وَإِذَآ أَذَقْنَا ٱلنَّاسَ رَحْمَةً مِّنۢ بَعْدِ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتْهُمْ إِذَا لَهُم مَّكْرٌ فِىٓ ءَايَاتِنَا ۚ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ أَسْرَعُ مَكْرًا ۚ إِنَّ رُسُلَنَا يَكْتُبُونَ مَا تَمْكُرُونَ 21
Translations
And when We give the people a taste of mercy after adversity has touched them, at once they conspire against Our verses. Say, "Allāh is swifter in strategy." Indeed, Our messengers [i.e., angels] record that which you conspire.
Transliteration
Wa-idha adhaqna al-nasa rahmatan min ba'di darraa massat-hum idha lahum makrun fi ayatina. Quli Allahu asra'u makra. Inna rusulanā yaktubūna mā tamkurūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how people, after experiencing hardship, become ungrateful and resort to plotting against Allah's signs when relief comes. Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that this reflects human nature's tendency toward ingratitude and spiritual arrogance in times of ease. Allah responds to their machinations by asserting His supreme power—His plot is swifter and more effective—and reminds them that the angels record all their deeds, emphasizing divine omniscience and accountability.
Revelation Context
Surah Yunus is Meccan and addresses the themes of prophethood, divine mercy, and human ingratitude. This ayah fits within the surah's broader context of illustrating how the Meccan disbelievers responded to the Prophet Muhammad's message and miracles with denial and plotting, demonstrating the cyclical pattern of human response to mercy and hardship.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim (2964) contains a hadith where the Prophet ﷺ said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family,' which relates to themes of mercy and good character. Additionally, Tirmidhi (3259) records that 'When Allah intends good for His servant, He hastens his punishment in this life,' which contextualizes divine wisdom in both hardship and ease.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that adversity and ease are both tests from Allah, and true faith requires gratitude in both states and honesty in our dealings. It should humble us to remember that Allah is fully aware of our intentions and actions, and that no deception or plotting escapes His knowledge, encouraging integrity and sincere reliance on Him.