أَفَأَمِنُوا۟ مَكْرَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَلَا يَأْمَنُ مَكْرَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلْقَوْمُ ٱلْخَـٰسِرُونَ 99
Translations
Then, did they feel secure from the plan of Allāh? But no one feels secure from the plan of Allāh except the losing people.
Transliteration
Afa-aminuu makra Allahi fala ya'manu makra Allahi illa al-qawmu al-khasiroon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah warns against false security and complacency regarding Allah's plan and divine punishment. The verse rhetorically asks if the disbelievers feel safe from Allah's strategy (makr), then asserts that only the losers—those who have forfeited their faith and salvation—would feel such false security. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, 'makr' (strategy/plan) here refers to Allah's punishment and trial, and the ayah teaches that spiritual heedlessness and rejection of truth inevitably leads to ruin.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Al-A'raf, which addresses the arrogance of disbelievers who rejected the Prophet Muhammad's message despite clear signs. The verse fits within the broader theme of the surah warning against those who become heedless of Allah's power and accountability on the Day of Judgment. It follows verses discussing the fate of previous nations who ignored divine warnings.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah, and to feel secure from the plan of Allah (la ya'manu makra Allahi)' (referenced in various compilations addressing divine justice). Additionally, Hadith Qudsi relates that Allah said: 'I am as My servant thinks I am,' emphasizing the danger of spiritual complacency.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should never become complacent in their faith or assume they are beyond Allah's accountability; true security comes only through sincere obedience and mindfulness of Allah, not through arrogance or heedlessness of His signs.
Related Ayahs
وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ قَبْلَ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ وَقَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِمُ ٱلْمَثُلَـٰتُ ۗ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ لِّلنَّاسِ عَلَىٰ ظُلْمِهِمْ ۖ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَشَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
They impatiently urge you to bring about evil before good, while there has already occurred before them similar punishments [to what they demand]. And indeed, your Lord is the possessor of forgiveness for the people despite their wrongdoing, and indeed, your Lord is severe in penalty.
إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Indeed in that is a sign, but most of them were not to be believers.
فَٱلْيَوْمَ نُنَجِّيكَ بِبَدَنِكَ لِتَكُونَ لِمَنْ خَلْفَكَ ءَايَةً ۚ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا لَغَـٰفِلُونَ
So today We will save you in body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless.
وَيَـٰقَوْمِ هَـٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةُ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ ءَايَةً فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِىٓ أَرْضِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ قَرِيبٌ
And O my people, this is the she-camel of Allāh - [she is] to you a sign. So let her feed upon Allāh's earth and do not touch her with harm, or you will be taken by an impending punishment."