30 Preface وَإِذ يَمكُرُ بِكَ الَّذينَ كَفَروا لِيُثبِتوكَ أَو يَقتُلوكَ أَو يُخرِجوكَ ۚ وَيَمكُرونَ وَيَمكُرُ اللَّهُ ۖ وَاللَّهُ خَيرُ الماكِرينَYusuf AliRemember how the Unbelievers plotted against thee, to keep thee in bonds, or slay thee, or get thee out (of thy home).1 They plot and plan, and God too plans; but the best of planners1203-A### is God.The plots against Muṣṭafā in Mecca aimed at three things. They were not only foiled, but God’s underfill working turned the tables, and brought good out of evil in each case. (1) They tried to hold the Prophet in subjection in Mecca by putting pressure on his uncles, relatives, and friends. But the more they persecuted, the more the little Muslim community grew in faith and numbers. (2) They tried to injure or ay him. But the wonderful example of his humility, perseverance, and fearlessness furthered the cause of Islam. (3) They tried to get him and his followers out of their homes. But they found a new home in Medīna, from which they eventually reconquered not only Mecca, but Arabia and the world.