Vocabulary

Makara (“to plot”): means to prevent another from their goal through deception, whether this action is praiseworthy, like the plotting of God: “And they plotted and God plotted, and God is the best of plotters” (3:54), or blameworthy, like many of the plots of humans(509) and Satan’s actions towards the believers: “We did not send before you any messenger or prophet but that when he recited [the scripture] Satan interjected [something] in his recitation. Thereat God nullifies whatever Satan has interjected, [and] then God confirms His signs, and God is All-knowing, All-wise.”(510) Indeed, no prophet was sent except that the devils tried to create barriers(511) between them and their goals and prevent them from achieving their objectives.

The point is that unlike the words “evil” (sayiʾa) and “transgression” (iʿtidāʾ) which inherently contain blame in their essence, the word “plot” (makr) does not inherently contain blame. Therefore, it can be attributed to God without any need for justification. Hence in supplication we say: “Do not plot against me in Your strategy”;(512) O God! Do not place a barrier between me and my goals. On the other hand, we ask God to place something between us and sin: “O God! Apportion for us from Your fear that which will come between us and disobedience to You”!(513)

Plot (makr) and scheme (kayd) are similar in meaning but not synonymous. Both cut off the premise from its conclusion; meaning they don’t allow the groundwork that others have laid to reach its intended goal, thus they are similar. However, in the word “scheme” (kayd) secrecy is also inherent, while this is not the case with “plot” (makr).