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
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ أَن يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا ٱسْمُهُۥ وَسَعَىٰ فِى خَرَابِهَآ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ أَن يَدْخُلُوهَآ إِلَّا خَآئِفِينَ ۚ لَهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا خِزْىٌ وَلَهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
And who are more unjust than those who prevent the name of Allāh from being mentioned [i.e., praised] in His mosques and strive toward their destruction. It is not for them to enter them except in fear. For them in this world is disgrace, and they will have in the Hereafter a great punishment.
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ ءَالَ لُوطٍ ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ
And when the messengers came to the family of Lot,
وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكَ لَعْنَتِىٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ
And indeed, upon you is My curse until the Day of Recompense."
يُضَـٰعَفْ لَهُ ٱلْعَذَابُ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ وَيَخْلُدْ فِيهِۦ مُهَانًا
Multiplied for him is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein humiliated -