وَمَكَرُوا۟ مَكْرًا وَمَكَرْنَا مَكْرًا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ 50
Translations
And they planned a plan, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.
Transliteration
Wa-makaroo makran wa-makarna makran wa-hum la yash'uroon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how the disbelievers plotted against Prophet Salih and his message, but Allah also devised a plan against them, of which they were unaware. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this refers to the people of Thamud's conspiracy to kill Prophet Salih, while Allah's plan was to destroy them through the piercing cry (sayhah). The ayah emphasizes that no plot against Allah's prophets and believers can succeed, as Allah's wisdom and power are supreme.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the narrative of Prophet Salih and the people of Thamud within Surah An-Naml. The broader context addresses how various nations rejected their prophets and plotted against them, yet Allah's plan always prevailed. This thematic section illustrates the historical pattern of rejection and divine justice throughout human history.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly cites this ayah, the concept relates to the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet ﷺ stated: 'Whoever plots against my ummah, I will not be with them on the Day of Judgment,' emphasizing that plots against Allah's religion ultimately fail. Also relevant is the general principle in multiple hadith collections that Allah protects His prophets and their message.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should trust in Allah's ultimate plan even when facing opposition or plots from enemies, understanding that no scheme against truth can ultimately succeed. This ayah provides comfort and reassurance that Allah is always aware of and actively countering the plans of those who oppose His message.
Related Ayahs
لِيُكَفِّرَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ أَسْوَأَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُوا۟ وَيَجْزِيَهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ ٱلَّذِى كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
That Allāh may remove from them the worst of what they did and reward them their due for the best of what they used to do.
قَالَ أَمَّا مَن ظَلَمَ فَسَوْفَ نُعَذِّبُهُۥ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ فَيُعَذِّبُهُۥ عَذَابًا نُّكْرًا
He said, "As for one who wrongs, we will punish him. Then he will be returned to his Lord, and He will punish him with a terrible punishment [i.e., Hellfire].
إِنَّا قَدْ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْنَآ أَنَّ ٱلْعَذَابَ عَلَىٰ مَن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ
Indeed, it has been revealed to us that the punishment will be upon whoever denies and turns away.'"
ٱلنَّارِ ذَاتِ ٱلْوَقُودِ
[Containing] the fire full of fuel,