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
وَإِخْوَٰنُهُمْ يَمُدُّونَهُمْ فِى ٱلْغَىِّ ثُمَّ لَا يُقْصِرُونَ
But their brothers - they [i.e., the devils] increase them in error; then they do not stop short.
وَإِن تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰ لَا يَسْمَعُوا۟ ۖ وَتَرَىٰهُمْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَيْكَ وَهُمْ لَا يُبْصِرُونَ
And if you invite them to guidance, they do not hear; and you see them looking at you while they do not see.
وَقَالُوا۟ مَهْمَا تَأْتِنَا بِهِۦ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ لِّتَسْحَرَنَا بِهَا فَمَا نَحْنُ لَكَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ
And they said, "No matter what sign you bring us with which to bewitch us, we will not be believers in you."
وَقَطَّعْنَـٰهُمُ ٱثْنَتَىْ عَشْرَةَ أَسْبَاطًا أُمَمًا ۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱسْتَسْقَىٰهُ قَوْمُهُۥٓ أَنِ ٱضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلْحَجَرَ ۖ فَٱنۢبَجَسَتْ مِنْهُ ٱثْنَتَا عَشْرَةَ عَيْنًا ۖ قَدْ عَلِمَ كُلُّ أُنَاسٍ مَّشْرَبَهُمْ ۚ وَظَلَّلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْغَمَـٰمَ وَأَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْمَنَّ وَٱلسَّلْوَىٰ ۖ كُلُوا۟ مِن طَيِّبَـٰتِ مَا رَزَقْنَـٰكُمْ ۚ وَمَا ظَلَمُونَا وَلَـٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ
And We divided them into twelve descendant tribes [as distinct] nations. And We inspired to Moses when his people implored him for water, "Strike with your staff the stone," and there gushed forth from it twelve springs. Every people [i.e., tribe] knew its watering place. And We shaded them with clouds and sent down upon them manna and quails, [saying], "Eat from the good things with which We have provided you." And they wronged Us not, but they were [only] wronging themselves.