16. [an-Nahl, Mecca 70]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
أَفَأَمِنَ
الَّذِينَ
مَكَرُواْ
السَّيِّئَاتِ...
16: 45. Do then those who devise evil (plots) feel secure
... أَن يَخْسِفَ اللّهُ بِهِمُ الأَرْضَ...
that Allah will not cause the earth to swallow them up,
... أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمُ الْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لاَ يَشْعُرُونَ ﴿٤٥﴾
or that the Wrath will not seize them from directions they little perceive? --
C2071. Cf. 16:26.
The wicked plot against Prophets of Allah in secret, forgetting that every hidden thought of theirs is known to Allah, and that for every thought and action of theirs they will have to account to Allah.
And Allah's punishment can seize them in various ways. Four are enumerated here.
1. They may be swallowed up in the earth like Qarun, whose story is told in 28:76-81.
He was swallowed up in the earth while he was arrogantly exulting on the score of his wealth.
2. It may be that, like Haman, the prime minister of Pharaoh, they are plotting against Allah, when they are themselves overwhelmed by some dreadful calamity; 40:36-38, 29:39-40.
The case of Pharaoh is also in point. He was drowned while he was arrogantly hoping to frustrate Allah's plans for Israel-, 10:90-92.
For 3 and 4 see the next two notes. (R).
أَوْ
يَأْخُذَهُمْ
فِي تَقَلُّبِهِمْ...
16: 46. Or that He may not call them to account in the midst of their goings to and fro,
C2072.
3. Or the punishment may come to people away from their homes and humble them in their pride. It so happened to Abu Jahl, who came exulting in his pride to the Battle of Badr (A.H. 2).
His army was three times the size of the Muslim army from Madinah. But it suffered a crushing defeat, and he himself was ignominiously slain.
... فَمَا هُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ ﴿٤٦﴾
without a chance of their frustrating Him? --
أَوْ يَأْخُذَهُمْ
عَلَى تَخَوُّفٍ...
16: 47. Or that He may not call them to account by a process of slow wastage --
C2073.
4. Or, as often happens, the punishment comes slowly and imperceptibly, the power of the enemies of Allah being wasted gradually, until it is extinguished.
This happened to the Makkans during the eight years of the Prophet's exile. The conquest of Makkah was bloodless, because the power of the enemy had gradually vanished. The Prophet was thus able to show the unexampled generosity and clemency which he showed on that occasion, for two of Allah's attributes are expressed in the titles "Full of kindness" (Ra'uf) and "Full of mercy" (Rahim).
... فَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٤٧﴾
for thy Lord is indeed full of kindness and mercy.
16: 45
Pickthall Are they who plan ill deeds then secure that Allah will not cause the earth to swallow them, or that the doom will not come on them whence they know not?
Yuksel Have those who schemed evil guaranteed that God will not make the earth swallow them, or the retribution come to them from where they do not expect?
Transliteration Afa'aminal lazina makarus sayyi'a_ti ay yakhsifalla_hu bihimul arda au ya'tiyahumul 'aza_bu min haisu la_ yasy'uru_n(a),
16: 46
Pickthall Or that He will not seize them in their going to and fro so that there be no escape for them?
Yuksel Or that He will take them in their actions as the cannot escape?
Transliteration Au ya'khuzahum fi taqallubihim fama_ hum bi mu'jizin(a),
16: 47
Pickthall Or that He will not seize them with a gradual wasting? Lo! thy Lord is indeed Full of Pity, Merciful!
Yuksel Or that He will take them while they are in fear? Your Lord is Kind, Compassionate.
Transliteration Au ya'khuzahum 'ala_ takhawwuf(in), fa inna rabbakum lara'u_fur rahim(un).