أَمْ يُرِيدُونَ كَيْدًا ۖ فَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ هُمُ ٱلْمَكِيدُونَ 42
Translations
Or do they intend a plan? But those who disbelieve - they are the object of a plan.
Transliteration
Am yurīdūna kaydan fa-alladhīna kafarū hum al-mākīdūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah poses a rhetorical question to the disbelievers who plot and scheme against the Prophet (ﷺ) and Islam, asserting that their plots will ultimately backfire upon themselves. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that Allah is warning the disbelievers that their machinations and deceptions will not harm the truth or Allah's plan, but rather they themselves will be ensnared by their own schemes. The ayah emphasizes divine protection of the Prophet and the ultimate failure of those who reject the message.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah At-Tur, a Meccan chapter revealed during the period of intense Meccan opposition to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The broader context addresses the mockery and plotting of the disbelievers against the message of Islam, and reassures the believers of Allah's ultimate dominion and the inevitable outcome of divine truth prevailing over falsehood.
Related Hadiths
The principle reflected here relates to Hadith Qudsi: 'Whoever shows enmity to a friend of Mine, I declare war against him' (Sahih Bukhari 5007), emphasizing Allah's protection of His message. Also relevant is the hadith about the fate of those who plot: 'The cunning and deceit will not harm anyone except its perpetrator' (Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers are reminded that no matter how extensive the plots of opponents may be, Allah's protection of His truth is absolute, and those who engage in deception and schemes against faith will ultimately face the consequences of their own actions. This provides comfort and conviction that truth will ultimately prevail over falsehood.