وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَـٰحِهَا وَٱدْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا ۚ إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ 56
Translations
And cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allāh is near to the doers of good.
Transliteration
Wa la tufsidu fi al-ardi ba'da islahiha wa-d'uhu khawfan wa-tama'an. Inna rahmata Allahi qareebun mina al-muhsineen.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers to abstain from causing corruption on earth after it has been reformed, and to call upon Allah with both fear and hope—two complementary spiritual states. Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that this verse emphasizes environmental stewardship and the spiritual dimension of worship, as Allah's mercy is near to those who do good (al-muhsineen). The command to invoke Allah with fear (of His punishment) and hope (for His reward) represents the balanced emotional approach to devotion in Islam.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the middle section of Surah Al-A'raf, which was revealed in Mecca during the early period of Islam. It is part of a broader thematic unit addressing moral conduct and the consequences of human actions, following the mention of Prophet Salih and the people of Thamud who corrupted the earth despite receiving clear signs from Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever plants a tree, from it Allah will give him reward' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Also relevant is the hadith: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi), as good conduct (ihsan) encompasses all aspects of life including environmental responsibility.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims have a sacred responsibility to preserve and maintain the earth rather than corrupt it, understanding that their actions have consequences both in this life and the next. The cultivation of a balanced spiritual state—combining reverential fear of Allah with hopeful aspiration for His mercy—forms the foundation for righteous action and ethical conduct in all matters.
Related Ayahs
۞ قَالَ ٱلْمَلَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ مِن قَوْمِهِۦ لَنُخْرِجَنَّكَ يَـٰشُعَيْبُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَكَ مِن قَرْيَتِنَآ أَوْ لَتَعُودُنَّ فِى مِلَّتِنَا ۚ قَالَ أَوَلَوْ كُنَّا كَـٰرِهِينَ
Said the eminent ones who were arrogant among his people, "We will surely evict you, O Shuʿayb, and those who have believed with you from our city, or you must return to our religion." He said, "Even if we were unwilling?
إِنَّ وَلِـِّۧىَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ ۖ وَهُوَ يَتَوَلَّى ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
Indeed, my protector is Allāh, who has sent down the Book; and He is an ally to the righteous.
وَٱلْبَلَدُ ٱلطَّيِّبُ يَخْرُجُ نَبَاتُهُۥ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِۦ ۖ وَٱلَّذِى خَبُثَ لَا يَخْرُجُ إِلَّا نَكِدًا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نُصَرِّفُ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَشْكُرُونَ
And the good land - its vegetation emerges by permission of its Lord; but that which is bad - nothing emerges except sparsely, with difficulty. Thus do We diversify the signs for a people who are grateful.
وَأَمْطَرْنَا عَلَيْهِم مَّطَرًا ۖ فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
And We rained upon them a rain [of stones]. Then see how was the end of the criminals.