Question

As-salamu alaykum! Could you please clarify my confusion regarding Qur’an 17:16, which appears to say that Allah commands the wealthy people of a town to engage in evil, thereby giving Him a reason to destroy it?

Answer

Wa alaykumussalam!

Thank you for writing to us and raising this important question regarding Qur’ān 17:16, which some interpret as God directly commanding the affluent to commit evil so they may be destroyed. A closer examination of the original Arabic and the surrounding verses (17:15–17) clarifies the actual meaning and context.

Let us first review the translation of Āyāt 15 to 17: 

مَّنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِى لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌۭ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۗ وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّىٰ نَبْعَثَ رَسُولًۭا ١٥ وَإِذَآ أَرَدْنَآ أَن نُّهْلِكَ قَرْيَةً أَمَرْنَا مُتْرَفِيهَا فَفَسَقُوا۟ فِيهَا فَحَقَّ عَلَيْهَا ٱلْقَوْلُ فَدَمَّرْنَـٰهَا تَدْمِيرًۭا ١٦ وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ نُوحٍۢ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِرَبِّكَ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرًۢا بَصِيرًۭا ١٧

“In reality, he who treads the path of guidance, he treads it for himself and he who goes astray, he too bears its evil consequence. [The law of God is that] no bearer of burden shall bear someone else’s burden. [So, do you show haste?] We never punish [any nation] unless We send a messenger [so that he is able to conclusively communicate the truth to it before being punished]. When We intend to destroy a settlement [because of its misdeeds,] We direct its affluent: ‘Go and do whatever you want to.’ Then they continue to show defiance in it; after that, the word is fulfilled for that settlement and We totally ravage it. [Observe] how many nations after Noah have We destroyed like this. [O Prophet!] Sufficient is your Lord to know about and see the sins of His people.” 

(Translation based on Ghamidi’s Al-Bayān)

Explaining the word اَمَرۡنَا (We direct), Imām Amīn Ahsan Islāhī writes:

“The word اَمْر does not merely mean ‘to give a directive.’ Sometimes, it is also used to give respite and reprieve to someone. When a person gets tired and frustrated in trying to reconcile or resolve a matter with another person or a group, he says: إفعلوا ما بدا لكم (do whatever you want to). An imperative style is apparently adopted here but it actually implies giving respite. In a similar way, the Almighty gives respite to people once the truth is conclusively communicated to them so that no excuse remains for them.”

Amīn Ahsan Islāhī, Tadabbur-i Qur’ān, vol. 4, 489

In other words, it is akin to saying:

“If you insist on persisting in your evil ways despite clear guidance, then do whatever you wish.”

This is not a directive to commit evil but rather a form ofdivine reprieve: when people’s rejection of the truth becomes deliberate and entrenched, God allows them to continue on their chosen path—no longer intervening to deter them from wrongdoing. This law ensures that no excuse remains for them when ultimate accountability or punishment arrives.

Hence, the destruction mentioned in the verse does not come arbitrarily. People are first given guidance, sufficient opportunity, and time to reflect and reform. When they continue in wrongdoing—especially those at the helm of society—divine punishment becomes inevitable.

Moreover, the Qur’ān has unequivocally declared that God does not command evil. The Qur’ān says:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَٱلْإِحْسَـٰنِ وَإِيتَآئِ ذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱلْبَغْىِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

“Indeed, God directs you [in it] to justice, virtue and to give to the kin and stops you from lewdness, evil and rebelliousness. He counsels you so that you receive a reminder.”

Qur’ān 16:90

We hope this clarification helps resolve your query. By examining the linguistic nuances of اَمَرۡنَا and considering the broader Qur’ānic context, it becomes evident that according to Qur’ān 17:16 God is not instructing anyone to commit evil. Instead, it highlights a divine principle: after ample warning and guidance, those who persist in wilful defiance seal their own fate.

May Allah guide us all to a clear understanding of His Word. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask.

Regards,

Mushfiq Sultan
Assistant Fellow, Al-Mawrid

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