Tafsir of Al-A'raf 7:201-202

{A visitation from Satan} It is a verbal noun (maṣdar) derived from the saying: "A phantom (ṭayf) visited him," meaning it circled around him. It is said: "A phantom visited you, circling." Or, it is a simplified form of ṭayf (on the pattern of fayʿal), from ṭāfa yaṭīfu (like layn), or from ṭāfa yaṭūfu (like hayn). It has also been recited as ṭāʾif, which likewise admits both interpretations.

This serves as an affirmation and confirmation of the previously mentioned obligation to seek refuge in Allah when Satan incites. It is the habit of the God-fearing (al-muttaqīn) that when the slightest incitement or whisper from Satan touches them, {they remember} what Allah has commanded and forbidden. Thus, they perceive the right path, repel what he has whispered to them, and do not follow it themselves.

As for the {brothers of the devils}—those who are not God-fearing—the devils {extend them in error}, meaning they act as reinforcements for them in it and support them. It has been recited as yamuddūnahum (from imdād, to provide aid), and yumādūnahum (meaning they assist them).

{Then they do not stop} They do not refrain from leading them astray until they persist and do not turn back.

The statement {and their brothers extend them} is like the saying: "A people who, when horses gallop in their withers..." In that the predicate applies to that which it belongs to. It is also possible that "the brothers" refers to the devils, and the pronoun relating to it refers back to the ignorant ones, in which case the predicate also applies to that which it belongs to. However, the first interpretation is more sound, because "their brothers" is in contrast to "those who feared [Allah]."

If you ask: "Why is the pronoun plural in ikhwānuhum (their brothers) while 'Satan' is singular?" I say: The intended meaning is the genus (the category), as in His saying: {Their allies are the Taghut} (Al-Baqarah: 257).

{And when you do not bring them a sign, they say, "Why have you not contrived it?" Say, "I only follow what is revealed to me from my Lord. This is enlightenment from your Lord and guidance and mercy for a people who believe."}