake-up call, so that humanity does not become heedless of this hidden yet active adversary. The roots of this enmity trace back to the very beginning of the creation of Adam (peace be upon him); when Almighty God commanded the angels to prostrate before Adam, Iblis, out of arrogance and pride, refused to obey this command, deeming himself superior to humans because Adam was created from clay and Iblis from fire. This disobedience became the root of his malice and envy towards Adam and his progeny, leading to his expulsion from the divine presence. From then on, Satan, with divine will and permission (for the purpose of testing humanity), vowed that until the Day of Judgment, he would mislead God's servants from the straight path and lead them astray. The Quran makes this enmity clear through several means. Firstly, by introducing the character of Satan and his oath to mislead humans. For instance, in Surah Sad, verses 82 and 83, Satan says: “By Your might, I will surely mislead them all, except Your chosen servants among them.” This oath demonstrates Satan's serious and persistent resolve to be an enemy of mankind. Secondly, the Quran explicitly describes Satan's methods and tactics. He uses whispers (Al-Waswas), deception (Al-Ghurur), beautifying evil and sins in the eyes of humans (Tazyin), instilling fear and despair, casting doubts and suspicions into beliefs, and inciting pride and conceit. His constant goal is to divert humans from the remembrance of God, acts of worship, good morals, and anything that leads to their perfection and salvation. He strives to push humanity towards sins, desires, arrogance, malice, and hypocrisy, so that they deviate from the path of servitude to God. Thirdly, the Quran emphasizes that this enmity is hidden and invisible, yet its effects are completely obvious and tangible. Satan does not physically harm humans directly but misleads them into sin and error through mental suggestions and by provoking instincts. This invisibility makes his danger twofold, as many people are oblivious to his existence and machinations, assuming that bad thoughts and desires originate solely from within themselves, while Satan is the primary instigator. For this reason, the Quran repeatedly warns believers that he is a clear enemy and they must always be vigilant against his cunning and deception. This warning serves as a guiding light so that humans do not go astray in life and can find ways to counter him by knowing their enemy. Fourthly, the Quran explicitly states the consequences of following Satan; consequences that lead to loss in both this world and the hereafter. Whoever follows in Satan’s footsteps will ultimately fall into ruin and the torment of Hellfire. This warning is intended to motivate humans to resist satanic temptations. In Surah Fatir, verse 6, it states: “Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy. He only invites his party to be among the companions of the Blaze.” This verse clearly indicates that the only path to salvation is to regard him as an enemy and to refrain from following him. Ultimately, the Quran's emphasis on Satan's clear enmity is for the purpose of enlightening and alerting humanity. It is an invitation to spiritual awakening, to self-vigilance, to piety, and to constant remembrance of God. If a person does not take this enmity seriously, they will inadvertently fall into his trap and be led away from the path of felicity. Knowing this enemy is the first step in protecting one's faith and the correct path in life. By this emphasis, the Quran provides humanity with the necessary tools to confront Satan: reliance on God, seeking refuge in God (isti'adha), remembrance of God (dhikr), piety (taqwa), reflection on divine verses, and emulating the saints of God. These are all strong fortresses against the onslaught of satanic whispers. Thus, whenever the Quran describes Satan as a “clear enemy,” it is in fact teaching us to always be vigilant and to consider him not an illusion, but a powerful reality that can be overcome by divine will and humanity's adherence to God's commands.