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Life often tests us with moments of waiting - waiting for relief, for answers, for dreams to come true. In these moments, doubts may creep in: Has Allah forgotten me? Why is my dua unanswered? Does He see my struggles?

But Allah, in His infinite wisdom, reassures us:

"وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ نَسِيًّا"
"And your Lord is never forgetful." (Surah Maryam 19:64)

This part of verse is a reminder that every prayer, every hardship, and every moment of patience is accounted for. Allah’s knowledge is complete—He sees what was, what is, and what will be, while we only see a fraction of the picture. When things seem delayed, it is not because He has forgotten, but because He is unfolding the best plan at the perfect time

Background of the Verse

Allah reassures His Prophet ﷺ and all believers with the powerful words:

وَمَا نَتَنَزَّلُ إِلَّا بِأَمْرِ رَبِّكَ ۖ لَهُۥ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِينَا وَمَا خَلْفَنَا وَمَا بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ نَسِيًّا
"And we do not descend except by the command of your Lord. To Him belongs what is before us, what is behind us, and what is between these, and your Lord is never forgetful." (Surah Maryam 19:64)

This verse was revealed when Jibrīl عليه السلام delayed his visit to the Prophet ﷺ, making him deeply anxious. The disbelievers mocked him, saying that his Lord had abandoned him. In response, Allah sent this powerful reassurance: the angels do not descend except by His command, and He never forgets His servants.

The delay of Jibrīl's descent was not a sign of neglect but a lesson in divine timing and submission to Allah's will. Several scholars, including ʿIkrimah, Ad-Daḥḥāk, Qatādah, Muqātil, and Al-Kalbī, narrated an important incident regarding this verse.

When the Quraysh questioned the Prophet ﷺ about the People of the Cave (Aṣḥāb al-Kahf), Dhul-Qarnayn, and the nature of the soul (ar-Rūḥ), he confidently replied:

"I will inform you tomorrow."

However, Jibrīl عليه السلام was delayed for several days, and this caused great distress to the Prophet ﷺ. When Jibrīl finally descended, the Prophet ﷺ expressed his longing, saying:

"You took long to come until I started to worry and deeply missed you."

Jibrīl responded with deep reassurance:

"I, too, longed to come to you, but I am only a servant under Allah’s command. When He sends me, I descend, and when He holds me back, I remain withheld."

It was then that Allah revealed:

"وَمَا نَتَنَزَّلُ إِلَّا بِأَمْرِ رَبِّكَ"
"And we do not descend except by the command of your Lord." (Surah Maryam 19:64)

And along with it, Surah Ad-Ḍuḥā was revealed as a divine comfort:

"وَالضُّحَىٰ وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ"
"By the morning brightness, and by the night when it is still, your Lord has not forsaken you, nor does He hate you." (Surah Ad-Ḍuḥā 93:1-3)

Allah Never Forgets You: Every Prayer and Action is Accounted For

In moments of hardship, humans often feel unheard, as if their duas and efforts go unnoticed. But Allah affirms that nothing is overlooked:

Your Prayers Are Recorded:

Allah hears every whisper of dua, and His response comes at the perfect time. What seems like a delay is, in reality, precise divine timing.

Your Deeds Are Preserved:

Every righteous action, no matter how small, is written in the Divine Record. Allah does not neglect even the hidden acts of goodness.

Your Suffering is Seen:

If you endure difficulty for Allah's sake, it is never wasted. Trials shape you, purify you, and elevate your rank in ways you cannot yet perceive.

Allah reminds us:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ
"Indeed, Allah does not wrong even the weight of an atom." (Surah An-Nisa 4:40)

This means that even the tiniest effort, the smallest act of patience, the quietest dua in sujood—everything is counted and will be rewarded.

Delays Are Not Denials – Allah’s Timing is Always Perfect

The delay of Jibrīl’s visit to the Prophet ﷺ mirrors the delays we experience in life—a job we await, a hardship we want removed, or a prayer we long to be answered. But Allah reminds us not to lose hope.

???? He is preparing something better.
???? He is strengthening you for a greater purpose.
???? He never forgets what is best for you.

Just as rain arrives at the perfect time for the earth, Allah's blessings come exactly when they are meant to.

Allah’s Perfect Knowledge: Beyond the Limits of Time

In the verse:

وَمَا نَتَنَزَّلُ إِلَّا بِأَمْرِ رَبِّكَ ۖ لَهُۥ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِينَا وَمَا خَلْفَنَا وَمَا بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ نَسِيًّا
"And we do not descend except by the command of your Lord. To Him belongs what is before us, what is behind us, and what is between these, and your Lord is never forgetful." (Surah Maryam 19:64)

This part of the verse لَهُۥ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِينَا وَمَا خَلْفَنَا وَمَا بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ beautifully emphasizes Allah’s absolute and limitless knowledge. Unlike human beings, who are bound by time, Allah views all of existence—past, present, and future—simultaneously.

???? We see through a time-bound perspective:

• Humans experience life moment by moment, never knowing what will happen next.
• We make decisions based on limited knowledge and often worry about the unknown.

???? Allah views from a timeless perspective:

• He sees what has passed, what is happening now, and what is yet to come.
• He knows the wisdom behind delays, trials, and the unfolding of events in ways we cannot comprehend.

This is why what we perceive as a "delay" or "unanswered prayer" is, in reality, perfect divine timing. We often ask, "Why isn’t this happening now?" but Allah sees the entire picture—the consequences of granting or withholding something at a given time.

Trusting the Divine Plan

Imagine a child asking for something harmful, unaware of the danger. The parent, out of love and wisdom, withholds it. Similarly, Allah withholds or delays not to deprive us, but to protect, prepare, or grant us something better.

The Qur’an reassures:

وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ
"Perhaps you dislike something, while it is good for you." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:216)

What we see as a setback is actually a setup for something greater. What we think is a denial is actually divine wisdom in action.

A Powerful Message of Hope

Injustice, sorrow, and pain may feel overwhelming, but Allah never neglects His creation. The oppressors may feel unchecked, but their time is accounted for. The oppressed may feel abandoned, but justice is written in divine decree.

As Imam Ash-Shāfiʿī said about this verse:

"This ayah is an arrow in the heart of the oppressor and a balm for the heart of the oppressed."

So, if you are waiting for relief, know that Allah has never forgotten you. He is with you, sees you, and at the perfect time, His decree will unfold in ways beyond your imagination.

Stay patient, keep making dua, and trust His timing.

"وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ نَسِيًّا" – Your Lord Never Forgets.