Al-Hijr · Ayah 41

قَالَ هَـٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ عَلَىَّ مُسْتَقِيمٌ 41

Translations

[Allāh] said, "This is a path [of return] to Me [that is] straight.

Transliteration

Qala hatha siratin alayya mustaqeem

Tafsir (Explanation)

Allah responds to Iblis's request for respite by affirming that the path of monotheism and obedience to Him is straight and clear. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah demonstrates Allah's sovereignty in granting Iblis's reprieve while simultaneously establishing that the path to guidance remains accessible and evident to all who seek it, despite Satan's deception.

Revelation Context

This ayah is part of the dialogue between Allah and Iblis (Satan) in Surah Al-Hijr, where Iblis requests a delay in his punishment until the Day of Judgment (15:36-44). The broader context addresses the reality of Satan's existence and his role as a tempter, while emphasizing that Allah's guidance is always available to those who choose it sincerely.

Related Hadiths

The hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The Straight Path is Islam' (As-Sirat al-Mustaqim huwa al-Islam), directly relating to this ayah's reference to the straight path. Additionally, Hadith Qudsi in Sunan At-Tirmidhi: 'My Mercy encompasses all things' reflects Allah's wisdom in managing the test of Iblis.

Themes

Divine SovereigntyThe Straight Path (As-Sirat al-Mustaqim)Satan's DeceptionGuidance vs. MisguidanceHuman Free Will

Key Lesson

Despite the existence of temptation and evil in the world, Allah has made the path to righteousness clear and accessible to all; our responsibility is to consciously choose guidance and resist the whispers of Satan through steadfast adherence to Islamic principles.

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Related Ayahs

11:107Hud

خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا مَا دَامَتِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ إِلَّا مَا شَآءَ رَبُّكَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ فَعَّالٌ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ

[They will be] abiding therein as long as the heavens and the earth endure, except what your Lord should will. Indeed, your Lord is an effecter of what He intends.

24:42An-Nur

وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ

And to Allāh belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and to Allāh is the destination.

56:69Al-Waqi'ah

ءَأَنتُمْ أَنزَلْتُمُوهُ مِنَ ٱلْمُزْنِ أَمْ نَحْنُ ٱلْمُنزِلُونَ

Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down?

3:156Ali 'Imran

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَقَالُوا۟ لِإِخْوَٰنِهِمْ إِذَا ضَرَبُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَوْ كَانُوا۟ غُزًّى لَّوْ كَانُوا۟ عِندَنَا مَا مَاتُوا۟ وَمَا قُتِلُوا۟ لِيَجْعَلَ ٱللَّهُ ذَٰلِكَ حَسْرَةً فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

O you who have believed, do not be like those who disbelieved and said about their brothers when they traveled through the land or went out to fight, "If they had been with us, they would not have died or have been killed," so Allāh makes that [misconception] a regret within their hearts. And it is Allāh who gives life and causes death, and Allāh is Seeing of what you do.