قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرْنِىٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ 79
Translations
He said, "My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected."
Transliteration
Qala rabbi fa-anzirni ila yawmi yub'athun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Iblis (Satan) requests respite from Allah until the Day of Resurrection, asking to be granted additional time before his final punishment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this represents Iblis's arrogant plea for postponement, to which Allah grants his request as a trial for humanity. This ayah demonstrates Iblis's defiance even after his condemnation, and serves as a warning about the reality of Satan's continued existence and influence until the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Iblis's dialogue with Allah following his refusal to prostrate to Adam (Surah 38:71-85). The context is Meccan, addressing the early Muslim community about the nature of evil, Satan's rebellion, and his ongoing role as a tempter until the Day of Resurrection. The passage establishes fundamental Islamic doctrine about the unseen conflict between good and evil.
Related Hadiths
The conversation between Iblis and Allah is referenced in various ahadith about the nature of Satan. A related hadith from Sahih Muslim (2813) discusses how Satan admitted his enmity toward mankind and his plot to lead them astray, which contextualizes Iblis's request for respite.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Satan's existence and influence in this world are divinely permitted as a test of human faith and righteousness; we must remain vigilant against his whispers while trusting in Allah's ultimate justice and sovereignty on the Day of Resurrection.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلشَّيَـٰطِينَ كُلَّ بَنَّآءٍ وَغَوَّاصٍ
And [also] the devils [of jinn] - every builder and diver.
قَالَ لَقَدْ ظَلَمَكَ بِسُؤَالِ نَعْجَتِكَ إِلَىٰ نِعَاجِهِۦ ۖ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلْخُلَطَآءِ لَيَبْغِى بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَقَلِيلٌ مَّا هُمْ ۗ وَظَنَّ دَاوُۥدُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّـٰهُ فَٱسْتَغْفَرَ رَبَّهُۥ وَخَرَّ رَاكِعًا وَأَنَابَ ۩
[David] said, "He has certainly wronged you in demanding your ewe [in addition] to his ewes. And indeed, many associates oppress one another, except for those who believe and do righteous deeds - and few are they." And David became certain that We had tried him, and he asked forgiveness of his Lord and fell down bowing [in prostration] and turned in repentance [to Allāh].
أَمْ لَهُم مُّلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ۖ فَلْيَرْتَقُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَسْبَـٰبِ
Or is theirs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and what is between them? Then let them ascend through [any] ways of access.
إِنَّآ أَخْلَصْنَـٰهُم بِخَالِصَةٍ ذِكْرَى ٱلدَّارِ
Indeed, We chose them for an exclusive quality: remembrance of the home [of the Hereafter].