قَالَ فَٱلْحَقُّ وَٱلْحَقَّ أَقُولُ 84
Translations
[Allāh] said, "The truth [is My oath], and the truth I say -
Transliteration
Qala fal-haqqu wal-haqqa aqul
Tafsir (Explanation)
Iblis (Satan) swears by Allah's truth, declaring emphatically 'By the truth and by the truth I say,' as he requests respite until the Day of Judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this ayah demonstrates Iblis's defiant conviction in his position, even invoking Allah's truth while rebelling against Him—a paradoxical statement that underscores his arrogance and certainty in his own misguided course. The repetition of 'al-haqq' (the truth) emphasizes the solemnity and severity of his oath.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the narrative of Iblis's dialogue with Allah (38:76-85), where Iblis argues for his superiority over humans and requests postponement of his punishment. The surah addresses the nature of rebellion and accountability before Allah, situating this exchange as a timeless discourse on pride and disobedience.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, Sahih Muslim (2796) contains traditions about Iblis's request for respite and Allah's granting of it until the Day of Judgment, which contextualizes this dialogue. Additionally, hadiths regarding the danger of arrogance and pride (ujub) relate thematically to Iblis's defiant posture.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah warns believers that even in moments of conviction or sincerity of speech, one can remain fundamentally astray if driven by arrogance and rejection of divine guidance—a reminder that true adherence to truth requires humble submission to Allah's will, not merely verbal affirmation.
Related Ayahs
أَءُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ٱلذِّكْرُ مِنۢ بَيْنِنَا ۚ بَلْ هُمْ فِى شَكٍّ مِّن ذِكْرِى ۖ بَل لَّمَّا يَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابِ
Has the message been revealed to him out of [all of] us?" Rather, they are in doubt about My message. Rather, they have not yet tasted My punishment.
وَثَمُودُ وَقَوْمُ لُوطٍ وَأَصْحَـٰبُ لْـَٔيْكَةِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلْأَحْزَابُ
And [the tribe of] Thamūd and the people of Lot and the companions of the thicket [i.e., people of Madyan]. Those are the companies.
رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفَّـٰرُ
Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Exalted in Might, the Perpetual Forgiver."
وَوَهَبْنَا لِدَاوُۥدَ سُلَيْمَـٰنَ ۚ نِعْمَ ٱلْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ
And to David We gave Solomon. An excellent servant, indeed he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allāh].