Allah, the Best Deceiver (Qur'an 3:54): Difference between revisions

The [[Qur'an]] openly states many times that [[Allah]] is the 'best planner'. The root word used in these verses is ''Makr'' which means ''deception''. The literal translations presented here, referenced from a Muslim [[websites|website]], make this very clear. However, the majority of Qur'anic translations [[Mistranslated Verses|erroneously translate]] this term; as can be seen in the following quotes and analysis.

Although there are many places in the Qur'an that use the same word (makir) in reference to Allah<ref>[http://www.irreduciblefifth.force9.co.uk/burhan/b.x.311.htm Quran root browser - م ك ر - m-k-r]</ref>  this article will focus only on the verses in which Allah describes himself as the 'best planner'.

In the following Qur'an verses, Allah reveals to us that he is the "best planner".

'''Literal:''' And they planned and God planned, and God (is) the best (of) the planner.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://iknowledge.islamicnature.com/quran/surah/3/lang/englishliteral/|2=2011-08-25}} 3. Ali-Imran - The Family Of 'Imran (سورة آل عمران) - Revealed in Madinah (English: Literal)] - IslamicNature, accessed August 25, 2011</ref>}}

'''Literal:''' And when those who disbelieved deceive/scheme at you to affix/affirm you, or kill you, or bring you out, and they scheme/deceive , and God deceives/schemes and God (is) best (of) the planner.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://iknowledge.islamicnature.com/quran/surah/8/lang/englishliteral/|2=2011-08-25}} 8. Al-Anfal - Spoils Of War (سورة الأنفال) - Revealed in Madinah (English: Literal)] - IslamicNature, accessed August 25, 2011</ref>}}

While claims from Muslims such as 'you're taking it out of context' are usually not legitimate, on the face of this apologetic claim it appears to have merit. Given the context of the verses provided in the above article, it is clear that they discuss Allah deceiving his (perceived) enemies only. However, what the verses also contain is a definitive statement from Allah - ''Allah is the best planner''. It does not state "Allah is better at deceiving than his enemies" Therefore, in these verses, we have the (supposedly) omniscient (all-knowing) being Allah, telling us outright that he is the best planner. Being all-knowing, he would be aware of anyone higher at deception than he is.  

If someone who is all-knowing tells you he is the best planner, and you accept this (as Muslims) how can you say that you trust him not to deceive you as well? After all, since he is the self-admitted 'best' at deception, if he chose to deceive you, it would be highly unlikely that you would be able to detect such a deception if you are using solely his words as a guide to your life. Who's to say he is being truthful about anything else in the Qur'an? Even if he says he is being truthful to you, you already know that you cannot trust him because he has already admitted to being the 'best planner' - it could be another deception.

* [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.answering-islam.org/Shamoun/allah_best_planner.htm|2=2011-11-24}} Allah the greatest plannerof them all]  

* [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.answering-islam.org/authors/cornelius/makr.html|2=2011-11-24}} Allah: Truthful or planner?]