Life-Lessons from Juz 7: Beware of Shaitan’s Traps – Surah Al-Maidah (90-91)
Discover Quran’s warning in Juz 7 (Surah Al-Maidah 90-91) against alcohol, gambling & Shaitan’s traps—learn how to avoid modern-day sins.
Table of Contents
The Forbidden Evils in Islam
Allah (SWT) explicitly warns believers in Surah Al-Maidah (Verses 90-91) about the dangers of intoxicants, gambling, idolatry, and divination—all tools of Shaitan to corrupt hearts and destroy lives. Despite clear prohibitions, many Muslims today fall into these traps through misinterpretations and modern-day addictions.
The Quranic Warning Against Shaitan’s Deceptions
1. The Clear Prohibition (Surah Al-Maidah 90)
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا ٱلْخَمْرُ وَٱلْمَيْسِرُ وَٱلْأَنصَابُ وَٱلْأَزْلَـٰمُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ فَٱجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“O you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, idolatry, and divining arrows are filth from the work of Satan. So avoid them so that you may succeed.”
Key Lessons:
- All intoxicants (Khamr) are impure – Includes alcohol, drugs, and anything that clouds judgment.
- Gambling is a major sin – It destroys wealth, families, and mental peace.
- Success comes from obedience – True success (Al-Falah) lies in avoiding these evils.
2. Shaitan’s Real Agenda (Surah Al-Maidah 91)
إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ أَن يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ ٱلْعَدَٰوَةَ وَٱلْبَغْضَآءَ فِى ٱلْخَمْرِ وَٱلْمَيْسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَعَنِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ۖ فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّنتَهُونَ
“Satan only wants to stir up hostility and hatred among you through intoxicants and gambling, and to prevent you from remembering Allah and praying. Will you not then abstain?”
Why These Sins Are Dangerous:
- Creates hatred & division – Families break due to addiction.
- Distracts from worship – Addicts miss Salah and Dhikr.
- Leads to eternal loss – Shaitan’s ultimate goal is to drag people to Hell.
Debunking Common Misconceptions
❌ Misconception 1: “A Little Alcohol is Harmless”
- Truth: The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Every intoxicant is Haram, and whatever causes intoxication in large amounts, a small amount is also Haram.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3392) - Lesson: Even a sip is forbidden—no exceptions.
❌ Misconception 2: “The Word ‘Alcohol’ Isn’t in the Quran”
- Truth: The term “Khamr” covers all intoxicants (alcohol, drugs, etc.).
- Lesson: Don’t play word games with Allah’s commands.
❌ Misconception 3: “Gambling is Just Entertainment”
- Truth: Modern gambling includes:
- Lotteries, casinos, sports betting, poker, online games
- Addiction leads to debt, theft, and family breakdowns
- Lesson: Any game of chance is Maysir (gambling) and Haram.
Modern-Day Traps of Shaitan
1. Hidden Alcohol Culture
- “Social drinking” in Muslim gatherings.
- Mocktails with trace alcohol content.
2. Disguised Gambling
- Stock market speculation (without real investment).
- Mobile games with loot boxes (pay-to-win mechanics).
- Cryptocurrency trading (based on pure chance).
3. Fortune-Telling & Superstitions
- Horoscopes, psychic readings, and “good luck” rituals.
- All are forms of Shirk (associating partners with Allah).
How to Protect Yourself?
✅ 1. Complete Avoidance
- The Quran says “avoid it” (فَٱجْتَنِبُوهُ)—not “limit it.”
✅ 2. Seek Help if Addicted
- Islamic counseling, rehab centers, support groups.
- Replace bad habits with Quran, Salah, and Halal hobbies.
✅ 3. Educate Others
- Share these verses with those justifying Haram.
- Warn about subtle traps (e.g., vape with nicotine).
Dua for Protection from Shaitan
“اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ”
(O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the accursed Satan.)
Choose Success Over Destruction
Allah warns us because He cares. Every Haram thing destroys:
🔹 Health (liver disease, addiction)
🔹 Wealth (gambling losses, wasted money)
🔹 Family (broken homes, abused children)
🔹 Akhirah (Hellfire for persistent sinners).
Ask yourself: “Will I obey Allah or follow Shaitan’s whispers?”
May Allah protect us, guide us, and grant us the strength to abandon all Haram. Ameen!
- Surah Al-Maidah 90-91, alcohol in Islam, gambling prohibition, Shaitan’s traps, modern-day Haram.
Continue Your Quranic Journey: Explore More Life-Lessons from the Quran
Deepen your understanding of the Quran with these related articles from our Verse By Verse Quran Study Circle:
- Life-Lessons from Juz 1: The Evils of Pride (Surah Al-Baqarah 21-37, 206)
Learn how pride led to Shaytan’s downfall and why humility is key to righteousness. - Life-Lessons from Juz 2: Allah is Near – Call Upon Him (Surah Al-Baqarah 186)
Discover how sincere du’a transforms grief into divine comfort. - Life-Lessons from Juz 3: The Power of Pure Intentions (Surah Ale-Imran 35-45)
How a mother’s prayer for Maryam (AS) changed history. - Life-Lessons from Juz 4: The Burden of Sins (Surah Ale-Imran 193)
Why repentance lightens the soul’s weight. - Life-Lessons from Juz 5: Obedience to the Messenger & Divine Rewards (Surah An-Nisa 465-70)
The link between following the Prophet (ﷺ) and eternal success. - Life-Lessons from Juz 6: Justice & Cooperation in Righteousness (Surah Al-Maidah 52)
How to uphold justice without compromising faith. - Life-Lessons from Juz 7: Beware of Shaitan’s Traps (Surah Al-Maidah 90-91)
Modern-day addictions and how to avoid them.
Why Keep Reading?
Each Juz of the Quran offers unique wisdom for daily life. Whether you’re struggling with pride, addiction, or seeking closeness to Allah, these lessons provide practical, divine solutions.
Tip: Bookmark this page to revisit the series as you progress through the Quran!
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