The meaning of “Makr”: The literal meaning of “Makr” is devising and planning.  It can be good or evil[1] as well as it being capable for being for good or for evil. However, some believe “Makr” to mean tricking and when attributed to Allah, to refer to the punishment of tricking and deception.[2]

The “Makr of Allah”: When examining the verses in which the word “Makr” has been used,[3] we realize that the meaning of “Makr” is simply devising and planning and that it could be good or evil. For example in the verse “وَ یمکرون و یکمر اللَّه واللَّه خَیر الماکِرین”,[4] the word “یَمکُرُون” refers to the plotting of the Mushrikin (Pagans) that intended to kill the prophet or imprison him and the phrase “یَمکُرُ اللَّهُ” refers to Allah’s devising and commanding the prophet to immigrate. The very fact that the word “مکر” is used along with the adjective “السَّیِئّى” (evil) in the Quran[5] proves that “Makr” can be good or evil. Therefore, the many verses that attribute Makr to Allah refer to his supreme regulation and management of matters, because He is the true owner of all devising and there is no devising separate from his. As a result, Allah has supremacy over all planners[6], and the verse from Surah Ra’d[7] clearly states that Allah is the supreme deviser and that the plotting of others is nothing compared to His.[8]