Title: Is God a "Plotter"? Question: One of the objections raised by Ibn Warraq ( http://www.secularhumanism.org/wtc.htm ) is that in Al-Anfaal 8: 30, the Qur'an refers to God as a "Plotter". Please explain the referred verse of the Qur'an. Nexus Answer: This objection is an evidence of a poor literary taste of the objector. There are two basic principles, which have been ignored in the interpretation of the referred verse and in the subsequent objection raised by the writer. These two principles are briefly explained below: Firstly, in most of the languages of the world, especially in the Eastern languages, including Hebrew and Arabic, the meaning and implication of the words is not static. This meaning is altered by a change in the subject. The same word may have a negative connotation when used in one environment, but a positive connotation, when used in another. To understand this phenomena, consider the following verses of the Old Testament: Though they intended evil against You And devised a plot, They will not succeed. (Psalms 21: 11) The phrase 'devised a plot' in this verse has been variously translated as: 'imagined a mischievous device' as in King James Version; 'conceived a device', as in American Standard Version; 'had an evil design in their minds', as in Bible in Basic English; 'imagined a wicked thing', as in Modern King James Version; 'devised a plot', as in New King James Version; 'devise mischief', as in Revised Standard Version; 'plotted evil', as in World English Bible; 'devised a wicked device', as in Young's Literal Translation; It should be noted that according to the Strong's Concordance, the Hebrew word used for this phrase is: m@zimmah , mez-im-maw' All the cited translations convey more or less the same meaning. The referred word, over here is used in a negative connotation. However, the same word occurs in the following verses of the Old Testament: Discretion [1] will guard you, Understanding will watch over you. (Proverbs 2: 11) The anger of the LORD will not turn back Until He has performed and carried out the purposes of His heart [2] ; In the last days you will clearly understand it. (Jeremiah 23: 20) The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back Until He has performed and until He has accomplished The intent of His heart [3] ; In the latter days you will understand this. (Jeremiah 30: 24) Sharpen the arrows, fill the quivers! The LORD has aroused the spirit of the kings of the Medes, Because His purpose [4] is against Babylon to destroy it; For it is the vengeance of the LORD, vengeance for His temple. (Jeremiah 51: 11) Secondly, in the Arabic language, sometimes a word is used in a sentence to imply reciprocation or retaliation, rather than absolute behavior. This style is quite common in Arabic. One of the Arabic poets says: If translated literally, the verse would be translated as: "[When] nothing was left [between us] except enmity, we retaliated against them, as they had retaliated against us". However, a more accurate translation of the poetic verse would be: "When nothing was left between us except enmity, we retaliate against them for their transgressions." Keeping the stated principles in perspective, it should be clear that the style of the referred verse is actually retaliatory. It is quite obvious that God does not need to 'plot' or 'devise plans' or carry out His unfulfilled 'desires' etc. The referred verse only tells us in a literary style that those, who have stupidity to 'plot' against the messenger of God, they themselves become a target of God's 'plans' against His enemies. The Arabic word, implying 'to plot' has been used in this verse to convey the sense or retaliation and punishment for the acts of the 'plotters' against the Prophet of God. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad October 12, 2001 [1] Over here, the same Hebrew word is used in a positive connotation. Thus, over here the same word is tranlated as 'Discretion' by the King James Version, American Standard Version, Darby's Translation, New King James Version, Revised Standard Version and World English Bible; 'Wise Purposes' by the Bible in Basic English; 'Judgment', by the Modern King James Version; and 'Thoughtfulness' by Young's Literal Translation. [2] Over here, the same Hebrew word is used for God. Thus, it has been alternatively translated as: 'thoughts of His heart' by King James Version, New King James Version and Young's Literal Translation, 'intents of His heart', by American Standard Version and World English Bible; 'purposes of His heart' by Bible in Basic English, Darby's Translation and Modern King James Version; and 'Intent of His Mind' by Modern King James Version. [3] The same Hebrew word is used once again for God and is, therefore, clear of any negative connotation. [4] Once again the word is used for God and because of that entails a positive connotation.