وَأُمْلِى لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِى مَتِينٌ 183
Translations
And I will give them time. Indeed, My plan is firm.
Transliteration
Wa-umlee lahum, inna kaydee mateen
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah grants respite and extends provision to the disbelievers, allowing them time to continue in their transgression, yet this apparent delay is not a sign of weakness but rather part of Allah's perfect plan. As Ibn Kathir explains, this delay is a trial and a rope by which they are led to destruction, while Allah's plot and plan against them is extremely firm and unbreakable. The ayah conveys that patience in judgment does not indicate inability; rather, Allah's strategy is mighty and will ultimately overtake the arrogant.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-A'raf, which discusses the fate of previous nations who rejected Allah's messengers. It follows the narrative of those who turned away from divine guidance and received respite before their punishment. The verse emphasizes Allah's patience with disbelievers and the inevitability of His plan against those who persist in rejection.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to a hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned how Allah grants respite to the wrongdoer: 'When it is the Day of Judgment, Allah will not look at the one who drags his lower garment in pride.' This reflects the theme of delayed but certain punishment. Additionally, Surah Al-Anfal 8:30 discusses Allah's plot being superior: 'And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that apparent delay in divine punishment should not be mistaken for divine weakness or approval of injustice; rather, it reflects Allah's perfect wisdom and the certainty of His plan. For believers, it instills confidence that despite worldly oppression, Allah's strategy is unshakeable and will ultimately vindicate the righteous while punishing the arrogant.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ شُعَيْبًا كَأَن لَّمْ يَغْنَوْا۟ فِيهَا ۚ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ شُعَيْبًا كَانُوا۟ هُمُ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ
Those who denied Shuʿayb - it was as though they had never resided there. Those who denied Shuʿayb - it was they who were the losers.
وَإِذْ قَالَتْ أُمَّةٌ مِّنْهُمْ لِمَ تَعِظُونَ قَوْمًا ۙ ٱللَّهُ مُهْلِكُهُمْ أَوْ مُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا ۖ قَالُوا۟ مَعْذِرَةً إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ
And when a community among them said, "Why do you advise [or warn] a people whom Allāh is [about] to destroy or to punish with a severe punishment?" they [the advisors] said, "To be absolved before your Lord and perhaps they may fear Him."
وَٱتَّخَذَ قَوْمُ مُوسَىٰ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ مِنْ حُلِيِّهِمْ عِجْلًا جَسَدًا لَّهُۥ خُوَارٌ ۚ أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّهُۥ لَا يُكَلِّمُهُمْ وَلَا يَهْدِيهِمْ سَبِيلًا ۘ ٱتَّخَذُوهُ وَكَانُوا۟ ظَـٰلِمِينَ
And the people of Moses made, after [his departure], from their ornaments a calf - an image having a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to a way? They took it [for worship], and they were wrongdoers.
فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِهِۦٓ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَنَالُهُمْ نَصِيبُهُم مِّنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُنَا يَتَوَفَّوْنَهُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ قَالُوا۟ ضَلُّوا۟ عَنَّا وَشَهِدُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ كَـٰفِرِينَ
And who is more unjust than one who invents about Allāh a lie or denies His verses? Those will attain their portion of the decree until, when Our messengers [i.e., angels] come to them to take them in death, they will say, "Where are those you used to invoke besides Allāh?" They will say, "They have departed from us," and will bear witness against themselves that they were disbelievers.