Surah Al-Isra — Verse 63

Word Meanings:

• اذْهَبْ (Ith-hab): Go away; a command of dismissal and abandonment.
• تَبِعَكَ (Tabi'aka): Follows you; obeys you and takes you as a guide.
• جَزَاؤُكُمْ (Jaza'ukum): Your recompense; the reward or punishment for your deeds.
• مَّوْفُورًا (Mawfooran): Complete, full, abundant; a recompense that is neither decreased nor withheld.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this verse, Allah Almighty addresses Iblis (Satan) after he had arrogantly refused to prostrate to Adam and requested a respite until the Day of Resurrection. Allah grants him that respite, but immediately follows it with a stern and terrifying warning: "Go!" — a dismissal that carries both permission and threat. Then Allah declares: "Whoever follows you among them" — meaning from the descendants of Adam who choose to obey Satan's whispers, heed his call, and walk in his footsteps — "then indeed, Hellfire is your recompense" — that is, both Satan and his followers will share the same dreadful fate. The phrase "a recompense fully given" (جَزَاءً مَّوْفُورًا) emphasizes that this punishment will be complete and abundant, with nothing diminished or left out. It is a fitting reward for their deeds, perfectly matched to their disobedience and rebellion against their Creator.

This verse serves as a profound reminder that Satan's ultimate goal is to mislead humanity, but his victory is only over those who willingly choose to follow him. The punishment of Hellfire is not unjust — it is the natural and complete consequence of turning away from Allah's guidance and embracing falsehood.

A Call to Reflection and Action:

Dear reader, ponder deeply upon this divine declaration. Allah did not force anyone to follow Satan; rather, He warned us clearly and gave us the free will to choose. The path of Satan leads to a destination that is "fully given" — a Hellfire whose torment is complete and unending. But the path of Allah leads to Paradise, where rewards are also "fully given," but with a generosity beyond imagination.

Let this verse awaken your heart. Every moment you resist the whispers of Satan, you are distancing yourself from that terrible recompense. Every act of obedience to Allah is a step toward His mercy and eternal bliss. Do not let Satan deceive you into thinking that you have time, or that your sins are too small to matter. The recompense is "fully given" — both for good and for evil.

Turn to your Lord now, before it is too late. Seek His protection from the accursed Satan, and strive to be among those who follow the guidance of the Prophets and the righteous. For indeed, Allah's mercy is vast, and His door of repentance is open until the final hour. Choose wisely, for your choice determines your eternal destination.