Surah Al-Hijr — Verse 36

Word Meanings:

• Fa anthirni (فأنظرني): Grant me respite, delay me, or give me more time.
• Yawma yub'athoon (يوم يبعثون): The Day when all of creation will be raised from their graves for the Final Reckoning.

Tafsir (Explanation):

After Iblees (Satan) was expelled from Allah's mercy for his arrogance and disobedience, he did not repent or humble himself. Instead, he made a bold and desperate request: "My Lord, grant me respite until the Day when they are resurrected." He asked Allah to delay his death and keep him alive until the Day of Judgment, so that he would not taste death before witnessing the fate of humanity. His goal was not to reform himself, but to gain more time to mislead as many of Adam's descendants as possible, seeking revenge for his expulsion.

This request reveals the depth of Satan's enmity toward mankind. He knew that as long as he was alive, he could continue his mission of deception. He wanted to be present until the very end, to see how many souls he could drag down with him. Yet, in His infinite wisdom and justice, Allah granted him this respite—not because Satan deserved it, but as a test for humanity. The door of struggle against evil remains open until the Last Day, and every soul is given the chance to choose between right and wrong.

A Da'wah Reflection:

This verse is a powerful reminder of the reality of our journey in this world. Satan has been given a long lease on life, and his sole mission is to lead us away from the Straight Path. But take heart, dear believer—Allah has not left us defenseless. He has given us the Qur'an, the Sunnah of His Prophet ﷺ, and the gift of free will. Every time you resist a temptation, every time you choose obedience over sin, you are defeating the very enemy who swore to mislead you. Do not underestimate the power of a sincere "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim." Your struggle is witnessed by Allah, and your reward is immense. Let this verse awaken in you a sense of urgency: the enemy is active, so arm yourself with knowledge, prayer, and good company. Paradise is worth every effort, and the gates of repentance are open until your last breath.