ٱلَّذِينَ يُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا يُصْلِحُونَ 152
Translations
Who cause corruption in the land and do not amend."
Transliteration
Alladhīna yufsidūna fī al-ard wa lā yuslihūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes those who spread corruption and mischief on earth while making no effort to reform or improve conditions. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that this refers to those who reject divine guidance and engage in destructive practices—whether through oppression, denial of truth, or moral degradation. The ayah emphasizes the grave sin of corruption (fasād) when coupled with the complete absence of righteous works (islāh), making such individuals doubly blameworthy in the sight of Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ash-Shu'ara (Meccan chapter 26), which addresses the disbelievers of Quraysh and earlier nations who rejected their prophets. Verse 152 specifically refers to the people of 'Ād who were described as spreaders of corruption, connecting to the broader narrative of how destructive societies are warned and eventually destroyed for their moral decay.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever strives to reform (islāh) between people will enter Paradise' (Sunan Ibn Mājah). Conversely, he warned: 'The best of you are those who benefit others, and the worst of you are those who cause corruption' (Al-Mu'jam al-Awsat).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that mere avoidance of active harm is insufficient—we are called to actively work toward reform, justice, and improvement in our communities. Inaction in the face of widespread corruption is itself a form of complicity; true faith demands both abstaining from evil and actively promoting good.
Related Ayahs
وَتَتَّخِذُونَ مَصَانِعَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَخْلُدُونَ
And take for yourselves constructions [i.e., palaces and fortresses] that you might abide eternally?
۞ قَالُوٓا۟ أَنُؤْمِنُ لَكَ وَٱتَّبَعَكَ ٱلْأَرْذَلُونَ
They said, "Should we believe you while you are followed by the lowest [class of people]?"
كَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
The people of Noah denied the messengers
فَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنِ ٱضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلْبَحْرَ ۖ فَٱنفَلَقَ فَكَانَ كُلُّ فِرْقٍ كَٱلطَّوْدِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
Then We inspired to Moses, "Strike with your staff the sea," and it parted, and each portion was like a great towering mountain.