The Quran

استِكبارًا فِي الأَرضِ وَمَكرَ السَّيِّئِ ۚ وَلا يَحيقُ المَكرُ السَّيِّئُ إِلّا بِأَهلِهِ ۚ فَهَل يَنظُرونَ إِلّا سُنَّتَ الأَوَّلينَ ۚ فَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ اللَّهِ تَبديلًا ۖ وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ اللَّهِ تَحويلًا

Ali Unal

Growing in arrogance in the land and devising evil schemes. But an evil scheme overwhelms none but its own authors. So, can they expect anything other than the pattern of (events and outcomes that overtook) the people of old times (whom God destroyed)? You will never find in God’s way any change; you will never find in God’s way any alteration.¹

This means that the way in which God treats people in return for following the same path is evident. God never makes a mistake, never forgets, is never neglectful, and never can be bribed; He always does what is true and wise. His decree can never be turned away from its goal, nor postponed, nor evaded. His way is always straight (11: 56).