The verse that some people refer to is the following: “And they [i.e., the disbelievers] planned, but Allah planned. And Allah is the best of planners” (Quran 3:54). This verse is referring to the disbelieving Jews who plotted to kill and crucify Jesus AS, however, Allah was going to save Him. Christian missionaries and others try to translate this verse as “And they [i.e., the disbelievers] deceived, but Allah deceived. And Allah is the best of deceivers.” However, this translation does not exist at all! One can examine all of the numerous English translations of the Quran and not a single one of them uses the word deceit. The Arabic word “makr” used here means a scheme, a subtle or secret plan, or a plot, and it can be used negatively or positively. When the Jews tried to kill Jesus AS, that was evil, but when Allah thwarted their evil plan and saved Jesus, that was good. Therefore, Allah plotted against those who were plotting evil in the first place. So how can one claim that Allah is a deceiver for saving Jesus Christ AS and stopping the plot of the disbelievers? Even if the Jews were deceived, that doesn’t mean that Allah is a deceiver. Rather, this just means that Allah plotted against those who try to plot evil themselves and made their plan in vain. But since this verse is often brought up by Christians, it should be noted that in the Bible, there are numerous clear verses that talk about God deceiving people, such as in Jeremiah 4:10, 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, etc. Nevertheless, as one can see, deceit does not mean “makr” in this verse, and that is why this fabricated translation doesn’t even exist.
And Allah knows best.