قَالَ إِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْمُنظَرِينَ 15
Translations
[Allāh] said, "Indeed, you are of those reprieved."
Transliteration
Qala innaka mina al-munzareen
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah responds to Iblis's request for respite until the Day of Judgment by granting him a period of reprieve. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that 'al-munzareen' (those given respite) refers to those who have been granted a delay in their punishment, and this delay extends until the Day of Judgment. This ayah demonstrates Allah's wisdom in allowing Iblis time to test mankind, which serves as a trial for human beings and a means of distinguishing between the righteous and the wicked.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Iblis's expulsion from Paradise following his refusal to prostrate to Adam. After his expulsion, Iblis requests respite until the Day of Judgment, and Allah grants his request in this verse. This dialogue illuminates the theological basis for human temptation and the cosmic struggle between guidance and misguidance that continues until Judgment Day.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim regarding the creation of the jinn and their nature relates to understanding Iblis's character. Additionally, the Quranic narrative in Surah Al-Kahf (18:50) explicitly identifies Iblis as being from the jinn, providing important context for his nature and rebellion.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that Satan's continued existence and influence over humanity until Judgment Day is part of Allah's divine wisdom and design, serving as a test for believers. Understanding this reality should strengthen our vigilance against evil whispers and deepen our reliance upon Allah for guidance and protection.
Related Ayahs
وَلَا تَقْعُدُوا۟ بِكُلِّ صِرَٰطٍ تُوعِدُونَ وَتَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِهِۦ وَتَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا ۚ وَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ إِذْ كُنتُمْ قَلِيلًا فَكَثَّرَكُمْ ۖ وَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
And do not sit on every path, threatening and averting from the way of Allāh those who believe in Him, seeking to make it [seem] deviant. And remember when you were few and He increased you. And see how was the end of the corrupters.
فَلَمَّآ ءَاتَىٰهُمَا صَـٰلِحًا جَعَلَا لَهُۥ شُرَكَآءَ فِيمَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمَا ۚ فَتَعَـٰلَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
But when He gives them a good [child], they ascribe partners to Him concerning that which He has given them. Exalted is Allāh above what they associate with Him.
۞ وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنْ أَلْقِ عَصَاكَ ۖ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَلْقَفُ مَا يَأْفِكُونَ
And We inspired to Moses, "Throw your staff," and at once it devoured what they were falsifying.
وَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ إِذْ جَعَلَكُمْ خُلَفَآءَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ عَادٍ وَبَوَّأَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِن سُهُولِهَا قُصُورًا وَتَنْحِتُونَ ٱلْجِبَالَ بُيُوتًا ۖ فَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ ءَالَآءَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ
And remember when He made you successors after the ʿAad and settled you in the land, [and] you take for yourselves palaces from its plains and carve from the mountains, homes. Then remember the favors of Allāh and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption."