Tafsir of Al-Furqan 25:31

"And thus We have made for every prophet an enemy from among the criminals." This is a consolation for the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and an encouragement for him to follow the example of the prophets who preceded him, peace be upon them. When a calamity becomes widespread, it becomes easier to bear. The term "enemy" can be singular or plural. That is, just as We have made for you enemies among the polytheists who say what they say and commit the falsehoods they commit, We have made for every prophet—from those who possess a law and call to it—an enemy from among those who commit crimes and sins. This includes Adam, peace be upon him, due to the inclusion of the devils and Cain (Qabil) among the criminals. It suffices to include Cain if the term "criminals" refers to the criminals of mankind or the criminals of the prophet's own nation.

It has been said that the universality here implies a majority. The intent behind "making" these enemies is the creation of their enmity and what stems from it within them, not the creation of their physical beings. In this, there is a refutation of the Mu'tazila in their claim that the creator of evil is someone other than Him, Exalted is His majesty.

His saying, "And sufficient is your Lord as a guide and a helper," is a noble promise to him, peace and blessings be upon him, of guidance in all his needs and victory over his enemies. That is, the One who possesses your affair and brings you to perfection is sufficient for you as a guide to that which will lead you to the ultimate goal—among which is the conveying of what has been revealed to you and the implementation of its rulings in the corners of the world until the Book reaches its appointed time—and as a helper for you against them in the most perfect manner.

Some have estimated the object of the verb for "a guide" as being to the path of subduing them. It is said: The meaning is a guide for those among them who believe, and a helper for you against others. It is also said: A guide for the prophets in how to guard against the enmity of the criminals by clinging to His rope, and a helper for them against them—though this is as you see. The two descriptors are in the accusative case as a state (hal) or as a specification (tamyiz).