Q 11: He interprets the word of "Al-Shayatin" in the Qur'anic Ayah (verse): And of the Shayâtîn (devils from the jinn) were some who dived for him, and did other work besides that and in the Ayah: And also the Shayâtîn (devils) from the jinn (including) every kind of builder and diver, to mean non-Muslims and evil people.

A: First: Al-Shayatin is a term that is generally used to refer to rebellious (Part No. 3; Page No. 361) devils from among the Jinn or mankind. Allah (Exalted be He) stated: And so We have appointed for every Prophet enemies - Shayâtîn (devils) among mankind and jinn, inspiring one another with adorned speech as a delusion (or by way of deception). If your Lord had so willed, they would not have done it However, the Shayatin i.e. devils subjected to Prophet Sulayman (Solomon, peace be upon him) and mentioned in the Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) of Surah Al-Anbiya' and Surah Sad are of the Jinn. Some of them dived for Sulayman, some were employed in the construction of buildings, while others were bound together in shackles. In support of this opinion, the Ayah of Surah Saba' informs us: And to Solomon (We subjected) the wind, its morning (stride from sunrise till midnoon) was a month’s (journey), and its afternoon (stride from the midday decline of the sun to sunset) was a month’s (journey i.e. in one day he could travel two months’ (journey). And We caused a fount of (molten) brass to flow for him, and there were jinn that worked in front of him, by the Leave of his Lord. And whosoever of them turned aside from Our Command, We shall cause him to taste of the torment of the blazing Fire. They worked for him as he desired, (making) high rooms, images, basins as large as reservoirs, and (cooking) cauldrons fixed (in their places). "Work you, O family of Dâwûd (David), with thanks!" But few of My slaves are grateful. Then when We decreed death for him [Sulaimân (Solomon)], nothing informed them (jinn) of his death except a little worm of the earth, which kept (slowly) gnawing away at his stick. So when he fell down, the jinn saw clearly that if they had known the Unseen, they would not have stayed in the humiliating torment. In Surah Al-Naml, Allah (Exalted be He) states that the demons from among the Jinn were appointed in the service of Prophet Sulayman. In this regard, Allah makes reference to Prophet Sulayman as he was conversing with his chiefs over bringing the throne of the Queen of Sheba, Bilqis: He said: "O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me surrendering themselves in obedience?" A ‘Ifrît (strong one) from the jinn said: "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place (council). And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy for such work." (Part No. 3; Page No. 362)  Second: In answer to Sulayman's supplication, Allah favored Prophet Sulayman with miraculous signs like subduing the Jinn, making the iron pliable for him, causing a fount of molten brass to flow for his service, making the wind and birds subservient, and teaching him the language of birds. Allah stated: "My Lord! Forgive me, and bestow upon me a kingdom such as shall not belong to any other after me: Verily, You are the Bestower." So, We subjected to him the wind; it blew gently by his order whithersoever he willed, And also the Shayâtîn (devils) from the jinn (including) every kind of builder and diver, Had the word "Shayatin" mentioned in the above Ayahs meant non-Muslims and evil people, this would not have been regarded as a favor bestowed upon Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him).