Verse 16:26

Verse 16:26 from Surah An-Nahl (Tafheem ul Quran by Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi)

Translation:
Surely many people before them had plotted in a similar manner to (vanquish the Truth), but Allah uprooted the whole structure of their plot from its foundations so that the roof fell in upon them, and the chastisement (of Allah) visited them from unknown directions. 12

Explanation/Tafsir:
This verse is part of a broader commentary on verses 16:26-34, which discusses the fate of disbelievers who plot against the truth, their humiliation on the Day of Resurrection, and the contrast with the righteous. The verse specifically illustrates how previous nations schemed against Allah’s message, but their plots were completely dismantled by divine intervention—metaphorically described as a building collapsing from its foundations, with punishment coming unexpectedly. This serves as a warning to the contemporary disbelievers in Makkah that similar consequences await those who oppose the truth. The theme ties into the immediate post-death torment in Barzakh (the intermediate realm) and ultimate judgment, emphasizing that such plots ultimately lead to self-destruction and divine retribution. 12