Tafseer of The letter Saad · Saad · 38:28
Or should we treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like corrupters in the land? Or should We treat those who fear Allah like the wicked?
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
His statement ( أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَالْمُفْسِدِينَ فِي الأرْضِ ) ("Or shall We treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like those who spread corruption on the earth?") means: Shall We treat those who held Allah and His Messenger to be truthful and acted according to what Allah commanded them, and abstained from what He forbade them, ( كَالْمُفْسِدِينَ فِي الأرْضِ ) ("like those who spread corruption on the earth") — that is to say: like those who ascribe partners to Allah (shirk), disobey Him, and transgress His command and prohibition?
( أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الْمُتَّقِينَ ) ("Or shall We treat the God-fearing") means: those who feared Allah by obeying Him and heeding Him, so that they guarded themselves against disobedience to Him, ( كَالْفُجَّارِ ) ("like the depraved") — that is to say: like the unbelievers (kuffār) who violate the sanctities of Allah?
