Fasad

Fasad refers to "corruption," "mischief," or "spreading disorder" on the earth. In Islamic theology and law, it is a broad term encompassing anything that destabilizes the social, moral, or environmental order. The Quran strongly condemns those who "spread Fasad," contrasting them with those who perform "Islah" (reform or making things right). It includes acts like environmental destruction, political tyranny, and moral decay.

The Quran warns: "And do not spread corruption (fasad) on the earth after it has been set in order" (7:56). This verse indicates that creation has a natural order (mizan) that humans are commanded to maintain, not disrupt. Fasad is the opposite of islah (reform). The Quran contrasts the two: "And when it is said to them, 'Do not spread corruption on the earth,' they say, 'We are only reformers.' Unquestionably, they are the corrupters, but they do not realize" (2:11-12).

Fasad can take many forms: environmental corruption; social corruption,injustice, exploitation, oppression; moral corruption,promoting vice, undermining family; economic corruption,fraud, bribery, monopolies, usury (riba); political corruption,tyranny, misuse of power; and spiritual corruption,shirk, hypocrisy, turning away from guidance. The Pharaoh is described in the Quran as one who spread fasad because he exalted himself and oppressed the people.

The believer is called to be a reformer (muslih), not a corrupter (mufsid). The Quran says: "And do good as Allah has done good to you. And do not seek corruption (fasad) in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters" (28:77). In modern contexts, fasad includes environmental destruction and economic exploitation. Combating fasad requires both individual and collective action. The believer strives to leave the world better than they found it, to be a source of reform (islah) and mercy (rahmah).