وَأُمْلِى لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِى مَتِينٌ 183
Translations
And I will give them time. Indeed, My plan is firm.
Transliteration
Wa-umlee lahum, inna kaydee mateen
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah grants respite and extends provision to the disbelievers, allowing them time to continue in their transgression, yet this apparent delay is not a sign of weakness but rather part of Allah's perfect plan. As Ibn Kathir explains, this delay is a trial and a rope by which they are led to destruction, while Allah's plot and plan against them is extremely firm and unbreakable. The ayah conveys that patience in judgment does not indicate inability; rather, Allah's strategy is mighty and will ultimately overtake the arrogant.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-A'raf, which discusses the fate of previous nations who rejected Allah's messengers. It follows the narrative of those who turned away from divine guidance and received respite before their punishment. The verse emphasizes Allah's patience with disbelievers and the inevitability of His plan against those who persist in rejection.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to a hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned how Allah grants respite to the wrongdoer: 'When it is the Day of Judgment, Allah will not look at the one who drags his lower garment in pride.' This reflects the theme of delayed but certain punishment. Additionally, Surah Al-Anfal 8:30 discusses Allah's plot being superior: 'And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that apparent delay in divine punishment should not be mistaken for divine weakness or approval of injustice; rather, it reflects Allah's perfect wisdom and the certainty of His plan. For believers, it instills confidence that despite worldly oppression, Allah's strategy is unshakeable and will ultimately vindicate the righteous while punishing the arrogant.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا فَعَلُوا۟ فَـٰحِشَةً قَالُوا۟ وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهَآ ءَابَآءَنَا وَٱللَّهُ أَمَرَنَا بِهَا ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْفَحْشَآءِ ۖ أَتَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
And when they commit an immorality, they say, "We found our fathers doing it, and Allāh has ordered us to do it." Say, "Indeed, Allāh does not order immorality. Do you say about Allāh that which you do not know?"
فَإِذَا جَآءَتْهُمُ ٱلْحَسَنَةُ قَالُوا۟ لَنَا هَـٰذِهِۦ ۖ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَطَّيَّرُوا۟ بِمُوسَىٰ وَمَن مَّعَهُۥٓ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّمَا طَـٰٓئِرُهُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
But when good [i.e., provision] came to them, they said, "This is ours [by right]." And if a bad [condition] struck them, they saw an evil omen in Moses and those with him. Unquestionably, their fortune is with Allāh, but most of them do not know.
وَلَا تَقْعُدُوا۟ بِكُلِّ صِرَٰطٍ تُوعِدُونَ وَتَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِهِۦ وَتَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا ۚ وَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ إِذْ كُنتُمْ قَلِيلًا فَكَثَّرَكُمْ ۖ وَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
And do not sit on every path, threatening and averting from the way of Allāh those who believe in Him, seeking to make it [seem] deviant. And remember when you were few and He increased you. And see how was the end of the corrupters.
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَلِأَخِى وَأَدْخِلْنَا فِى رَحْمَتِكَ ۖ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ
[Moses] said, "My Lord, forgive me and my brother and admit us into Your mercy, for You are the most merciful of the merciful."