وَأَرَادُوا۟ بِهِۦ كَيْدًا فَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْأَخْسَرِينَ 70
Translations
And they intended for him a plan [i.e., harm], but We made them the greatest losers.
Transliteration
Wa-arado bihi kaydan faja'alnāhumu al-akhsarīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the plotters who conspired against Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) when they attempted to harm him by throwing him into the fire, but Allah thwarted their evil scheme and made them the true losers. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that those who scheme against Allah's prophets ultimately face disgrace and loss in this life and the Hereafter, as Allah's protection and wisdom always prevail over human machinations.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Prophet Ibrahim in Surah Al-Anbya, which recounts how the polytheists of his community plotted to harm him for destroying their idols. The surah was revealed in Mecca during the period of intense persecution of the Prophet Muhammad and the early Muslims, serving as encouragement that Allah protects His messengers and believers from the schemes of their enemies.
Related Hadiths
The story of Ibrahim is referenced in various hadiths about patience and trust in Allah. See Sahih Bukhari (Vol. 4, Book 55) which contains extensive accounts of Prophet Ibrahim's trials. Additionally, Surah Al-Anbya 21:69 ('We said, O fire, be coolness and safety for Ibrahim') is complemented by the hadith in Jami' at-Tirmidhi about how Allah protects His righteous servants.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that those who scheme to harm Allah's message and messengers ultimately deceive only themselves and face divine punishment, while those who trust in Allah and remain steadfast are protected. Believers should take comfort that wickedness and plots against righteousness are ultimately self-defeating in Allah's eternal justice.
Related Ayahs
قَالُوا۟ فَأْتُوا۟ بِهِۦ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْيُنِ ٱلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْهَدُونَ
They said, "Then bring him before the eyes of the people that they may testify."
ثُمَّ صَدَقْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْوَعْدَ فَأَنجَيْنَـٰهُمْ وَمَن نَّشَآءُ وَأَهْلَكْنَا ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ
Then We fulfilled for them the promise, and We saved them and whom We willed and destroyed the transgressors.
بَلْ نَقْذِفُ بِٱلْحَقِّ عَلَى ٱلْبَـٰطِلِ فَيَدْمَغُهُۥ فَإِذَا هُوَ زَاهِقٌ ۚ وَلَكُمُ ٱلْوَيْلُ مِمَّا تَصِفُونَ
Rather, We dash the truth upon falsehood, and it destroys it, and thereupon it departs. And for you is destruction from that which you describe.
قَـٰلَ رَبِّ ٱحْكُم بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَرَبُّنَا ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ٱلْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ
[The Prophet (ﷺ)] has said, "My Lord, judge [between us] in truth. And our Lord is the Most Merciful, the one whose help is sought against that which you describe."