قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرْنِىٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ 36
Translations
He said, "My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected."
Transliteration
Qala rabbi fa-anzirni ila yawmi yubAAthun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This is Iblis's (Satan's) plea to Allah after being expelled from His mercy, requesting respite until the Day of Resurrection. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that Iblis asked for delay in his punishment, and Allah granted this request as a trial for mankind. This ayah demonstrates the consequence of arrogance and disobedience—even in rejection, the transgressor seeks mercy from the very Lord he defied.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Iblis's expulsion from Paradise (ayat 28-44 of Surah Al-Hijr), which details his refusal to prostrate to Adam and his subsequent curse. The context illustrates the cosmic struggle between obedience and rebellion, establishing a foundational theme in Islamic theology about free will and accountability before Allah.
Related Hadiths
The story of Iblis is referenced in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim in various ahadith discussing the creation of angels and jinn. Additionally, the Prophet (peace be upon him) warned against following Iblis's path in numerous hadiths, such as those in Jami' at-Tirmidhi regarding arrogance (kibr) being a barrier to Paradise.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that pride and disobedience lead to separation from Allah's grace, yet even in punishment, we witness Allah's justice tempering with wisdom. It serves as a reminder to guard against arrogance and to seek forgiveness while opportunity remains, knowing that every soul will ultimately face accountability before the Almighty.
Related Ayahs
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
And indeed, your Lord - He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.
يُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَرْحَمُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۖ وَإِلَيْهِ تُقْلَبُونَ
He punishes whom He wills and has mercy upon whom He wills, and to Him you will be returned.
إِن تُعَذِّبْهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِبَادُكَ ۖ وَإِن تَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ فَإِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
If You should punish them - indeed they are Your servants; but if You forgive them - indeed it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise."
ٱلَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ لَا يَقُومُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَقُومُ ٱلَّذِى يَتَخَبَّطُهُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ مِنَ ٱلْمَسِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا ٱلْبَيْعُ مِثْلُ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ ۗ وَأَحَلَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ ۚ فَمَن جَآءَهُۥ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ فَٱنتَهَىٰ فَلَهُۥ مَا سَلَفَ وَأَمْرُهُۥٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
Those who consume interest cannot stand [on the Day of Resurrection] except as one stands who is being beaten by Satan into insanity. That is because they say, "Trade is [just] like interest." But Allāh has permitted trade and has forbidden interest. So whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with Allāh. But whoever returns [to dealing in interest or usury] - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein.