Al-Imaam Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy upon him) stated:

The Shaytaan wants that the children of Aadam stray with a far staying and not a near straying (one that’s close to the truth). Allaah stated: “And the Shaytaan wants to lead them far astray.” However we are not to think that the Shaytaan commands (the people) with (going) far astray from the onset. Rather (he does it) in stages. So he commands with Fisq (corruption) and the lesser acts of disobedience. Then (he commands with) the major sins. Then (he commands with) the disbelief (in Allaah). We ask Allaah to protect us.  Based upon this the ‘Ulamaa have said: The acts of disobedience are the Bareed  (path) to al-Kufr…The scholars have mentioned that the acts of disobedience are the path to al-Kufr and the Shaytaan takes the person in stages, step by step until the point he destroys him.”

Taken from: Tafseer Soorah an-Nisaa V. 1 Pg. 475-476

Translated by Abu Yusuf Khaleefah, NYC, USA
On the 19th of Rabee’ al-Awwal, 1435 H
(01-21-2014)