وَمَكَرُوا مَكْرًا كُبَّارًا (22)
(71:22) They contrived a plot of great magnitude. *16
*16) "Mighty plot": AlI those deceits, deceptions and frauds which the cheifs and religious guides were employing in an attempt to mislead the common people against the teachings of the Prophet Noah. For example, they said; "Noah is no more than a mere man like yourselves. How can one believe that AIIah sends down Revelations to him? (Al-A'raf: 63, Hud: 27). "We also see that only the meanest of us have become his followers without due thought. Had there been some weight in what he says, the elders of the people would have believed in him." (Hud: 27). "Had Allah willed, He would have sent down angels." (A1Mu'minun: 24). "Had he been sent by Allah, he would possess treasures, he would know the un-seen, and he would be free from all human needs, like the angels (Hud: 31). "We tied nothing in him that might give him superiority over us. " (Hud: 27). "He merely intends to obtain superiority over you. " (AlMu'minun: 24). "Obviously, this man is possessed." (AI-Mu'minun: 25). Similar were the things that the Quraish chiefs said to mislead the people against the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace).