The Instances of Fasād fi’l-Arḍ (Corruption on Earth): A Research Study in the Light of Islamic Exegetical Literature

فساد فی الارض کے مصداقات کا اسلامی تفسیری ادب کی روشنی میں ایک تحقیقی مطالعہ

Abstract

This research paper titled “Instances of Fasād fil-Arḍ (Corruption on Earth): An Analytical Study in the Light of Islamic Tafsīr Literature” presents an interpretive and analytical study of the Qur’ānic concept of Fasād fil-Arḍ. Linguistically, the term fasād denotes deviation or deterioration from balance and benefit, while ṣalāḥ represents rectitude, justice, and harmony. In the Qur’ān, fasād encompasses corruption in belief, morality, social order, politics, and economy. Drawing upon the interpretations of leading exegetes such as Al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Abī Ḥātim, Al-Māturīdī, Al-Samarqandī, Al-Rāzī, Al-Qurṭubī, Ibn Kathīr, Al-Ālūsī, Rashīd Riḍā, and Ibn ʿĀshūr رحمہم اللہ , the study concludes that Fasād fil-Arḍ includes disbelief after faith, shirk, hypocrisy, oppression, rebellion, highway robbery, unjust killing, moral decay, social disorder, and the collapse of justice and peace. The research employs a descriptive and analytical methodology, relying primarily on the Qur’ān and classical as well as modern tafsīr works such as those of Al-Ṭabarī, Al-Rāzī, Al-Qurṭubī, Ibn Kathīr, Al-Ālūsī, Rashīd Riḍā, and Ibn ʿĀshūr. Comparative and linguistic analysis has been applied to extract a comprehensive understanding of the term and its contextual implications. The findings reveal that Fasād fil-Arḍ is a broad Qur’ānic concept encompassing every act or system that disturbs the divine order of justice, balance, and goodness on earth, whereas Ṣalāḥ fil-Arḍ signifies the restoration of faith, righteousness, and social harmony, reflecting that corruption and reform extend beyond individual conduct to the collective moral and civilizational framework of humanity.