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
وَلَوْ أَنَّ لِكُلِّ نَفْسٍ ظَلَمَتْ مَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لَٱفْتَدَتْ بِهِۦ ۗ وَأَسَرُّوا۟ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ۖ وَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُم بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
And if each soul that wronged had everything on earth, it would offer it in ransom. And they will confide regret when they see the punishment; and they will be judged in justice, and they will not be wronged.
وَوُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَلَيْهَا غَبَرَةٌ
And [other] faces, that Day, will have upon them dust.
قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا مَن قَدَّمَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا فَزِدْهُ عَذَابًا ضِعْفًا فِى ٱلنَّارِ
They will say, "Our Lord, whoever brought this upon us - increase for him double punishment in the Fire."
مَّنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِى لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۗ وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّىٰ نَبْعَثَ رَسُولًا
Whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul. And whoever errs only errs against it. And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.