﴿ وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَا فِى كُلِّ قَرْيَةٍ أَكَٰبِرَ مُجْرِمِيهَا لِيَمْكُرُوا۟ فِيهَا ۖ وَمَا يَمْكُرُونَ إِلَّا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ ﴾

“And it is in this way that We cause the great ones in every land to become its [greatest] evildoers, there to weave their schemes: yet it is only against themselves that they scheme -and they perceive it not.”

(And thus have We made in every city great ones of its wicked ones) their leaders, tyrants and wealthy citizens, as We made in the city of Mecca those who sneer and their friend, Abu Jahl and his folk, (that they should plot therein) that they should engage in transgression and corruption; it is also said that this means: so that they deny therein the prophets. (They do but plot against themselves) He says: the punishment and ruination of the transgressions and corruption they commit will be to their detriment, (though they perceive not) this.