Meaning

What is the linguistic root of the word shayṭān?

Answer

Imām Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597 AH / 1201 CE) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr" as follows:

It is derived from the verb shaṭana, meaning: one who distances himself from goodness.
It is derived from the verb shāṭa yashīṭu, meaning: to burn and be consumed by fire.

Verses cited

2:14 Al-Baqarah وَإِذَا لَقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ شَيَـٰطِينِهِمْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا مَعَكُمْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَهْزِءُونَ When they meet the believers, they say, ‘We believe,’ but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, ‘We’re really with you; we were only mocking.’

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