"And recite to them the news of him to whom We gave Our signs, but he stripped himself from them."

Mujahid said: He is Bal'an ibn Ba'ran—and some call him Bal'am—to whom Allah gave knowledge, but he abandoned it.

"So Satan followed him, and he became of the erring," meaning: he disbelieved.

Muhammad said: It is said, "Atba'tu" (I caught up with) the man if you overtake him, and "Tabi'tuhu" if you walk in his footsteps.