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
وَيَـٰٓـَٔادَمُ ٱسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ فَكُلَا مِنْ حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
And "O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat from wherever you will but do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers."
لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ فَقَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥٓ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
We had certainly sent Noah to his people, and he said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a tremendous Day."
فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلرَّجْفَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ فِى دَارِهِمْ جَـٰثِمِينَ
So the earthquake seized them, and they became within their home [corpses] fallen prone.
سَأَصْرِفُ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَكَبَّرُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ كُلَّ ءَايَةٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِهَا وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ سَبِيلَ ٱلرُّشْدِ لَا يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلًا وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ سَبِيلَ ٱلْغَىِّ يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَكَانُوا۟ عَنْهَا غَـٰفِلِينَ
I will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant upon the earth without right; and if they should see every sign, they will not believe in it. And if they see the way of consciousness, they will not adopt it as a way; but if they see the way of error, they will adopt it as a way. That is because they have denied Our signs and they were heedless of them.