وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا تُفْسِدُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ 11
Translations
And when it is said to them, "Do not cause corruption on the earth," they say, "We are but reformers."
Transliteration
Wa-idha qeela lahum la tufsidu fee al-ard qalu innama nahnu muslihun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the hypocrisy (munafiqun) of those who, when commanded to cease spreading corruption on earth, claim they are only reformers and spreaders of good. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that this refers to the hypocrites of Medina who engaged in mischief—sowing discord, breaking covenants, and opposing the Prophet—yet denied their wrongdoing and falsely claimed their actions were corrective. Al-Qurtubi notes the irony: their denial of corruption while actively perpetrating it demonstrates the blindness of the hypocrite's heart and the contradiction between their deeds and words.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Baqarah's depiction of the three categories of people: believers, disbelievers (kafirun), and hypocrites (munafiqun). It specifically addresses the hypocrites of Medina during the early Medinan period who publicly professed Islam while secretly undermining the Muslim community. The broader context (ayat 8-20) outlines the characteristics of the munafiqun and their spiritual disease.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim reports the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying: 'The sign of the hypocrite is three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays.' This directly relates to the hypocrisy of claiming reform while spreading corruption.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah warns believers to be vigilant against self-deception and to align their actions with their words and intentions; it also teaches that truly reforming society requires sincere hearts and truthful actions, not merely claims of goodness.