Is Allah a deceiver?

Is Allah a deceiver?

Many critics(especially Christian Missionaries) throughout years have popularize the “Allah is a deceiver” argument and went on with it for quite some time now. Despite it having very little and no evidence at all which proves it to be true and its obvious dishonest misrepresentation, this argument is very incoherent.

They start of using chapter 3 verse 54 of the Quran which reads:

And the disbelievers planned, but Allah planned. And Allah is the best of planners.

[1] Quran 3:54 Saheeh International

It doesn’t take much critical to understand what does this verse has to do with Allah being a “deceiver”? According to Christian Missionaries it has every thing to do with it.

#1 The Arabic word ‘Makr’

The Arabic word used here which is translated as “plan” is ‘makr’ which they claim means a ‘deceiver’.

They do this by dismissing any translation which translates it to other than the word ‘deceiver’ by labeling it a “deceptive translation”. Lets what some orientalist, Non-Muslim translations translated this passage as.

John Arberry:

And they devised, and God devised, and God is the best of devisers.

[2] Quran 3:54 Arthur John Arberry translation

Henry Palmer:

But they (the Jews) were crafty, and God was crafty, for God is the best of crafty ones!

[3] Quran 3:54 Henry palmer translation

George Sale:

And the Jews devised a stratagem against him; but God devised a stratagem against them; and God is the best deviser of stratagems

[4] Quran 3:54 George Sale translation

John Rodwell

And the Jews plotted, and God plotted: But of those who plot is God the best

[5] Quran 3:54 John Medows Rodwell Translation

NJ Dawood

They contrived, and God contrived; God is the supreme Contriver.

[6] Quran 3:54 N J Dawood (2014) Translation

All of them despite being not recommended by Muslims all of them, have translated the word ‘Makr’ as something to being relation to with a planning. None of them have translated the word which comes close to ‘deceiving’.

The word deceiving according to the Cambridge English dictionary is defined as:

to persuade someone that something false is the truth, or to keep the truth hidden from someone for your own advantage:

[7] https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/deceive

Allah does NOT keep the truth hidden and definitely not for his own advantage. Matter of fact one of Allah’s names is ‘Al Haqq’ which means ‘the absolute truth’.

The term ‘makr’ actually has different meanings.

MAKR

Has two meanings:

1.Plotting or planning evil intent.

2.Planning for a good purpose: ‘Wa Makaru wa Makara Allah wa’LLahu Khairul Makereen’ (Surah Aali Imran 3:54. They planned and Allah planned and Allah is the best of planners’.

Makara = they plotted. Makara = He planned.

Makkar = plotter.

Makereen = plotters

[8] Glossary Of Islamic Terms: English–Arabic – By Anwer Mahmoud Zanaty page 131 – 132

Allah being a planner or a scheming applies in the contexts of counter-plotting schemes.

Islam Web one of the most authoritative sites for fatwa’s affirms this,

Based on that, Makr (plotting, planning, or scheming) can be either praiseworthy or blameworthy; if it is counter plotting aiming at subverting the evil plots of the opponents, it is praiseworthy because it entails being stronger than such plotters (opponents); otherwise, it is blameworthy and implies dispraise as it is labeled as betrayal. Therefore, Allaah, The Exalted, never described Himself with the attribute of ‘Maakir’, meaning plotter or schemer in the broader sense of the word. Rather, plotting is attributable to Allaah in the contexts when it is counter to plotting aiming at subverting the evil schemes of the disbelievers against Him and His Messengers and when it is restricted to that. Hence, it can be said that Allaah plots against His enemies or those who plot against Him and the believers and not in the general sense of the word.

[9] https://www.islamweb.net/en/fatwa/295183/refuting-the-malicious-allegation-that-allaah-deceives-people

Hence Allah in no way could be considered as a deceiver.

In these verses the miraculous event of the Ascension of Sayyidna Isa (Jesus Christ) has been mentioned. ‘And they made a move’ refers to the evil designs of the Jews who planned to arrest him and to get him crucified. The next sentence i.e., ‘and Allah made a move’ refers to the plan designed by Allah Almighty to save his Prophet Isa (Jesus) from their ill designs. Let us begin with … translated as ‘and Allah is the best of those who make moves’. The word, makr in Arabic denotes a subtle and secret move or plan. If this is for a good purpose, it is good; and if this is for a bad purpose, it is bad. It is why the restriction of saiyy (… : evil) was placed with makr (…: move, plan) in: … (And evil plan besets none but its perpetrator – 35:43).”

[10] Ma’arifulul Quran volume 2, page 76 – 77

“The word … (Makr) used in verse 21:… (say, ‘Allah is more swift in making plans’) means secret plan or move that could be good or bad. Whenever this word has become a part of the local language, care should be taken that it is not rendered as deception’. … It is obvious that Allah Ta’ala is free from it. The warning given in verse 23: … (your rebellion is, in fact, against your own-selves) tells us that the curse of injustice is certain and, much before matters are settled in the hereafter, one who is guilty of doing injustice must suffer from its evil consequences in this world as well. The Holy Prophet has said: ‘Allah Ta’ala hastens to repay mercy shown to relatives and favour done to people (whereby its blessings start becoming visible in this world, much before the Hereafter). And He hastens to repay injustices done and relationships severed (in that its consequences have to be faced within the life of this world). (reported by Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah with a hasan chain of narrators) In another Hadith narrated by Sayyidah A’ishah…, the Holy Prophet said, ‘there are three sins the curse whereof falls on the sinner himself: Injustice, breach of trust and deception.’ (Reported by Abu ash-Shaykh and Ibn Marduwayh in Tafsir) (See Mazhari).

[11] Ma’arifulul Quran volume 4, page 538

Makara is applied both to plotting with an evil purpose and planning with a good purpose. Cf. 3:54, and 0. 392 ‘And the unbelievers plotted and planned, and Allah too planned, and the best of planners is Allah.’

[12] The meaning of the Noble Qur’an, Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Page 446

Makr is explained by R as the turning of another with ingenuity or skill from that which he aims at, and he considers makr as of two sorts, a good one and an evil one. Therefore the best interpretation of the word Makara (including both sorts) is that adopted by T, viz he exercised craft, cunning, art, or skill in the management or ordering of affairs with excellent consideration or deliberation, and ability to manage according to his own free will (LL). The idea of the plan being contrived for an evil purpose or clandestinely, which is included in the significance of the word, has led many to take that idea as its exclusive significance, which is not the case. Makar-Llahu may also signify that Allah recompensed or requited them for their makr (T-LL). According to some, its original significance is the gathering of an affair and its strengthening (Rz). All these explanations show that it is the equivalent of the word plan, the good or evil nature of the plan being dependent on the object or doer’s intention. Allah is called here Khair al-makarin or the Best of planners, the qualifying word khair being inapplicable to an evil object. The Jews planned to put Jesus to death by crucifixion, and Allah made a plan to frustrate their plans; and Allah’s plan was successful…

[13] The Holy Quran – Arabic Text with English Translation, Commentary and comprehensive Introduction [Year 2002 Edition] by Muhammad Ali, page 152 – 153

The Arabic word to denote planning is “makr”. This word is generally used in a negative context for a or a scheme,as Allah says in Surah Fatir,”The consequences of evil schemes only encompass those who devise them”[Surah 35,verse 43].The word may also be used to denote positive ideas and plands as well. In this verse,when the word is used for Allah,it refers to His divine plan which is unknown to others.

[14] Tafsir Anwar Al Bayan pg 388-389

Moving on this verse in particular does not even refer to Allah making ALL people deluded or deceived. This verse is talking about how Jesus was overtaken by the plotting of the Jews and this verse is applied to this context. One has to read the entire context of the verse to understand.

We note here that the Qur’ān uses the same term to describe what the Jews plotted against Jesus and what God plans for them. This, in effect, ridicules their scheming, since it will have to be set against what God schemes. How can their scheming be compared to what God plans? Indeed, how can their power be compared to God’s might?

[15] Fi Zilal al-Qur’an pg 81

Lit., they schemed’ – here referring to those among the Jews who refused to acknowledge Jesus as a prophet and tried to destroy him.

[16] The Message of The Quran – translated and explained by Muhammad Asad page 120

They plotted refers to Jesus’ enemies. Other verses mention God’s “scheming” against the schemes of disbelieving people (8:30; 13:42; 27:50). Some understand God’s “scheming” to refer to His taking and raising Jesus unto Himself (see v. 55, and commentary on 4:157–58)

[17] The study Quran 3:54

Allah does not plot against Good. Allah plots only against evil. Therefore, Allah plots against and deceives the enemies of Allah Almighty as a counter-response to their evil scheming.

Moreover ‘Makr’ itself does not have the connotation of evil in it. It becomes evident from the above testimonies that the Arabic word ‘makr’ means a plan and strategy which may be good or evil.

Even the Quran corpus rendered the word ‘makr’ as plan. [] http://corpus.quran.com/wordbyword.jsp?chapter=3&verse=54#(3:54:1)

The word ‘makr’ and Prophet’s prayer :

“My Lord, help me but do not help against me. Give me victory but not give victory over me. Plan for me and do not plan against me.”

[18] Tafsir Al Qurtubi 4/99)

Considering the above details about the meaning of ‘makr’ and the rest of the wording of the prayers the meaning becomes clear. The Prophet as a humble servant of Allah prayed to Him to seek His help and thus taught his followers the right conduct.

The Prophet prayed to be helped and not helped against, to be granted victory and not granted victory over and to be planned for and not planned against. Just as help (a’anah) and being given victory (nusrah) are not evil by themselves neither is planning. It is the purpose and aim which makes something evil. And planning against wrong-doers is indeed good and that is what Allah does. And by this prayer all that Prophet intended was to beseech Allah to keep him guided to the straight path and thus to be saved from His planning against him.

#2 The Arabic word ‘Kayd’

And I will give them time. Indeed, my plan is firm.

[19] Quran 7:183 Saheeh International

“They are devising plans, and I Am devising plans

[20] Qur’an 86:15-16

The Arabic word used here for plan this time is ‘kayd’. Critics also use this verse to prove Allah practices deceit. However like the word ‘makr’ this also means plan.

Here are sources which affirm this.

Islam Q/A:

The original linguistic meaning of the Arabic word kayd (plan, plot, scheme) is simply planning, but after that the meaning may vary according to the way in which it is used and the context; it may mean planning for a good purpose or scheming for an evil purpose.

When Allah, may He be exalted, referred to Himself as planning or plotting against the wrongdoers, this refers to planning for a good and true purpose, to requite the wrongdoers for their planning or scheming for bad purposes. In the case of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, it is a matter of perfection, even though the word kayd (planning or plotting) may be a shortcoming and blameworthy in the case of people, for Allah, may He be exalted, does not resemble His creation either in His Essence or in His attributes or in His deeds.

The Qur’an did not attribute kayd (planning, plotting) in a general sense to Allah, may He be exalted, without qualification. Rather kayd (planning) is attributed to Him, may He be glorified, as a counterpart to the kayd (plots and schemes) of the disbelievers, as we see in the verses quoted above and in similar verses of the Holy Qur’an.

[21] https://islamqa.info/en/answers/298313/is-it-permissible-to-describe-allah-may-he-be-exalted-as-planning-or-plotting

Abu Mansur al-Azhari:

Kayd means planning, for a negative or positive purpose.

[22] Ahdheeb al-Lughah (10/327)

Imam As Sadi:

“Indeed, they” that is, those who reject the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and the Qur’an “are planning a plan” to defeat the truth and support falsehood

“But I am planning a plan” to cause the truth to prevail, even if the disbelievers hate it, and to ward off what they have brought of falsehood, so that it may be known who will prevail, for humans are too weak and insignificant to be able to resist the Most Strong, All-Knowing and His plans.

“So allow time for the disbelievers. Leave them awhile” that is, for a short time, for they will come to know their fate when the punishment descends upon them.

[23] Tafsir As Sadi 86:15-16

Shaykh Atiyyah Saalim:

The words “Indeed, they are planning a plan, But I am planning a plan” [at-Taariq 86:16] attribute this action to Allah, may He be exalted. The scholars said that this comes under the heading of a requital and response to their action, as in the verses

“And the disbelievers planned, but Allah planned”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:54]

and

“And when they meet those who believe, they say, ‘We believe’; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, ‘Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers.’

[But] Allah mocks them…”

[al-Baqarah 2:14-15].

The early generations (salaf) were unanimously agreed that these actions cannot be attributed to Allah, may He be exalted, in general terms, and it is not permissible to derive a name for Him from them; rather they may be mentioned in the context of discussing what people did and how He counters their deeds, because without this context such actions are not appropriate for Allah, may He be exalted, but in that context it is very appropriate, wise and proper.

[24] Adwaa’ al-Bayaan (9/164-165)

Ibn ‘Uthaymeen:

With regard to an attribute of divine perfection that is to be qualified within a specific context, it cannot be attributed to Allah in a general sense, without qualification. This applies to actions such as plotting, deceiving, mocking and so on. These are attributes of perfection that are to be qualified within a specific context, and may be attributed to Him as actions done in requital for what they (the disbelievers) do. In that context, they are attributes of perfection, but in general terms, without qualification within a specific context, they are not to be attributed to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted. Hence it is not valid to describe Him in general terms as a “plotter” or “mocker” or “deceiver”; rather these terms should be qualified and placed in a specific context. So we might say that He is a plotter against those who plot, He is a mocker of the hypocrites, He is a deceiver of the hypocrites, a schemer against the disbelievers – thus placing these words in context, because they are never mentioned except in such contexts.

[25] Sharh al-‘Aqeedah al-Waasitah (1/143)

Ibn Taymiyah:

These actions – plotting, making fun and mocking – if they are directed at one who does not deserve punishment, then they are wronging him. But if they are done to someone by way of requital and as a punishment to him by doing to him what he did to others, then doing them is justice.

[26] Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa (7/111)

#3 The Arabic word khid’a

Surely, the hypocrites (try to) deceive Allah while He is the One who leaves them in deception.

[27] Quran 4;142

The same applies here as stated previously.

Raghib Isfahani explains what Khid’a is in this context.

“He made him to resign, or relinquish, the object he had in view, by pretending to him something contrary to what he intended.”

[28] Mufradaat Al-Qur’an 1/143

Infact Lane also quotes the same in his lexicon volume 2 p.345.[29] And before it he says that the basic meaning of Khid’a is to hide and conceal.

Conclusion: All three words, makr, kayd and khid’a are all in essence same and when used for Allah signify His getting the evil mongers unaware of the outcome of their deeds after they have stubbornly rejected the Truth. One thing is common in the usage of all these words with reference to Allah that they signify His planning for the good and against the evil i.e. punishment of the criminals. And as to the question about His taking them unaware without their reckoning it, the following two verses are enough for the understanding of the unprejudiced souls.

Sources: