Does satan control humans?

Satan (Shayṭān) cannot forcibly control a person, nor can he compel anyone to commit sin. His role is only to whisper evil suggestions (waswasah), deceive, and invite people toward sin. A person either accepts or rejects his call by their own free choice.

Allah Most High says:

«﴿وَمَا كَانَ لِيَ عَلَيْكُم مِّن سُلْطَانٍ إِلَّا أَن دَعَوْتُكُمْ فَاسْتَجَبْتُمْ لِي ۖ فَلَا تَلُومُونِي وَلُومُوا أَنفُسَكُم﴾»

«"I had no authority over you except that I invited you, and you responded to me. So do not blame me, but blame yourselves."»

(Surah Ibrahim 14:22)

Allah Most High also says:

«﴿إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ ۝ إِنَّمَا سُلْطَانُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَهُ وَالَّذِينَ هُم بِهِ مُشْرِكُونَ﴾»

«"Indeed, he has no authority over those who believe and place their trust in their Lord. His authority is only over those who take him as an ally and those who associate partners with Allah through him."»

(Surah al-Naḥl 16:99–100)

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

««إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَجْرِي مِنَ الْإِنْسَانِ مَجْرَى الدَّمِ»»

«"Indeed, Satan flows through the human being as blood flows."»

(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 3281; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2175)

The Prophet ﷺ also said:

««إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَجَاوَزَ لِأُمَّتِي مَا حَدَّثَتْ بِهِ أَنْفُسَهَا، مَا لَمْ تَعْمَلْ أَوْ تَتَكَلَّمْ»»

«"Indeed, Allah has pardoned my Ummah for the thoughts that arise within themselves, so long as they do not act upon them or speak of them."»

(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2528; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 127)