قَالَ أَنظِرْنِىٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ 14
Translations
[Satan] said, "Reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected."
Transliteration
Qala anzirnee ila yawmi yub'athoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah records Iblis's request to Allah for respite until the Day of Resurrection after being expelled from His mercy. Allah grants this request as a test and trial for mankind, as mentioned in the following ayah (7:15). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this demonstrates Allah's justice in giving Iblis the opportunity he demanded, while also serving as a profound warning about the reality of Satan's enmity toward humanity throughout this worldly life.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative in Surah Al-A'raf detailing the story of Iblis's disobedience and expulsion from Allah's grace. It follows immediately after Allah commanded the angels to prostrate to Adam (7:11-13), and Iblis refused out of arrogance. The context illustrates the cosmic struggle between obedience and rebellion, setting the stage for understanding Satan's role in human temptation until the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim (2844) where the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentions that Iblis said: 'By Your might, O Lord, I will not cease to lead them astray as long as their souls are in their bodies.' This directly relates to Iblis's respite and his commitment to lead humanity astray during this period.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that Allah's permission for Satan to exist until the Day of Judgment is a test of our faith and obedience; we must recognize that our struggle against temptation is a divinely ordained trial, and our success lies in seeking Allah's protection through remembrance, obedience, and righteous deeds.