THE “MEKR” OF ALLAH: DIVINE STRATEGY AND THE BALANCE OF JUSTICE IN THE QUR’AN

THE “MEKR” OF ALLAH: DIVINE STRATEGY AND THE BALANCE OF JUSTICE IN THE QUR’AN

This study explores the concept of mekr (strategic plotting or scheming) attributed to Allah in the Qur’an, analyzing its linguistic roots, contextual usage, and symbolic/metaphorical dimensions. Based primarily on the interpretation of Āl ʿImrān 3:54, it argues that divine mekr is not immoral trickery but a strategic manifestation of justice in response to oppressive human schemes.

As a hidden yet effective aspect of divine justice, this concept reveals Allah not merely as a punisher, but as the one who causes unjust schemes to collapse from within.

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1. Introduction

The Qur’an occasionally attributes seemingly surprising qualities to Allah—qualities that, at first glance, appear incompatible with His divine majesty. One such concept is mekr (مكر).

Usually translated into Turkish and English as “plotting” or “scheming,” this term carries negative connotations when applied to humans. However, the Qur’an uses it for Allah as well, necessitating a reconsideration of both its semantic field and symbolic implications.

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2. Linguistic and Qur’anic Origins of the Term Mekr

In Arabic, the word mekr refers to:

• Planning ahead,

• Acting with strategic foresight,

• Mental schemes that unfold gradually over time.

It appears in approximately 14 verses of the Qur’an, often to describe the secretive and unjust plots of oppressors.

Examples:

• “They plotted, and Allah plotted; and Allah is the best of plotters.” (Āl ʿImrān 3:54)

• “Those before them also schemed, but the entire plan belongs to Allah.” (Raʿd 13:42)

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3. What Does Mekr Mean When Attributed to Allah?

When ascribed to Allah, mekr does not carry the meaning of deception or malevolence as it does for humans. Instead, it refers to a precise and just divine response. Key characteristics of divine mekr include:

• Counter-strategic justice: It addresses the hidden motives of wrongdoers.

• Divine chessboard: The oppressor seals their own fate through their own scheming.

• Deferred accountability: Allah’s plan may not be immediate but is certain and inescapable.

• Moral justice: The punishment unfolds through the perpetrator’s own actions.

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4. Symbolic and Metaphorical Interpretation: Mekr as Strategic Justice

Divine mekr should not be reduced to a simple act of punishment. It is a system wherein the wrongdoer becomes the architect of their own downfall. In this framework, Qur’anic mekr represents:

• Conscious strategies against oppression,

• Invisible forces of truth and conscience,

• The principle of becoming a victim of one’s own deeds.

Mekr, in this light, is the silent, unseen, yet all-encompassing manifestation of divine justice.

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5. A Theological Problem or a Subtle Form of Justice?

Some may view divine mekr as a problematic or anthropomorphic attribution. However, within the Qur’anic framework:

• It does not contradict the principle of divine transcendence (tanzīh).

• Mekr is not an act of injustice, but a strategy against injustice.

• It does not enable the oppressor but disarms them through their own mechanisms.

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6. Conclusion

Allah’s mekr reveals that divine justice is not limited to direct punishment but also operates through strategic, indirect, and metaphorical channels. This highlights the Qur’an’s profound understanding of justice as a delayed but exact response that unfolds across time.

Allah’s “plotting” is, in fact, the counter-plot of truth against the deceit of injustice—and it stands as one of the most awe-inspiring forms of divine justice.