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
فَدَلَّىٰهُمَا بِغُرُورٍ ۚ فَلَمَّا ذَاقَا ٱلشَّجَرَةَ بَدَتْ لَهُمَا سَوْءَٰتُهُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخْصِفَانِ عَلَيْهِمَا مِن وَرَقِ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ۖ وَنَادَىٰهُمَا رَبُّهُمَآ أَلَمْ أَنْهَكُمَا عَن تِلْكُمَا ٱلشَّجَرَةِ وَأَقُل لَّكُمَآ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ لَكُمَا عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
So he made them fall, through deception. And when they tasted of the tree, their private parts became apparent to them, and they began to fasten together over themselves from the leaves of Paradise. And their Lord called to them, "Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you that Satan is to you a clear enemy?"
قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ ءَامَنتُم بِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَنْ ءَاذَنَ لَكُمْ ۖ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَمَكْرٌ مَّكَرْتُمُوهُ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ لِتُخْرِجُوا۟ مِنْهَآ أَهْلَهَا ۖ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ
Said Pharaoh, "You believed in him before I gave you permission. Indeed, this is a conspiracy which you conspired in the city to expel therefrom its people. But you are going to know.
أَوْ تَقُولُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أَشْرَكَ ءَابَآؤُنَا مِن قَبْلُ وَكُنَّا ذُرِّيَّةً مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ ۖ أَفَتُهْلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ ٱلْمُبْطِلُونَ
Or [lest] you say, "It was only that our fathers associated [others in worship] with Allāh before, and we were but descendants after them. Then would You destroy us for what the falsifiers have done?"
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ إِذَا مَسَّهُمْ طَـٰٓئِفٌ مِّنَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ تَذَكَّرُوا۟ فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْصِرُونَ
Indeed, those who fear Allāh - when an impulse touches them from Satan, they remember [Him] and at once they have insight.