Virtue remains distinct even when an era is filled with corruption

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, said:

قُل لَّا يَسْتَوِي الْخَبِيثُ وَالطَّيِّبُ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ كَثْرَةُ الْخَبِيثِ ۚ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

Say: “Not equal are Al-Khabith (all that is evil and bad as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.) and At-Taiyib (all that is good as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.), even though the abundance of Al-Khabith (evil) may please you.” So fear Allah much [(abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)], O men of understanding in order that you may be successful. [Al-Maa’idah 100]

“say” (O Muhammad) to mankind, warning against evil and desiring good; “not equal are all that is evil and bad and all that is good”. Iman is not equal to Kufr, obedience to (Allah and His Messenger) is not equal to disobedience to (Allah and His Messenger), the people of paradise are not equal to the people of hell fire, filthy deeds are not equal to good deeds, and unlawful wealth is not equal to lawful wealth.

وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ كَثْرَةُ الْخَبِيث

“Even though the abundance of Al-Khabeeth (evil) may please you (people)”.

Meaning, indeed, it will not benefit the person in anything, rather it will harm his religious and worldly affairs.

فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

So fear Allah much [abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)], O men of understanding in order that you may be successful]

An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan. Publisher: Daar Ibn Hazm’ 1st Edition 1424AH (Year 2003)