The Holy Quran 6:123 — Surah Al-An'am

Arabic text

وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَا فِى كُلِّ قَرْيَةٍ أَكَـٰبِرَ مُجْرِمِيهَا لِيَمْكُرُوا۟ فِيهَا ۖ وَمَا يَمْكُرُونَ إِلَّا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ

Translation

Thus (as We have made sinners the prominent people of Makkah and current ringleaders) We made the prominent ones in every town the sinners so that they may plot there (to stop others from accepting Imaan and to involve them in sin). They plot only against themselves (because they will be punished for it) but they do not realise (understand) this.

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

The schemes of the disbelievers turn against them: that is, it is not only the chiefs of Makkah today; the leaders of the disbelievers have always devised ploys so that the common people would not become obedient to the prophets. Just as Pharaoh, on seeing the miracle, devised the ploy that [Musa ﵇] wanted to seize the kingdom by the power of sorcery.

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