Some Traits of Corrupters, The Righteous and Righteous Reformers

October 19, 2026 | Abdullah Jallow | Basics, Contemporary Issues, Da’wah – Calling To Islam, Featured, Methodology – ‘Manhaj’, Morals and Manners – ‘Akhlaaq’, Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur’aan, Scholars of Islam, Worship – ‘Ibaadah’

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا تُفْسِدُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ

أَلَآ إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلَٰكِن لَّا يَشْعُرُونَ

And when it is said to them, “Do not cause corruption on the earth (through your disbelief, sin, treachery, and sedition against those who believe),” they say, “Indeed, we are but reformers (who rectify and make peace).” Indeed, they are the ones who are the mischief-makers (in reality), but they perceive this not (due to their ignorance, disbelief, and arrogance). [1]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

First, they are declared as liars in their claim. Secondly, a notification that they are corrupt. Thirdly, attributed to the root of corruption with the confirmation of their true nature as corrupt individuals. Finally, declared as very ignorant, signifying their complete lack of self-awareness regarding their corrupt behaviour. [2]

Allah said:

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُعۡجِبُكَ قَوۡلُهُ ۥ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَيُشۡهِدُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا فِى قَلۡبِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَلَدُّ ٱلۡخِصَامِ

وَإِذَا تَوَلَّىٰ سَعَىٰ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ لِيُفۡسِدَ فِيهَا وَيُهۡلِكَ ٱلۡحَرۡثَ وَٱلنَّسۡلَ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡفَسَادَ

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُ ٱتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ أَخَذَتۡهُ ٱلۡعِزَّةُ بِٱلۡإِثۡمِ‌ۚ فَحَسۡبُهُ ۥ جَهَنَّمُ‌ۚ وَلَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمِهَادُ

And of mankind there is he whose speech may please you (O Muhammad), in this worldly life, and he calls Allah to witness as to that which is in his heart, yet he is the most quarrelsome of the opponents. And when he turns away, his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the cattle, and Allah likes not mischief. And when it is said to him, “Fear Allah”, he is led by arrogance to (more) crime. So enough for him is Hell, and worst indeed is that place to rest! [Al-Baqarah. 204-206]

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُعۡجِبُكَ قَوۡلُهُ ۥ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا

And of mankind there is he whose speech may please you in this worldly life.

Meaning, the one who hears his speech is pleased when he speaks and he thinks that he has uttered beneficial speech. He emphasises what he says:

وَيُشۡهِدُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا فِى قَلۡبِهِ

And he calls Allah to witness as to that which is in his heart.

Meaning, he states that Allah knows that what is in his heart agrees with what he says, even though he is lying regarding what he says because his speech contradicts his deeds. His speech would have agreed with his deeds had he been truthful, because this the case regarding the believers- those who are not hypocrites. And due to this Allah said:

وَهُوَ أَلَدُّ ٱلۡخِصَامِ

Yet he is the most quarrelsome of the opponents.

Meaning, when you disagree with him, you’ll find him to be the most quarrelsome, bigoted and difficult person to deal with, as well as the ugly characteristics that results from this behaviour, which are the opposite of the manners of the believers- those who make ease their way, submit to the truth and pardon people.

And when he turns away, his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the cattle, and Allah does not like mischief.

Meaning, when this person – the one whose speech amazes you – is not in your presence, he strives to commit sins which is tantamount to corruption in the earth, so cattle and crops are destroyed as a result of that corruption. The blessings in the vegetations, fruits and livestock decrease and become little due to evil deeds.

وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡفَسَادَ

And Allah does not like mischief.

Meaning, when it is the case that Allah does not like corruption, then He has an intense hatred for the person who sows corruption in the earth, even if such a person utters a good speech merely on the tongue (i.e. says one thing and does something else).

This verse contains proof regarding the fact that the statements uttered by individuals is not a proof regarding their truthfulness or whether they are upon falsehood, neither that they are righteous nor wicked until deeds ascertain them. And it is obligatory to examine the condition of those who bear witness, the one who is in the right and the falsifier amongst the people based on the righteousness of their deeds – examine the clear indications and their behaviour, and not to be deceived by how they portray themselves and the praise they give themselves. Then Allah mentioned that when this person – the one who causes corruption in the earth through acts of disobedience to Allah – is commanded to fear Allah, he becomes arrogant and haughty:

أَخَذَتۡهُ ٱلۡعِزَّةُ بِٱلۡإِثۡمِ‌ۚ

He is led by arrogance to (more) crime.

Thus, he combines disobedience to Allah and being arrogant towards the sincere advisers. [3]

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allāh have mercy upon him, was asked:

We know the distinction between (the terms) Ṣāliḥ (righteous) and Muṣliḥ (righteous) reformer). But is it justified (allowed) for a person to be righteous without being a (righteous) reformer? And is there any way for Ahl al-Bidʿah to exploit this distinction?

Response: This is a matter of terminology.

Allah said concerning the hypocrites:

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ ۝ أَلَا إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلَٰكِنْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

And when it is said to them, “Do not cause corruption on the earth (through your disbelief, sin, treachery and sedition against those who believe),” they say, “Indeed, we are but reformers (who rectify and make peace).” Indeed, they are the ones who are the mischief-makers (in reality), but they perceive this not (due to their ignorance, disbelief and arrogance).” (Al-Baqarah 2:11–12)

Therefore, the term muṣliḥ (reformer) comes from iṣlāḥ (reformation), which is the opposite of causing corruption. [Meaning (i.e. their claim when they claim reformation)]: “You think that we are causing corruption, whereas we are actually bringing about reform.”

As for a Ṣāliḥ (righteous person), he is righteous in himself. His goodness may extend to others, in which case he brings about reform, or his goodness may be limited to himself because of his weakness.

“The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, and there is good in both.”

“Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand. If he is unable to do so, then with his tongue. If he is unable to do so, then with his heart, and that is the weakest level of Iman.”

So, the person who changes evil with his hand or with his tongue may be counted among those who bring about reform. As for the person who denounces evil in his heart, he may be righteous, yet unable to bring about reform. [4]

[1]https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/verse/2/11 https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/verse/2/12

[2] Bada’i at-Tafseer 1/97

[3] An Excerpt from Tafsir As-Sadi

[4]https://rabee.net/alfatawi/%D9%86%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%82%D9%88%D9%84%D9%83-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD-%D9%88%D9%85%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%AD-%D9%88%D9%84%D9%83%D9%86-%D9%87%D9%84-%D9%8A/ paraphrase