The Quran is a treasure trove of wisdom and knowledge, and one of its most intriguing stories can be found in Surah Al-Baqarah, where Allah mentions the story of Harut and Marut. In Islamic tradition, Harut and Marut are known to be two Angels who were sent down to Earth. This article will delve into the mystery surrounding their story and the impact it had on the world.

Verse 102 of Surah Al-Baqarah reads: "And they followed [instead] what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Hārūt and Mārūt. But they [i.e., the two angels] do not teach anyone unless they say, "We are a trial, so do not disbelieve [by practicing magic]."1 And [yet] they learn from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife. But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allāh. And they [i.e., people] learn what harms them and does not benefit them. But they [i.e., the Children of Israel] certainly knew that whoever purchased it [i.e., magic] would not have in the Hereafter any share. And wretched is that for which they sold themselves, if they only knew. ." (Al-Baqarah 2:102)

The story of Harut and Marut is a cautionary tale of the dangers of magic and how it can lead to division and harm. Allah mentions that when the people learned magic from Harut and Marut, they started dividing families. However, it's important to note that they could only do so with Allah's permission. This raises the question of why Allah would allow magic to cause harm and create division.

One explanation could be that Harut and Marut were sent as a test to see who would follow the right path and who would be misled by the false promises of magic. It's also possible that magic was needed at that time to counter something else, and Harut and Marut were sent to teach the people about its dangers.

Another aspect to consider is the relationship between Shaitan and magic. In the verse, it mentions that the majority of those who followed the teachings of Harut and Marut were Shaitans. Shaitan is the source of evil and deception, and it's not surprising that he would be associated with magic. However, it's important to remember that even with magic, Shaitan and those who follow him can only cause harm with Allah's permission.

In conclusion, the story of Harut and Marut is a reminder of the dangers of magic and how it can lead to division and harm. It raises questions about the relationship between Shaitan and magic, as well as the reasons behind why Allah would allow magic to cause harm. This article serves as a setup for further exploration into these questions and the wisdom that can be gleaned from this fascinating story.