As-salaamu 3laikum,Some people come up with false arguments to try to paint a bad picture of Islam, and they put some time and effort into knowing what will appeal to or confuse people to put doubts in their mind.If they are effective at doing this, what is the ruling on describing them as 'clever'? Of course I don't mean by that approving of what they are doing or thinking that it is a clever thing to do, just acknowledging that they knew what kind of things they could say to deceive some people? And the same question about the Shaytan, if he succeeds in deceiving people how would you describe it? I hope you know what I mean. Jazaakum Allahu khairan

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

The act of Islam's enemies of trying to discredit and distort the image of Allaah's religion is not to be described as "clever". In fact, it consists in cunning and deviousness, as Allaah says (what means):

• {And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you (from Makkah). But they plan, and Allaah plans. And Allaah is the best of planners.} [Quran 8:30]

• {But they who plot evil deeds will have a severe punishment, and the plotting of those – it will perish.} [Quran 35:10]

The same applies to describing Satan and his evil attempts to lure the sons of Aadam (Adam)  into committing sins and beautify falsehood in their eyes. Allaah The Exalted says (what means): {Indeed, the plot of Satan has ever been weak.} [Quran 4:76]

Some of these enemies of Allaah who hatch evil plots against Islam may be intelligent and some may not be so. It can be said about the intelligent ones that they have been given intelligence but not righteousness. If mental intelligence is not accompanied with righteousness and purity, it is a curse on the person, as it often leads him to cunning and deviousness, as observed in criminals.

Allaah Knows best.