Allah, the great deceiver

What is wrong with God deceiving evildoers? Deceiving those deceivers? Read the verse and see whom God deceived.
And when those who misbelieve were crafty with thee to detain thee a prisoner, or kill thee, or drive thee forth; they were crafty, but God was crafty too, for God is best of crafty ones!

You cannot compare God to those evildoers. Because those evildoers are deceiving innocent people, while God is deceiving those evil doers in order to stop their evil plots.
Its like me saying that there are people who murder and kill people. These are bad people. However, can we also call God a blood thirsty murderer for taking the souls of people by sending natural disasters or by allowing people to get brutally murdered? Of course not. You can't compare. You cannot question God, even Sam Shamoun said so in his debate with Shabir Ally when he was asked about the very topic we are discussing now.
Sam Shamoun says in his debate with Shabir Ally, part 3, which can be downloaded here in the 16th minute, 35th second.
About deception that's a difficulty in Islamic scholarship and I cannot comment because I do believe that God is sovereign and can choose to use methods that to us seem to be unacceptable but it does not affect on his holiness so I have no problem with that Quranic statement
The difference is that Allah deceives for the purpose of good and not evil. Deception is usually associated with negative aspects, however Allah did not do so.
Allah did not deceive the whole world, the devil and the disbelievers of the past are deceiving you.
We have to look at the purpose at why God did what he did. Deception is always used in a negative way. So psychologically when we say the word 'deception' it comes to mind that it is negative. For example, if I say that someone lied then obviously we say that this is a bad thing. Lying is wrong. However, if someone lied in order to save his life for example, then it would be justifiable for that purpose and context. Especially, if he is lying to an enemy in war or someone who is trying to kill him. So certain acts, which could seem to be sinful could actually be justifiable at certain times.

Taken from http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=10138&dgn=4&ln=eng...

Does Islam permit deception in war? Is this considered to be betrayal and treachery?

Answer :
Praise be to Allaah.

Allaah has forbidden treachery and has condemned those who do it. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"They are those with whom you made a covenant, but they break their covenant every time and they do not fear Allaah"
[al-Anfaal 8:56]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Every betrayer will have a banner on the Day of Resurrection, by which he will be known." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6966; Muslim, 1736)
Al-Bukhaari narrated that Ibn ?Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: ?The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ?There are four characteristics, whoever has them all is a pure hypocrite: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise he breaks it; when he is entrusted with something he betrays that trust; and when he argues, he speaks in an obscene manner. Whoever has one of these traits has a trait of hypocrisy until he gives it up." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3878; Muslim, 58)
And it was narrated that Maalik said: "I heard that ?Abd-Allaah ibn ?Abbaas said: ?There is no people who betrays their covenant but Allaah gives their enemies power over them." (al-Muwatta', Baab ma jaa'a fi'l-wafa' bi'l-?ahd)
Yet despite this condemnation of betrayal, Islam allows deception in war in order to attain victory. Al-Nawawi said: "The scholars are agreed that it is permissible to deceive the kuffaar in war in any way possible, except if that would mean breaking the terms of a treaty or trust, in which case it is not permitted.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "War is deceit." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3029; Muslim, 58). One of the most dangerous elements of deceit is taking the enemy by surprise and catching them unawares before they can get ready to fight. When the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wanted to head for Makkah in order to conquer it, he ordered the Muslims to get ready without telling anyone of his intention until after they had set out for Makkah, and after taking all precautions to prevent news of that reaching the mushrikeen.
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to send out many raiding parties, and he would tell them to travel by night and conceal themselves by day so that they could catch the enemy unawares.
Although it is permissible to use deception in war, we say that Islam has attained a high standard of ethics with regard to the use of these tricks in war. Among the most prominent examples of that are the following:
?Umar ibn al-Khattaab wrote to the commander of an army that he had sent out: "I have heard that some men among you look for kaafirs, then when they run to hide in difficult mountainous terrain they say, ?Do not be afraid,' then when they catch up with them they kill them. By the one in whose hand is my soul, if I hear that anyone has done that I will chop off his head."
It was narrated that Abu Muslimah said: " ?Umar ibn al-Khattaab said: ?By the One in Whose hand is my soul, if any one of you were to point to the sky [i.e., a gesture to imply that he will not harm him] to make a mushrik come down to him and then kill him, I would kill him for that.'"
Islam has forbidden treachery, and treachery is not one of the kinds of tricks and deception that are permitted in war.
This Islamic sharee'ah makes a distinction between the kinds of deceit that are permitted and that which involves treachery and breaks treaties.
See al-?Allaaqaat al-Khaarijiyyah fi Dawlat al-Khilaafah, 197

If God really aided the Mohammedans with three thousand angels in the past, why does He not help them now that their rule (in India and other countries) has greatly declined and is still declining?
The answer is simple and in the Quran. Allah has given a criteria for this help. A person must be a believer, must have done or be doing good deeds, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is evil, giving Zakaat and having no fear of the opposition. If this criteria is met, then no matter how strong the enemy may be, they will be defeated.
"And help us against the unbelieving people. But God is your real Lord, and He is the best of helpers. And if ye shall be slain or die on the path of God." (3: 111, 141, 142, 151.)
The context needs to be seen for this verse. Help from God is required against the unbelievers who were oppressing the innocent Muslims. Is there anything wrong with asking from God against those who disbelieve in God, who abuse Him and oppress the believers of God?
"Nor is God minded to lay open the secret thing to you but God chooseth what he will of his apostles to know them. Believe therefore, in God and his apostles." (3:174)
Why does this verse inculcate faith in Mohammad along with that in God, when the Mohammedans process to believe in none but God, and hold that none is worthy of sharing homage with Him?
This verse is a clear refutation to false beliefs like those of Hindus such as in stars or horoscopes and devil worship etc. Whatever is the hidden truth is with god and God gives some of it to the Prophets as He wills. Knowledge of the unseen is hidden and Prophets are appointed people by god and they forward this message to their people. It is as simple as that!