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wa-ʾidhā ʾadhaqnā n-nāsa raḥmatan min baʿdi ḍarrāʾa massathum ʾidhā lahum makrun fī ʾāyātinā quli llāhu ʾasraʿu makran ʾinna rusulanā yaktubūna mā tamkurūna
When We let people taste [Our] mercy after a distress that has befallen them, behold, they scheme against Our signs! Say, ‘Allah is more swift at devising.’ Indeed Our messengers write down what you scheme.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah Yunus – Verse 21
21. “And when We make mankind taste of (Our) mercy after adversity hath touched them, behold! they have a device concerning Our Signs! Say: ‘Allah is quicker at devising. Verily, Our messengers record what you devise’.””
The previous verse alluded to the pretexts of those who used to ask why no new signs were revealed. Here Allah refers to their obstinacy and to the fact that they played dirty tricks after a new verse was revealed instead of appreciating it. The verse says:
“And when We make mankind taste of (Our) mercy after adversity hath touched them, behold! they have a device concerning Our Signs!...”
As for the occasion of revelation of this verse, it has been said that there occurred a drought and famine in Mecca. The Almighty (s.w.t.) made it rain for the blessing of His Prophet (S). The polytheists claimed, however, that the reason for the rain was because of the idols. 1 One of the measures and tricky devices employed by his enemies was character assassination of the Prophet (S), ridiculing the divine verses, and degrading the blessings of Allah.
At any rate, man misuses God-given blessings and makes mischief instead of giving thanks and we must know that he who plays dirty tricks, will ultimately be involved with the device and the punishment of Allah. The verse says:
“…Say: ‘Allah is quicker at devising...”
Then, He warns them not to think that such conspiracies and plans will be forgotten. His messengers, (that is, His angels responsible for recording human actions) will take note of all those plans which disbelievers arrange for extinguishing the light of the truth. And they must prepare themselves for the Judgment and the punishment in the world here-after. The verse says:
“…Verily, Our messengers record what you devise’.”
Footnotes