ذَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُوهِنُ كَيْدِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ 18
Translations
That [is so], and [also] that Allāh will weaken the plot of the disbelievers.
Transliteration
Dhālikum wa-anna Allāha muhhin kayda al-kāfirīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah weakens and diminishes the plots and schemes of the disbelievers, assuring the believers of ultimate victory despite their apparent weakness. Ibn Kathir explains that this is a divine promise that no matter how elaborate or numerous the plans of the disbelievers are, Allah will render them ineffective and futile. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this weakening occurs both in this life through their military defeats and in the Hereafter through their eternal punishment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Anfal, which was revealed after the Battle of Badr (2 AH), the first major military victory for the Muslims. The surah discusses the distribution of war spoils and addresses questions about the battle's outcome. This specific ayah reassures believers that their victory at Badr was not due to their superior numbers or weapons, but because Allah actively weakened the disbelievers' plans and strategy.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim record that the Prophet (ﷺ) said on the morning of Badr: 'O Allah, here come the Quraysh with their pride and arrogance, disputing Your signs. O Allah, grant me victory over them.' This illustrates reliance on Allah's promise to weaken the enemy's plans. Additionally, the hadith about the 313 believers defeating 1000 Meccan polytheists demonstrates the practical manifestation of this divine principle.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should trust that regardless of how powerful worldly opponents appear, Allah's plan always prevails against those who reject truth and righteousness. This teaches that faith in Allah's promise and obedience to His commands is more valuable than material resources or numerical superiority.