Surah Sad — Verse 79

Key Words and Their Meanings:

• "Rabbi" (رَبِّ): My Lord — an address of supplication, acknowledging Allah's absolute sovereignty.
• "Fa-anẓirnī" (فَأَنظِرْنِي): So grant me respite / defer my term — meaning, "Do not cause me to die; delay my end."
• "Ilā yawmi yub'athūn" (إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ): Until the Day they are raised — i.e., the Day of Resurrection when all of creation will be brought back to life from their graves.

Explanation of the Verse:

After Iblīs (Satan) was expelled from Allah's mercy due to his arrogance and refusal to prostrate to Adam (peace be upon him), he did not repent or humble himself. Instead, he turned to Allah with a request full of defiance and cunning. He said: "My Lord, grant me a delay and do not cause me to die until the Day when Your servants are raised from their graves." He asked for a long life stretching to the end of this world, so that he could continue his mission of misguidance against the children of Adam. This was not a request born of faith or hope for Allah's mercy, but rather a strategic move to wage war against humanity until the very last moment of this worldly life. Allah, in His infinite wisdom and justice, granted him this respite — not because He was pleased with him, but as a test for mankind and a manifestation of His divine decree.

A Call to Reflection and Faith:

Dear believer, look at the enemy of Allah — how he was given a long rope, yet he used it only to increase in evil and misguidance. Now, look at the mercy of your Lord upon you: He has given you a life filled with chances to turn back to Him, to seek His forgiveness, and to earn His pleasure. Do not be like Iblīs, who used his time to rebel; rather, be among those who use every breath to draw closer to their Creator. The same Day that Iblīs asked to reach — the Day of Resurrection — is the Day when every soul will be recompensed for what it has earned. So, hasten to good deeds, repent sincerely, and hold firmly to the rope of Allah. Indeed, Allah's mercy is vast, and His door of repentance remains open until the sun rises from the west. Do not let the whispers of Shayṭān deceive you, for his ultimate goal is to drag you with him into the Fire. Instead, make your goal the eternal bliss of Paradise, where there is no death, no sorrow, and no end.