قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرْنِىٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ 36
Translations
He said, "My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected."
Transliteration
Qala rabbi fa-anzirni ila yawmi yubAAthun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This is Iblis's (Satan's) plea to Allah after being expelled from His mercy, requesting respite until the Day of Resurrection. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that Iblis asked for delay in his punishment, and Allah granted this request as a trial for mankind. This ayah demonstrates the consequence of arrogance and disobedience—even in rejection, the transgressor seeks mercy from the very Lord he defied.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Iblis's expulsion from Paradise (ayat 28-44 of Surah Al-Hijr), which details his refusal to prostrate to Adam and his subsequent curse. The context illustrates the cosmic struggle between obedience and rebellion, establishing a foundational theme in Islamic theology about free will and accountability before Allah.
Related Hadiths
The story of Iblis is referenced in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim in various ahadith discussing the creation of angels and jinn. Additionally, the Prophet (peace be upon him) warned against following Iblis's path in numerous hadiths, such as those in Jami' at-Tirmidhi regarding arrogance (kibr) being a barrier to Paradise.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that pride and disobedience lead to separation from Allah's grace, yet even in punishment, we witness Allah's justice tempering with wisdom. It serves as a reminder to guard against arrogance and to seek forgiveness while opportunity remains, knowing that every soul will ultimately face accountability before the Almighty.