إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْوَقْتِ ٱلْمَعْلُومِ 38
Translations
Until the Day of the time well-known."
Transliteration
Ila yawmi al-waqti al-ma'lum
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the respite granted to Iblis (Satan) until the Day of Judgment, a fixed and known time in Allah's eternal knowledge. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that despite Iblis's request for delay until the Day of Resurrection, Allah granted him respite only until 'the known time'—understood by scholars to mean the Day of Judgment when all creation will be called to account. This demonstrates Allah's perfect justice: even in granting the request of a rebellious creature, Allah sets a definitive limit to his period of trial and temptation of mankind.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Surah Al-Hijr (15:28-44) that recounts the creation of Adam, the angels' prostration to him, and Iblis's refusal and subsequent expulsion from Allah's mercy. The context shows Iblis asking for respite until the Day of Judgment, and Allah granting this request—establishing the theological foundation for why temptation and trial continue until the final hour.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'When Allah created Adam, He wiped the back of his right hand and brought forth from it all the souls that were to be created until the Day of Resurrection' (Sunan Abu Dawud). Additionally, Surah As-Sajdah (32:13) discusses how Allah tests mankind with good and evil, thematically connected to the permission granted to Iblis in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that despite the existence of temptation and evil in the world, it is temporary and bound by Allah's wisdom—our struggles with sin and temptation have an appointed end on the Day of Judgment when all accounts will be settled. Understanding that evil has limits encourages patience, steadfastness, and trust in Allah's ultimate justice.