وَأَرَادُوا۟ بِهِۦ كَيْدًا فَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْأَخْسَرِينَ 70
Translations
And they intended for him a plan [i.e., harm], but We made them the greatest losers.
Transliteration
Wa-arado bihi kaydan faja'alnāhumu al-akhsarīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the plotters who conspired against Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) when they attempted to harm him by throwing him into the fire, but Allah thwarted their evil scheme and made them the true losers. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that those who scheme against Allah's prophets ultimately face disgrace and loss in this life and the Hereafter, as Allah's protection and wisdom always prevail over human machinations.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Prophet Ibrahim in Surah Al-Anbya, which recounts how the polytheists of his community plotted to harm him for destroying their idols. The surah was revealed in Mecca during the period of intense persecution of the Prophet Muhammad and the early Muslims, serving as encouragement that Allah protects His messengers and believers from the schemes of their enemies.
Related Hadiths
The story of Ibrahim is referenced in various hadiths about patience and trust in Allah. See Sahih Bukhari (Vol. 4, Book 55) which contains extensive accounts of Prophet Ibrahim's trials. Additionally, Surah Al-Anbya 21:69 ('We said, O fire, be coolness and safety for Ibrahim') is complemented by the hadith in Jami' at-Tirmidhi about how Allah protects His righteous servants.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that those who scheme to harm Allah's message and messengers ultimately deceive only themselves and face divine punishment, while those who trust in Allah and remain steadfast are protected. Believers should take comfort that wickedness and plots against righteousness are ultimately self-defeating in Allah's eternal justice.
Related Ayahs
وَنُوحًا إِذْ نَادَىٰ مِن قَبْلُ فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُۥ فَنَجَّيْنَـٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلْكَرْبِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
And [mention] Noah, when he called [to Allāh] before [that time], so We responded to him and saved him and his family from the great affliction [i.e., the flood].
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقَتْ لَهُم مِّنَّا ٱلْحُسْنَىٰٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَنْهَا مُبْعَدُونَ
Indeed, those for whom the best [reward] has preceded from Us - they are from it far removed.
قُلْ مَن يَكْلَؤُكُم بِٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ مِنَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۗ بَلْ هُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّهِم مُّعْرِضُونَ
Say, "Who can protect you at night or by day from the Most Merciful?" But they are, from the remembrance of their Lord, turning away.
فَفَهَّمْنَـٰهَا سُلَيْمَـٰنَ ۚ وَكُلًّا ءَاتَيْنَا حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا ۚ وَسَخَّرْنَا مَعَ دَاوُۥدَ ٱلْجِبَالَ يُسَبِّحْنَ وَٱلطَّيْرَ ۚ وَكُنَّا فَـٰعِلِينَ
And We gave understanding of it [i.e., the case] to Solomon, and to each [of them] We gave judgement and knowledge. And We subjected the mountains to exalt [Us], along with David and [also] the birds. And We were doing [that].