“They hatched their plots, but their plots are (known) to Allah, even though their plots were such as to make mountains move.”
Summarized discussions on the topic. Click to link shared below.
https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/6fcdf108-14a7-457f-98b5-d13aca341890/audio
Below, I provide translations and tafsir (exegesis) of **Quran 14:46 (Surah Ibrahim)** from various scholars, based on available sources. The verse is presented with its Arabic text, followed by translations and interpretations from different perspectives, including Sunni and Shia scholars where possible. I’ve aimed to keep the response concise yet comprehensive, drawing from reliable sources and avoiding speculation.
—
### Arabic Text of Quran 14:46
**وَقَدْ مَكَرُوا مَكْرَهُمْ وَعِندَ اللَّهِ مَكْرُهُمْ وَإِن كَانَ مَكْرُهُمْ لِتَزُولَ مِنْهُ الْجِبَالُ**
—
Below is the translation and tafsir (exegesis) of **Quran 14:46 (Surah Ibrahim)** specifically from **Tafheem-ul-Quran** by Maulana Abul Ala Maududi, as requested. I’ve kept the response concise, accurate, and focused, drawing directly from Maududi’s work.
—
### Arabic Text of Quran 14:46
**وَقَدْ مَكَرُوا مَكْرَهُمْ وَعِندَ اللَّهِ مَكْرُهُمْ وَإِن كَانَ مَكْرُهُمْ لِتَزُولَ مِنْهُ الْجِبَالُ**
—
### Translation from Tafheem-ul-Quran (Maulana Abul Ala Maududi)
– **Translation**:
– “They hatched their plots, but their plots are (known) to Allah, even though their plots were such as to make mountains move.”
—
### Tafsir from Tafheem-ul-Quran (Maulana Abul Ala Maududi)
– **Context**:
– Maududi explains that this verse addresses the disbelievers, particularly the Quraysh of Mecca, who devised elaborate schemes to oppose Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and suppress the spread of Islam. These plots included attempts to discredit the Prophet, persecute his followers, and obstruct his mission through various means, such as propaganda, threats, and violence.
– **Interpretation**:
– The phrase **”they hatched their plots”** refers to the cunning and determined efforts of the disbelievers to undermine Islam.
– **”Their plots are (known) to Allah”** emphasizes Allah’s complete knowledge and control over their schemes. Nothing escapes His awareness, and their plans are futile against His divine will.
– The expression **”even though their plots were such as to make mountains move”** is a hyperbolic metaphor illustrating the apparent strength and intensity of their schemes. Maududi notes that this highlights the disbelievers’ arrogance in believing their plans could succeed, yet they are insignificant before Allah’s power.
– The verse serves a dual purpose: it warns the disbelievers of the consequences of their opposition to divine guidance and reassures the Prophet and his followers that Allah’s protection and plan will prevail, no matter how formidable the opposition appears.
– **Key Point**:
– Maududi underscores the contrast between human arrogance in plotting against Allah’s message and the divine omniscience that renders such efforts ineffective. The verse is a reminder of Allah’s ultimate authority, justice, and protection for the believers.
—
### Notes
– **Source**: The translation and tafsir are sourced from **Tafheem-ul-Quran** by Maulana Abul Ala Maududi, specifically from its English edition published by Islamic Publications. The exegesis reflects Maududi’s characteristic emphasis on historical context and practical application for believers.
– **Scope**: As requested, I’ve focused exclusively on Tafheem-ul-Quran’s translation and tafsir. If you’d like comparisons with other scholars’ interpretations (e.g., Ibn Kathir, Tabataba’i) or additional details, please let me know.
– **Visual Option**: If you want a visual representation (e.g., a summary chart of Maududi’s tafsir), I can generate one on a canvas panel upon your confirmation.
If you have further questions or need more specific insights, please let me know!
### Translations of Quran 14:46
1. **Yusuf Ali**:
– “Mighty indeed were the plots which they made, but their plots were (well) within the sight of Allah, even though they were such as to shake the hills!”
2. **Sahih International**:
– “And they had planned their plan, but with Allah is [recorded] their plan, even if their plan had been [sufficient] to do away with the mountains.”
3. **Pickthall**:
– “And they have plotted their plot, and their plot is with Allah, though their plot were one whereby the mountains should be moved.”
4. **Shakir**:
– “And they have indeed planned their plan, but their plan is with Allah, though their plan was such that the mountains should be moved thereby.”
5. **Muhammad Asad**:
– “And indeed they devised their plan, but their plan is known to God, even though their plan was such that it could shake mountains.”
—
### Tafsir (Exegesis) from Different Scholars
#### 1. **Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Sunni Scholar)**
– **Context**: Ibn Kathir explains that this verse refers to the disbelievers who plotted against the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his message. Their schemes were elaborate and powerful, aimed at undermining Islam.
– **Interpretation**: The phrase “their plot is with Allah” means that Allah is fully aware of their schemes and has control over them. Even if their plots were so strong as to “move mountains” (an expression of their intensity), they cannot escape Allah’s decree. Ibn Kathir emphasizes Allah’s omniscience and omnipotence, rendering human plots futile against divine will.
– **Key Point**: The verse serves as a warning to disbelievers that no matter how grand their plans, Allah’s plan supersedes all.[](https://x.com/IbnHusayn02/status/1934714836476416339)
#### 2. **Tafsir Al-Tabari (Sunni Scholar)**
– **Context**: Al-Tabari views this verse as addressing the Quraysh and other opponents of the Prophet who schemed to suppress his mission.
– **Interpretation**: The phrase “their plot is with Allah” implies that Allah encompasses their plans in His knowledge and power. The mention of “mountains moving” is hyperbolic, illustrating the magnitude of their efforts, yet these efforts are insignificant before Allah. Al-Tabari cites earlier scholars who interpret this as a reminder of divine justice and retribution.
– **Key Point**: Human plots, no matter how formidable, are ultimately powerless against Allah’s authority.[](https://x.com/IbnHusayn02/status/1934714836476416339)
#### 3. **Tafsir Mahmud Al-Alusi (Sunni Scholar)**
– **Context**: Al-Alusi, in his *Ruh al-Ma’ani*, connects this verse to the broader theme of Surah Ibrahim, which warns against rejecting divine guidance.
– **Interpretation**: He interprets “their plot is with Allah” as Allah not only knowing their schemes but also countering them with His divine plan. The reference to mountains underscores the strength of their opposition, yet it’s futile. Al-Alusi adds a spiritual dimension, suggesting believers should trust in Allah’s protection against such plots.
– **Key Point**: The verse reassures the faithful that Allah’s knowledge and power nullify even the most ambitious schemes of disbelievers.[](https://x.com/IbnHusayn02/status/1934714836476416339)
#### 4. **Tafsir Al-Mizan by Allamah Tabataba’i (Shia Scholar)**
– **Context**: In *Tafsir Al-Mizan*, Tabataba’i links this verse to the universal theme of human rebellion against divine guidance, particularly the plots of disbelievers against prophets.
– **Interpretation**: The phrase “their plot is with Allah” indicates that Allah has full knowledge and control over their actions. The mention of “mountains moving” symbolizes the enormity of their schemes, but Tabataba’i emphasizes that such plots are ultimately self-destructive. He connects this to the Shia concept of divine justice, where oppressors face consequences in this world and the hereafter.
– **Key Point**: The verse highlights Allah’s sovereignty and serves as a reminder of the futility of opposing divine will.[](https://al-islam.org/media/shia-islamic-belief-system-1446)
#### 5. **Tafsir Noor al-Thaqalayn (Shia Perspective)**
– **Context**: This tafsir, rooted in Shia tradition, draws on narrations from the Ahl al-Bayt to explain the verse.
– **Interpretation**: The verse is seen as a condemnation of those who plot against Allah’s chosen messengers. The phrase “their plot is with Allah” suggests that Allah not only knows their plans but will thwart them. The hyperbolic reference to mountains emphasizes the arrogance of the disbelievers, who believe their schemes are unshakable. Narrations attributed to Imam Ali (as) are cited, reinforcing the idea that divine knowledge encompasses all human actions.
– **Key Point**: The verse reassures believers that Allah protects His message and messengers from the plots of adversaries.[](https://al-islam.org/enlightening-commentary-light-holy-quran-vol-8/surah-ibrahim-chapter-14)
#### 6. **Tafsir Jalalayn (Sunni, by Jalaluddin al-Mahalli and Jalaluddin as-Suyuti)**
– **Context**: This concise tafsir focuses on the immediate meaning of the verse within the Quranic narrative.
– **Interpretation**: The verse refers to the disbelievers’ schemes against the Prophet. “Their plot is with Allah” means Allah is aware of and controls their plans. The phrase “to do away with the mountains” is an exaggeration to show the strength of their plots, yet they are ineffective against Allah’s will.
– **Key Point**: The tafsir underscores Allah’s absolute authority over creation and human actions.[](https://myislam.org/surah-ibrahim/ayat-46/)
—
### Common Themes Across Tafsirs
– **Divine Omniscience**: All scholars agree that Allah is fully aware of the disbelievers’ plots, rendering their efforts futile.
– **Futility of Opposition**: The mention of “mountains moving” is a hyperbolic expression of the disbelievers’ arrogance and the perceived strength of their schemes, which are powerless before Allah.
– **Reassurance for Believers**: The verse serves as a warning to disbelievers and a source of comfort for the faithful, affirming Allah’s protection and justice.
– **Contextual Focus**: Most tafsirs link this verse to the Quraysh’s opposition to the Prophet Muhammad, though Shia sources also generalize it to broader themes of divine justice.
—
### Notes
– **Sources**: The translations and tafsirs are drawn from reputable sources like quran.com, al-islam.org, and myislam.org, supplemented by references to posts on X mentioning specific scholars (e.g., Ibn Kathir, Al-Tabari).[](https://quran.com/en/14:46/tafsirs/en-tafsir-maarif-ul-quran)%5B%5D(https://al-islam.org/media/shia-islamic-belief-system-1446)%5B%5D(https://myislam.org/surah-ibrahim/ayat-46/)
– **Limitations**: Some tafsirs (e.g., Al-Alusi’s *Ruh al-Ma’ani*) are less accessible in English, so I’ve summarized based on available excerpts and scholarly consensus. If you need a deeper dive into a specific scholar’s work, let me know!
– **Further Study**: For additional translations or tafsirs, you can explore quran.com for multiple perspectives or al-islam.org for Shia-specific exegesis.[](https://quran.com/en/14:46/tafsirs/en-tafsir-maarif-ul-quran)%5B%5D(https://al-islam.org/enlightening-commentary-light-holy-quran-vol-8/surah-ibrahim-chapter-14)
If you’d like me to focus on a particular scholar, school of thought, or aspect of the verse, or if you want me to generate a visual representation (e.g., a chart comparing translations), please let me know!
Messages from Quran 