فَأَرَادُوا۟ بِهِۦ كَيْدًا فَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْأَسْفَلِينَ 98
Translations
And they intended for him a plan [i.e., harm], but We made them the most debased.
Transliteration
Fa-araadu bihi kaydan faja'alnahahum al-asfaliyn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the people of Ibrahim (Abraham) who plotted to harm him by throwing him into the fire, but Allah made them the lowest and most humiliated instead. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse demonstrates Allah's protection of His righteous servants and His swift punishment of those who scheme against the truth-bearers. The phrase 'al-asfaliyn' (the lowest) signifies both their spiritual degradation and historical defeat, as their plot backfired and they were ultimately vanquished.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah As-Saffat, which emphasizes the power and justice of Allah through narratives of the prophets. It is part of the story of Ibrahim (chapters 37:83-98) and serves to comfort the Prophet Muhammad and early Muslims facing persecution in Mecca by reminding them that Allah always protects His messengers and humiliates those who oppose them.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly references this verse, Surah Al-'Alaq 96:15-18 contains a related warning about those who oppress believers. Additionally, the general principle is supported by hadiths in Sahih Bukhari regarding Allah's protection of the prophets and the inevitable defeat of their enemies.
Themes
Key Lesson
Those who scheme against the truth and Allah's righteous servants will ultimately face degradation and failure, while believers can trust in Allah's protection and justice. This serves as reassurance that opposition to faith brings its own destruction, and encourages steadfastness in facing persecution.
Related Ayahs
وَٱصْنَعِ ٱلْفُلْكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا وَوَحْيِنَا وَلَا تُخَـٰطِبْنِى فِى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّهُم مُّغْرَقُونَ
And construct the ship under Our observation and Our inspiration and do not address Me concerning those who have wronged; indeed, they are [to be] drowned."
دُحُورًا ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ وَاصِبٌ
Repelled; and for them is a constant punishment,
وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ لَحَـٰفِظِينَ
And indeed, [appointed] over you are keepers,
وَٱصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ فَإِنَّكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا ۖ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ حِينَ تَقُومُ
And be patient, [O Muḥammad], for the decision of your Lord, for indeed, you are in Our eyes [i.e., sight]. And exalt [Allāh] with praise of your Lord when you arise