The mukhlasuun
[Iblees] said, "My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all
Except, among them, Your chosen servants."
Qur'aan Suurah al-Hijr [15] Ayah 39 and Ayah 40
قوله تعالى: إلا عبادك منهم المخلصين
His saying: Except, among them, Your chosen servants (the mukhlasuun)."
ذكر تعالى في هذه الآية الكريمة أن الشيطان لما أوعد بأنه سيضل أكثر بني آدم،
Allaah has mentioned in this Noble Verse that when the devil promised to mislead most of the children of Adam
استثنى من ذلك عباد الله المخلصين، معترفا بأنه لا قدرة له على إضلالهم،
he made the exception of those slaves of Allaah who are the mukhlasuun acknowledging that he has no power to misguide them
ونظيره قوله في ص أيضا قال فبعزتك لأغوينهم أجمعين إلا عبادك منهم المخلصين [38 \ 82 - 83]
Similar to this Verse is what is said in Suurah SaaD:
[Iblees] said, "By your might, I will surely mislead them all
Except Your chosen slaves amongst them (faithful, obedient, true believers of Islamic Monotheism).
Ayah 82 and 83 in Suurah SaaD
وعباد الله المخلصون هم المرادون بالاستثناء في قوله في بني إسرائيل لأحتنكن ذريته إلا قليلا [17 \ 62]
And in Suurah Banii israa'iil the slaves of Allaah who are the mukhlasuun are what is meant in the Verse
[Iblees] said, "Do You see this one whom You have honored above me? If You delay me until the Day of Resurrection, I will surely destroy his descendants, except for a few."
Suurah 17: Ayah 62
In this Ayah "except for a few" refers to the slaves of Allaah who are the mukhlasuun
وقوله في سبأ ولقد صدق عليهم إبليس ظنه فاتبعوه إلا فريقا من المؤمنين [34 \ 20]
In Suurah Saba'we have the following Verse
And indeed Iblis (Satan) did prove true his thought about them, and they followed him, all except a group of true believers (in the Oneness of Allah).
The true believers in this Verse who did not follow him were the slaves of Allaah who were the mukhlasuun
وهم الذين احترز منهم بقوله ولا تجد أكثرهم شاكرين [7 \ 17]
These slaves of Allaah who are mukhlasuun are the ones who he avoided including in his statement in the following Verse
Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You]."
Qur'aan 7:17
The devil said You will not find most of them grateful. The few who are grateful are the slaves of Allaah who are the mukhlasuun
وبين تعالى في مواضع أخر أن الشيطان لا سلطان له على أولئك المخلصين كقوله إن عبادي ليس لك عليهم سلطان الآية [15 \ 42]
Allaah has made clear in other places that the devil has no power of these slaves of Allaah who are the mukhlasuun as He said in the following Ayah
Indeed, My servants - no authority will you have over them, except those who follow you of the deviators.
Qur'aan Suurah al-Hijr Ayah 42
وقوله: إنه ليس له سلطان على الذين آمنوا وعلى ربهم يتوكلون إنما سلطانه على الذين يتولونه [16 \ 99 - 100]
And Allaah said this in the following:
Indeed, there is for him no authority over those who have believed and rely upon their Lord.
His authority is only over those who take him as an ally and those who through him associate others with Allah .
Qur'aan Suurah al-Nahl Ayah 99 and 100
وقوله وما كان له عليهم من سلطان إلا لنعلم من يؤمن بالآخرة ممن هو منها في شك الآية [34 \ 21]
And Allaah mentioned this in the following:
And he had over them no authority except [it was decreed] that We might make evident who believes in the Hereafter from who is thereof in doubt. And your Lord, over all things, is Guardian.
Qur'aan Suurah Saba' Ayah 21
. وقوله: وما كان لي عليكم من سلطان إلا أن دعوتكم فاستجبتم لي [14 \ 22]
And He said in the following:
And Satan will say when the matter has been concluded, "Indeed, Allah had promised you the promise of truth. And I promised you, but I betrayed you. But I had no authority over you except that I invited you, and you responded to me. So do not blame me; but blame yourselves. I cannot be called to your aid, nor can you be called to my aid. Indeed, I deny your association of me [with Allah ] before. Indeed, for the wrongdoers is a painful punishment."
Qur'aan Suurah Ibraahiim Ayah 22
وقوله: المخلصين [15 \ 40] قرأه ابن عامر وابن كثير وأبو عمرو بكسر اللام اسم فاعل، وقرأه نافع والكوفيون بفتح اللام بصيغة اسم المفعول
The word المخلصين was recited by Ibn 'Aamir, Ibn Kathiir, and Abu 'Amr with a kasrah on the laam as al-mukhlisiin. This makes it an active participle.
Naafi' and the people of Kuufah recited it with fatha as al-mukhlasiin which makes it a passive participle.
Reference(s):
أضواء البيان في إيضاح القرآن بالقرآن
Volume 2 Page 277