In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah [The Most High] said:
قَدۡ مَڪَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ فَأَتَى ٱللَّهُ بُنۡيَـٰنَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡقَوَاعِدِ فَخَرَّ عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلسَّقۡفُ مِن فَوۡقِهِمۡ وَأَتَٮٰهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ
ثُمَّ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يُخۡزِيهِمۡ وَيَقُولُ أَيۡنَ شُرَڪَآءِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ كُنتُمۡ تُشَـٰٓقُّونَ فِيہِمۡ‌ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ إِنَّ ٱلۡخِزۡىَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَٱلسُّوٓءَ عَلَى ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِينَ

Those before them indeed plotted, but Allah struck at the foundation of their building, and then the roof fell down upon them, from above them, and the torment overtook them from directions they did not perceive. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them and will say: “Where are My (so-called) ‘partners’ concerning whom you used to disagree and dispute (with the believers, by defying and disobeying Allah)?” Those who have been given the knowledge (about the Torment of Allah for the disbelievers) will say: “Verily! Disgrace this Day and misery are upon the disbelievers. [Surah An-Nahl. Ayaat 26-27]

[قَدۡ مَڪَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ – Those before them indeed plotted]: Meaning, conspired against their Messengers, used various techniques to reject what the messengers conveyed, and initiated robust safeguards (by way of arguments, and opinions) around their plots.

[فَأَتَى ٱللَّهُ بُنۡيَـٰنَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡقَوَاعِدِ – but Allah struck at the foundation of their building]– Meaning, an affair came to them from its basis and foundation; [فَخَرَّ عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلسَّقۡفُ مِن فَوۡقِهِمۡ – and then the roof fell down upon them, from above them] – Meaning, as a result, what they constructed became a form of punishment for them. [وَأَتَٮٰهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ – and the torment overtook them from directions they did not perceive]: Meaning, that is because they thought that such a structure would benefit and protect them from punishment, yet their punishment came as a result of what they built and established.

This is one of the best parables about how Allah foils His enemies’ plots, because they pondered and reflected on what the Messengers brought when they belied them, made up principles and rules for it based on falsehood, and referred back to them to reject what the Messengers brought, utilised tricks to cause discomfort to the Messengers and harm to those who followed them, but their plot became a source of evil against them, so their plan became their destruction, since their plot was evil, as Allah stated: [ وَلَا يَحِيقُ الْمَكْرُ السَّيِّئُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلِهِ – But the evil plot encompasses only him who makes it]. [Surah Faatir: Ayah: 43]

This is in this life, and the punishment in the afterlife would be even more shameful, therefore Allah said: [ثُمَّ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يُخۡزِيهِمۡ – Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them]. (1)

Allah [The Exalted] said: [وَقَدۡ مَكَرُواْ مَڪۡرَهُمۡ – Indeed, they planned their plot, and their plot was with Allah]- Meaning, the nations of old and their schemes that were tantamount to Shirk, or those who plotted to murder the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). [وَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ مَڪۡرُهُمۡ – and their plot was with Allah]– Meaning, their plot has been recorded in order for Allah to punish them. [وَإِن كَانَ مَڪۡرُهُمۡ لِتَزُولَ مِنۡهُ ٱلۡجِبَالُ – though their plot was a great (one, still) it would never be able to remove the mountains]. Az-Zujaaj said, “Even if their plot was so severe that it could move a mountain, they would still be unable to put an end to Islam”. (2) “Even if their plot becomes powerful enough to move a mountain, Allah will nonetheless support the religion He has established”. (3)

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Tafseer as-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: Zaadul Maseer Fee Ilmit Tafseer. By Imaam Ibnul Jawzi]

[Ref 3: Fat-hul Qadeer. 3/160]