سُوْرَةُ اِبْرَاهِيْمَ
Surah Ibrahim (14) — Ayah 46
وَقَدْ مَكَرُوا۟ مَكْرَهُمْ وَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ مَكْرُهُمْ وَإِن كَانَ مَكْرُهُمْ لِتَزُولَ مِنْهُ ٱلْجِبَالُ ﴿46﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Indeed, they planned their plot, and their plot was with Allâh, though their plot was not such as to remove the mountains (real mountains or the Islâmic law) from their places (as it is of no importance)[Tafsir Ibn Kathir].
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَقَدْ
waqad
And indeed
مَكَرُوا۟
makarū
they planned
مَكْرَهُمْ
makrahum
their plan
وَعِندَ
waʿinda
but with
ٱللَّهِ
l-lahi
Allah
مَكْرُهُمْ
makruhum
(was) their plan
وَإِن
wa-in
even if
كَانَ
kāna
was
مَكْرُهُمْ
makruhum
their plan
لِتَزُولَ
litazūla
that should be moved
مِنْهُ
min'hu
by it
ٱلْجِبَالُ
l-jibālu
the mountains
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
46. They devised their plots (against the truth), but their plotting is known to Allah. Even if their plots were such that they could move mountains [46].
[46]
What Was the Powerful Plot of the Disbelievers of Makkah?
These words are used as an idiom, meaning their plots were so certain and effective that there was no expectation of their failure. What were those plots? Their mention is found in other verses of the Quran: either this Prophet should be exiled, or imprisoned, or killed. Then it was agreed that his house should be besieged, and those besieging would consist of one person from each tribe. All of them together would attack and kill him, and in this way, both the Prophet of Islam and Islam itself would be completely eradicated, and so on. This is the meaning in the case when in ﴿وَاِنْ كَانَ مَكْرُهُمْ لِتَزُوْلَ مِنْهُ الْجِبَالُ﴾ the particle 'in' is understood as conditional. And some commentators have understood the particle 'in' here as negative; in that case, its meaning would be that their plots were not such that mountains would be moved by them. That is, in comparison to Allah’s plan, their plots had no significance. Allah’s planning is so firm that even mountains can be moved by it. Impossible things become possible. And some commentators do not restrict these words only to the Quraysh of Makkah, but take them to mean all rebellious nations who had built very strong and lofty buildings so that even if Allah’s punishment came, they would remain safe. Even if mountains were moved, their schemes would not fail. But when the punishment came, they were destroyed and ruined—then why do you not take a lesson from them?
[46]
What Was the Powerful Plot of the Disbelievers of Makkah?
These words are used as an idiom, meaning their plots were so certain and effective that there was no expectation of their failure. What were those plots? Their mention is found in other verses of the Quran: either this Prophet should be exiled, or imprisoned, or killed. Then it was agreed that his house should be besieged, and those besieging would consist of one person from each tribe. All of them together would attack and kill him, and in this way, both the Prophet of Islam and Islam itself would be completely eradicated, and so on. This is the meaning in the case when in ﴿وَاِنْ كَانَ مَكْرُهُمْ لِتَزُوْلَ مِنْهُ الْجِبَالُ﴾ the particle 'in' is understood as conditional. And some commentators have understood the particle 'in' here as negative; in that case, its meaning would be that their plots were not such that mountains would be moved by them. That is, in comparison to Allah’s plan, their plots had no significance. Allah’s planning is so firm that even mountains can be moved by it. Impossible things become possible. And some commentators do not restrict these words only to the Quraysh of Makkah, but take them to mean all rebellious nations who had built very strong and lofty buildings so that even if Allah’s punishment came, they would remain safe. Even if mountains were moved, their schemes would not fail. But when the punishment came, they were destroyed and ruined—then why do you not take a lesson from them?
