Thus, regarding this meaning, in the second verse of the...

Thus, regarding this meaning, in the second verse of the holy verses mentioned in the above, the Qur’ān says: “And thus do We explain the Signs, and that they may return.” The verse means that as Allah stated these verses for you, they are stated and explained for other nations, too, in order that all people reason the Truth by them and return from falsehood towards the Truth.

At first, that man was among the believers and those who practically carried out the divine verses and sciences, but later, as a result of Satan’s temptation, he went astray. In the concerning religious sources, the name of this person has been recorded ‘Bal‘am Bā‘ūrā’. As it has been narrated from Ali-ibn-Mūs-ar-Ridā, the eighth Imam (as), that Bal‘am knew ‘the Greatest Name of Allah’, by which his supplication used to be answered.

But finally he went to the court of Pharaoh and turned to be an infidel, while, before that, he was one of the studious preachers of the religion of Moses (as). The Qur’ān does not directly point out his name in the text, but it mentions his action. Imam Bāqir (as) says that his circumstance adapts to any one who prefers the low desire to the truth.[^1] Such people are found in any time and the subject is not allocated to Bal‘am only. The story of Bal‘am has been cited in the Turah, too.

Therefore, an aware leader should usually warn people of unexpected dangers. The verse says: “And recite unto them the tale of him to whom We gave Our signs…” Whatever high a person promotes he should not become proud, since there is a probability of falling. Usually, the final result of the end of the work is important, not the beginning of it. The higher a situation is, the more dangerous it can be.

The verse continues saying: “…but he withdrew (himself) from them…” Yes, the one who takes detached from Allah, will become the prey of Satan.