“And when it is said to them [hypocrites], “Do not cause corruption on the earth,” they say, “We are but reformers.” Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not.”
Verse 11 indicates the importance of objecting to evil. Each muslim must object to evil according to knowledge and the correct manners. If one fears further harm being caused by objecting to the evil of others then they should at least hate the evil thing in their heart. Otherwise, they must object to evil verbally or physically according to their strength. These levels have been discussed in a Hadith found in Sunan Abu Dawud, number 4340. It is important to note that objecting to evil physically does not mean one should fight, as this will further the corruption in the society. Instead, they must take practical steps to minimize and eliminate the corruption through peaceful ways. A muslim must never believe that it is acceptable to ignore the evil of others as long as they themself sincerely obey Allah, the Exalted. A rotten apple will infect others until the whole society is engulfed in evil. One should advise others to do good and warn them against evil and remain steadfast on the sincere obedience of Allah, the Exalted, which involves using the blessings they have been granted in ways pleasing to Him, as outlined in the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Only then will one be safe from the negative effects of the evil actions of others. Chapter 7 Al A’raf, verse 164:
“And when a community among them said, “Why do you advise [or warn] a people whom Allāh is [about] to destroy or to punish with a severe punishment?” they [the advisors] said, “To be absolved before your Lord and perhaps they may fear Him.””
Another aspect of hypocrisy is mentioned in these verses namely, spreading corruption. When one adopts a hypocritical attitude whereby their internal being is opposed to their external actions it will always lead to problems for them and others. For example, the two-faced person adapts their speech and actions in order to please different people. As a result of their hypocritical attitude, they will only cause problems for themself and others, as the majority of the things they say and do are based on lies and deception.
A hypocrite may wrongfully believe they are bringing people together and causing reconciliation by adopting a two-faced attitude but as their intention is based on worldly gain, such as wealth and honour, their behaviour leads to corruption not reformation. In addition, the hypocrite will easily compromise on the truth and what is right for the sake of worldly gain and as a result, they will wrongfully believe that by compromising on the truth they are benefiting others. But as falsehood always leads to trouble, their attitude only causes the spread of corruption within society. The hypocrites in the time of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, desired to reconcile things between the muslims and the non-muslims of Mecca by compromising on the truth and justice while believing they were reforming things, even though their attitude would only lead to more injustice and corruption spreading within society. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verses 11-12:
“And when it is said to them [hypocrites], “Do not cause corruption on the earth,” they say, “We are but reformers.” Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not.”
In addition, from these verses one can understand that if they desire reformation within society they must adhere to the teachings of Islam, as Allah, the Exalted, alone knows what will benefit society in the short and long term and what will not. When people make choices based on their short sightedness, lack of knowledge and natural biases, they will only cause corruption to spread within society, even if they desire to reform it. Chapter 38 Saad, verse 26:
“…so judge between the people in truth and do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allāh…”
It is also important to note that a person must combine a good intention, which is to reform relationships within society, with the correct actions. One without the other is not good enough. Sometimes, muslims who desire to reform their relationship with others will possess a good intention yet due to ignorance of Islamic knowledge and behaviour they will only cause further problems. Therefore, it is important for muslims to learn and act on the teachings of the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, so that they couple their good intention with the correct actions and therefore cause reformation within society instead of spreading corruption.
A similar attitude which causes corruption and disunity to spread within society, especially families, is often found in those who genuinely desire to create unity within their family but due to ignorance and the negative characteristics they possess, they only cause corruption and disunity within their family. For example, many elders speak negatively about their relatives in front of their family, such as their children. As a result, their family, such as their children, harbor negative feelings about their relatives, even if they barely know them. With the passing of time, these feelings lead to fractured and broken relationships. It is strange how the very elders who cause separation between their relatives then moan about the disunity within their family. This attitude must be avoided by only speaking about others in a positive way, which has been advised in a Hadith found in Sunan Abu Dawud, number 4860, and by learning and acting on Islamic knowledge so that one becomes a source of unity within society, not a source disunity and corruption.
In addition, if one cannot be a source of unity amongst people, then the least they can do is avoid becoming a source of corruption and disunity within society. It is far better to take a neutral stance whereby one does not hinder nor benefit society than becoming a source of corruption and disunity for them. Behaving in this manner, whereby one keeps their verbal and physical harm away from others, is actually an act of charity one does to themself, according to a Hadith found in Sahih Muslim, number 250.
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verses 11-12:
“And when it is said to them [hypocrites], “Do not cause corruption on the earth,” they say, “We are but reformers.” Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not.”
As the hypocrites tried to hinder the spread of Islam, they were indirectly spreading corruption within society. This indicates that a society can never obtain peace and justice without implementing the teachings of Islam. This is because the fear of Allah, the Exalted, will always prevent wrongdoing even when the law cannot prevent it. For example, it is the fear of Allah, the Exalted, that prevents a person wronging another, especially when they believe they can escape the police. Without the fear of Allah, the Exalted, a person will take the opportunity to wrong others and commit crimes as long as they believe they can escape the law. This lack of the fear of Allah, the Exalted, will always cause corruption and injustice to spread in society. Therefore, by hindering the spread of Islam, the hypocrites in the time of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and those found in the modern era are only spreading injustice and corruption within society. Therefore, muslims must strive to implement the teachings of Islam so that they play their role of spreading justice and peace within society, even if they cannot influence society on a national level.
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 12:
“Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not.”
This verse warns against adopting a blind and ignorant attitude whereby one fails to observe and understand the consequences of their actions. The one who fails to learn the consequences of their actions, through Islamic knowledge and by observing the actions and consequences of others, will eventually reach a level whereby they do evil yet believe they are spreading goodness in society. This person will face the punishment of their persistent disobedience in this world but due to their ignorance they will fail to connect their disobedience to their constant stress, anxiety and mental problems. Chapter 35 Fatir, verse 43:
“…but the evil plot does not encompass except its own people. Then do they await except the way [i.e., fate] of the former peoples?…”
If they fail to repent, what they will encounter in the hereafter will be far worse. Chapter 20 Taha, verses 124-126:
“And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a depressed [i.e., difficult] life, and We will gather [i.e., raise] him on the Day of Resurrection blind.” He will say, “My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was [once] seeing?” [Allāh] will say, “Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot [i.e., disregarded] them; and thus will you this Day be forgotten.””
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