The Holy Qur'an, like a guiding light, illuminates the path of prosperity and salvation for human societies and, by elucidating fundamental concepts, opens the way for legality and justice before humanity. Among these, the concepts of immorality (fisq), corruption (fasad), and social decline serve as formidable obstacles that prevent the realisation of an ideal and just society. This treatise, through reflection upon the radiant verses of the Holy Qur'an and the utilisation of profound analyses, examines these concepts and their impacts on the Islamic community. The objective is to provide a comprehensive perspective on these challenges and to explicate Qur'anic solutions for emerging from decline towards justice and restoration.
Immorality, signifying departure from the path of truth and divine law, is among the most pivotal Qur'anic concepts in analysing social decline. This notion, like an arrow released from a bow missing its target, indicates the deviation of human beings from divine rules and ordinances.
Immorality, in the Qur'anic sense, refers to arbitrariness and rejection of religious structures. This behaviour, whether at the individual level by disobedience of commandments or at the social level by neglect of oversight and legality, results in the destruction of the social system.
And indeed We have sent down to you clear verses, and none disbelieve therein except the defiantly disobedient.
(وَلَقَدْ أَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ آيَاتٍ بَيِّنَاتٍ ۖ وَمَا يَكْفُرُ بِهَا إِلَّا الْفَاسِقُونَ)
This verse connects immorality to the denial of clear divine signs. The defiantly disobedient, by disregarding the framework of religionwhich is the lawful structure of divine ordinancesdepart from the path of truth. This departure not only results in individual deviation but also causes a rupture in social order. Just as a river that breaks away from its bed brings destruction instead of prosperity, immorality diverts society from justice and law towards chaos.
Immorality acts as a dam against the flow of legality, impeding the establishment of a just system. This concept encompasses any form of disobedience to divine ordinances, from neglecting individual commandments such as prayer and fasting to ignoring social principles like supervision and economic justice. In a society where immorality prevails, autonomy and arbitrariness replace law, which, like a disease that dissolves a body from within, weakens the social foundations.
The Holy Qur'an regards immorality not only as deviation from the path of truth but also as a cause for the descent of divine punishment. This punishment sometimes manifests in the form of social issues such as poverty and injustice, and at other times as an eschatological torment.
Immorality and arrogance, like two wings of an ominous bird, drive society towards humiliation and punishment. Pride and rejection of divine rules are among the primary roots of social decline.
So today you will be recompensed the punishment of humiliation because you were arrogant upon the earth without right and because you were defiantly disobedient.
(فَالْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ عَذَابَ الْهُونِ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَبِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَفْسُقُونَ)
This verse introduces immorality and arrogance as the two main causes of divine punishment. Arrogance is like a tree rooted in self-exaltation, and immorality like a branch severed from divine law, culminating in the humiliation of society. A society where autonomy and arbitrariness prevail cannot achieve order and justice; it is like a ship that has lost its captain, sinking in waves of problems.
Immorality, by rejecting divine rules, leads to social decline. This decline may manifest in poverty, injustice, or social division. The Holy Qur'an, by emphasising the punishment of humiliation, warns that a society which strays from the path of truth will head towards decay and destruction. This punishment appears not only in the hereafter but also in the worldly realm in the form of social and economic crises.
Hypocrites, as those who ostensibly profess faith but practically disobey divine ordinances, represent prominent instances of immorality. This group, like wolves in sheep's clothing, endangers social order.
Hypocrites, through pretense and failure to adhere to ordinances, contribute to societal decline. This behaviour is an example of immorality that obstructs the realisation of a just and lawful society.
Indeed, the hypocrites are the defiantly disobedient.
(إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ)
This verse explicitly identifies hypocrites as the defiantly disobedient. Hypocrites, by professing faith while failing to abide by ordinances, act like a hidden disease that weakens the foundations of society. Through pretense, they impair social trust and hinder the establishment of justice and legality.
Hypocrites, by their dual behaviour, damage not only themselves but also steer society towards decline. This conduct is akin to a fire smouldering beneath ashes, gradually destroying social order. The Holy Qur'an, emphasising the linkage between hypocrites and immorality, underscores the necessity of sincerity and adherence to religious principles for the realisation of a just society.
Denial of divine verses constitutes one of the most conspicuous instances of immorality, leading to divine punishment. This conduct, like denying light amid darkness, deprives society of divine guidance.
Denial of divine verses, meaning rejection of religious structure, is an example of immorality that leads to social decline and divine punishment.
And those who deny Our versespunishment will touch them for what they used to defiantly disobey.
(وَالَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يَمَسُّهُمُ الْعَذَابُ بِمَا كَانُوا يَفْسُقُونَ)
This verse links denial of verses to immorality and punishment. Denial means neglecting divine ordinances in economic, social, and supervisory spheres, which leads to societal decline. This conduct, like severing the roots of the tree of social life, impedes society's growth and flourishing.
Denial of verses includes ignoring economic ordinances such as Khums and Zakat or neglecting social supervision. This conduct resembles a storm that destroys the foundations of a city, disrupting order and justice. A society that disregards divine verses cannot achieve legality and justice.
Corruption, signifying the destruction of social and moral order, is another obstacle to the realisation of a just society. This concept, like a poison flowing through the veins of society, disintegrates its foundations.
Corruption, with false claims of reform, destroys social order. Vigilance against these claims is essential for preserving justice and legality.
And when it is said to them, "Do not cause corruption on the earth," they say, "We are but reformers."
(وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ)
This verse refers to those who create corruption under the pretext of reform. This behaviour acts like a mask over the face of truth, preventing the recognition of corruption and genuine reform. A society where corruption flourishes under the name of reform will diverge from the path of justice and legality.
Corruption may appear in economic, political, or moral forms. False claims of reform, like a mirage in a desert, lead society astray. To prevent this decline, accurate supervision and lawful structures are required, which must be devised and implemented by religious knowledge.
Ingratitude is one of the principal causes of social decline, which the Holy Qur'an introduces as an instance of immorality. This conduct, like ashes covering the fire of hope, hinders society's progress and flourishing.
Ingratitude encompasses failure to appreciate divine blessings and the efforts of deserving individuals. This conduct leads to division and social decline.
And many of them do not give thanks.
(وَكَثِيرٌ مِنْهُمْ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ)
Ingratitude, meaning the lack of appreciation for divine blessings and the endeavours of worthy individuals, is among the roots of social decline. A society that does not value its scholars, scientists, and martyrs is like a tree that has lost its roots and moves towards decay.
Ingratitude manifests not only toward divine blessings but also towards the efforts of worthy humans. This behaviour results in division, distrust, and the wastage of talents. A society that loses gratitude cannot attain unity and justice.
Ignorance is another factor of social decline that the Holy Qur'an places alongside immorality and ingratitude. This ignorance, like darkness that obscures the light of guidance, prevents society from adhering to legality.
