وَمَكَرُوا۟ مَكْرًا كُبَّارًا 22
Translations
And they conspired an immense conspiracy
Transliteration
Wa-makaroo makran kubbara
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelievers plotted against Prophet Nuh with a great and comprehensive scheme, attempting to discredit him and prevent people from following his message. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to their mockery, ridicule, and organized opposition to Noah's preaching over his 950 years of da'wah. Their 'great plot' ultimately proved futile against Allah's will, as only the believers were saved in the Ark.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Nuh's narrative of Prophet Noah's struggle against his people's disbelief. It contextualizes the severe resistance and coordinated efforts by the Meccan polytheists (and by extension, all who reject divine messengers) to suppress the truth. The surah was revealed in Mecca during a period of intense opposition to Prophet Muhammad, drawing parallels to Noah's experience.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3344) mentions that the people of Nuh said to him: 'You have not brought us except confusion,' reflecting their coordinated rejection. Additionally, Surah Nuh 71:7 states they 'plotted a plot' - Al-Tirmidhi includes traditions about how disbelievers continuously conspired against the prophets.
Themes
Key Lesson
No matter how elaborate the schemes of those who reject divine guidance may appear, they are ultimately powerless against Allah's plan; believers should remain steadfast in faith despite opposition and ridicule from society.
Related Ayahs
أَوْ يُلْقَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِ كَنزٌ أَوْ تَكُونُ لَهُۥ جَنَّةٌ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهَا ۚ وَقَالَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا رَجُلًا مَّسْحُورًا
Or [why is not] a treasure presented to him [from heaven], or does he [not] have a garden from which he eats?" And the wrongdoers say, "You follow not but a man affected by magic."
تِلْكَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآئِهَا ۚ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَمَا كَانُوا۟ لِيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِمَا كَذَّبُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَطْبَعُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
Those cities - We relate to you, [O Muḥammad], some of their news. And certainly did their messengers come to them with clear proofs, but they were not to believe in that which they had denied before. Thus does Allāh seal over the hearts of the disbelievers.
كَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
The people of Noah denied the messengers
وَإِن تُكَذِّبُوا۟ فَقَدْ كَذَّبَ أُمَمٌ مِّن قَبْلِكُمْ ۖ وَمَا عَلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
And if you [people] deny [the message] - already nations before you have denied. And there is not upon the Messenger except [the duty of] clear notification.