{"id":14074,"date":"2025-02-21T12:37:22","date_gmt":"2025-02-21T12:37:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/?p=14074"},"modified":"2026-03-06T14:13:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T09:13:47","slug":"does-god-command-evil-according-to-the-quran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/does-god-command-evil-according-to-the-quran\/","title":{"rendered":"Does God Command Evil? Understanding Qur\u2019an 17:16"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Question<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>As-salamu alaykum! Could you please clarify my confusion regarding Qur&#8217;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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Answer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Wa alaykumussalam!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you for writing to us and raising this important question regarding Qur\u2019\u0101n 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\u201317) clarifies the actual meaning and context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let us first review the translation of \u0100y\u0101t 15 to 17:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\">\u0645\u064e\u0651\u0646\u0650 \u0671\u0647\u0652\u062a\u064e\u062f\u064e\u0649\u0670 \u0641\u064e\u0625\u0650\u0646\u064e\u0651\u0645\u064e\u0627 \u064a\u064e\u0647\u0652\u062a\u064e\u062f\u0650\u0649 \u0644\u0650\u0646\u064e\u0641\u0652\u0633\u0650\u0647\u0650\u06e6 \u06d6 \u0648\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0646 \u0636\u064e\u0644\u064e\u0651 \u0641\u064e\u0625\u0650\u0646\u064e\u0651\u0645\u064e\u0627 \u064a\u064e\u0636\u0650\u0644\u064f\u0651 \u0639\u064e\u0644\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0647\u064e\u0627 \u06da \u0648\u064e\u0644\u064e\u0627 \u062a\u064e\u0632\u0650\u0631\u064f \u0648\u064e\u0627\u0632\u0650\u0631\u064e\u0629\u064c\u06ed \u0648\u0650\u0632\u0652\u0631\u064e \u0623\u064f\u062e\u0652\u0631\u064e\u0649\u0670 \u06d7 \u0648\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0627 \u0643\u064f\u0646\u064e\u0651\u0627 \u0645\u064f\u0639\u064e\u0630\u0650\u0651\u0628\u0650\u064a\u0646\u064e \u062d\u064e\u062a\u064e\u0651\u0649\u0670 \u0646\u064e\u0628\u0652\u0639\u064e\u062b\u064e \u0631\u064e\u0633\u064f\u0648\u0644\u064b\u06ed\u0627 \u0661\u0665 \u0648\u064e\u0625\u0650\u0630\u064e\u0622 \u0623\u064e\u0631\u064e\u062f\u0652\u0646\u064e\u0622 \u0623\u064e\u0646 \u0646\u064f\u0651\u0647\u0652\u0644\u0650\u0643\u064e \u0642\u064e\u0631\u0652\u064a\u064e\u0629\u064b \u0623\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0631\u0652\u0646\u064e\u0627 \u0645\u064f\u062a\u0652\u0631\u064e\u0641\u0650\u064a\u0647\u064e\u0627 \u0641\u064e\u0641\u064e\u0633\u064e\u0642\u064f\u0648\u0627\u06df \u0641\u0650\u064a\u0647\u064e\u0627 \u0641\u064e\u062d\u064e\u0642\u064e\u0651 \u0639\u064e\u0644\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0647\u064e\u0627 \u0671\u0644\u0652\u0642\u064e\u0648\u0652\u0644\u064f \u0641\u064e\u062f\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0651\u0631\u0652\u0646\u064e\u0640\u0670\u0647\u064e\u0627 \u062a\u064e\u062f\u0652\u0645\u0650\u064a\u0631\u064b\u06ed\u0627 \u0661\u0666 \u0648\u064e\u0643\u064e\u0645\u0652 \u0623\u064e\u0647\u0652\u0644\u064e\u0643\u0652\u0646\u064e\u0627 \u0645\u0650\u0646\u064e \u0671\u0644\u0652\u0642\u064f\u0631\u064f\u0648\u0646\u0650 \u0645\u0650\u0646\u06e2 \u0628\u064e\u0639\u0652\u062f\u0650 \u0646\u064f\u0648\u062d\u064d\u06e2 \u06d7 \u0648\u064e\u0643\u064e\u0641\u064e\u0649\u0670 \u0628\u0650\u0631\u064e\u0628\u0650\u0651\u0643\u064e \u0628\u0650\u0630\u064f\u0646\u064f\u0648\u0628\u0650 \u0639\u0650\u0628\u064e\u0627\u062f\u0650\u0647\u0650\u06e6 \u062e\u064e\u0628\u0650\u064a\u0631\u064b\u06e2\u0627 \u0628\u064e\u0635\u0650\u064a\u0631\u064b\u06ed\u0627 \u0661\u0667<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-lg-font-size\">\u201cIn 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\u2019s 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: \u2018Go and do whatever you want to.\u2019 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.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<cite>(Translation based on Ghamidi\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.javedahmadghamidi.com\/quran?chapter=17&amp;paragraph=6&amp;type=Ghamidi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Al-Bay\u0101n<\/a>)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Explaining the word&nbsp;<strong>\u0627\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0631\u06e1\u0646\u064e\u0627&nbsp;<\/strong>(We direct), Im\u0101m Am\u012bn Ahsan Isl\u0101h\u012b writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-lg-font-size\">\u201cThe word&nbsp;<strong>\u0627\u064e\u0645\u0652\u0631&nbsp;<\/strong>does not merely mean \u2018to give a directive.\u2019 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:&nbsp;<strong>\u0625\u0641\u0639\u0644\u0648\u0627 \u0645\u0627 \u0628\u062f\u0627 \u0644\u0643\u0645<\/strong>&nbsp;(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.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>Am\u012bn Ahsan Isl\u0101h\u012b, <em>Tadabbur-i Qur\u2019\u0101n<\/em>, vol. 4, 489<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, it is akin to saying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-lg-font-size\">\u201cIf you insist on persisting in your evil ways despite clear guidance, then do whatever you wish.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This is not a directive to commit evil but rather a form of divine reprieve: when people\u2019s rejection of the truth becomes deliberate and entrenched, God allows them to continue on their chosen path\u2014no longer intervening to deter them from wrongdoing. This law ensures that no excuse\u00a0remains for them when ultimate accountability or punishment arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hence, the destruction&nbsp;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\u2014especially those at the helm of society\u2014divine punishment becomes inevitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, the Qur\u2019\u0101n has unequivocally declared that God does&nbsp;not&nbsp;command evil. The Qur&#8217;\u0101n says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\">\u0625\u0650\u0646\u064e\u0651 \u0671\u0644\u0644\u064e\u0651\u0647\u064e \u064a\u064e\u0623\u0652\u0645\u064f\u0631\u064f \u0628\u0650\u0671\u0644\u0652\u0639\u064e\u062f\u0652\u0644\u0650 \u0648\u064e\u0671\u0644\u0652\u0625\u0650\u062d\u0652\u0633\u064e\u0640\u0670\u0646\u0650 \u0648\u064e\u0625\u0650\u064a\u062a\u064e\u0622\u0626\u0650 \u0630\u0650\u0649 \u0671\u0644\u0652\u0642\u064f\u0631\u0652\u0628\u064e\u0649\u0670 \u0648\u064e\u064a\u064e\u0646\u0652\u0647\u064e\u0649\u0670 \u0639\u064e\u0646\u0650 \u0671\u0644\u0652\u0641\u064e\u062d\u0652\u0634\u064e\u0622\u0621\u0650 \u0648\u064e\u0671\u0644\u0652\u0645\u064f\u0646\u0643\u064e\u0631\u0650 \u0648\u064e\u0671\u0644\u0652\u0628\u064e\u063a\u0652\u0649\u0650 \u06da \u064a\u064e\u0639\u0650\u0638\u064f\u0643\u064f\u0645\u0652 \u0644\u064e\u0639\u064e\u0644\u064e\u0651\u0643\u064f\u0645\u0652 \u062a\u064e\u0630\u064e\u0643\u064e\u0651\u0631\u064f\u0648\u0646\u064e<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-lg-font-size\">\u201cIndeed, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>Qur\u2019\u0101n 16:90<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>We hope this clarification helps resolve your query. By examining the linguistic nuances of&nbsp;<strong>\u0627\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0631\u06e1\u0646\u064e\u0627&nbsp;<\/strong>and considering the broader Qur\u2019\u0101nic context, it becomes evident that according to Qur\u2019\u0101n 17:16&nbsp;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>May Allah guide us all to a clear understanding of His Word. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regards,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mushfiq Sultan<br>Assistant Fellow, Al-Mawrid<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<button class=\"simplefavorite-button\" data-postid=\"14074\" data-siteid=\"1\" data-groupid=\"1\" data-favoritecount=\"0\" style=\"\">Favorite <i class=\"sf-icon-star-empty\"><\/i><\/button>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Question As-salamu alaykum! Could you please clarify my confusion regarding Qur&#8217;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? Favorite<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14076,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"0","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2679,1332,1389],"tags":[2167,6308,1715,2826,1444,2804,1676,2808,1338,6307],"class_list":["post-14074","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-criticism","category-god-and-monotheism","category-quranic-exegesis","tag-allah","tag-bani-israel","tag-evil","tag-exegesis","tag-god","tag-islahi","tag-misconception","tag-mushfiq-sultan","tag-quran","tag-surah-17"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Does God Command Evil? 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Is it true that according to the Qur\u2019\u0101n, the most honorable to Allah is muttaqi?","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Miscellaneous&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Miscellaneous","link":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/category\/miscellaneous\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Queries.png?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Queries.png?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Queries.png?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Queries.png?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6960,"url":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/was-khidr-an-angel-or-a-man\/","url_meta":{"origin":14074,"position":1},"title":"Was Khidr an angel or a man?","author":"Mushfiq Sultan","date":"July 10, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Mr. Ghamidi suggests that Hazrat Khidr was perhaps an angel in human form. Many episodes related in the Qur'an show angels assuming human form (See Qur'an 19:17);","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Faith and Beliefs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Faith and Beliefs","link":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/category\/faith-and-beliefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/khidr.png?fit=788%2C469&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/khidr.png?fit=788%2C469&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/khidr.png?fit=788%2C469&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/khidr.png?fit=788%2C469&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15078,"url":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/seeing-allah-in-the-hereafter-quranic-position\/","url_meta":{"origin":14074,"position":2},"title":"Will Humans See God in the Hereafter? The Qur&#8217;anic Position","author":"Mushfiq Sultan","date":"March 18, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Will humans be able to see Allah in the Hereafter? This response examines the Qur'anic position on the vision of God, drawing on the insights of Maulana Amin Ahsan Islahi and Ustadh Javed Ahmad Ghamidi.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;God and Monotheism&quot;","block_context":{"text":"God and Monotheism","link":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/category\/god-and-monotheism\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Qur'anic position on seeing Allah in the Hereafter","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pexels-photo-31410322-e1773845424424.jpeg?fit=650%2C365&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pexels-photo-31410322-e1773845424424.jpeg?fit=650%2C365&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pexels-photo-31410322-e1773845424424.jpeg?fit=650%2C365&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6746,"url":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/evil-eye\/","url_meta":{"origin":14074,"position":3},"title":"Evil Eye","author":"admin","date":"July 10, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"I would request Mr Ghamidi to please take some time for me to reply in detail regarding the belief of evil eye. There is nothing written in the Qur\u2019an about this belief yet the scholars here say that the last two suras are a cure or protection for all such\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Miscellaneous&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Miscellaneous","link":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/category\/miscellaneous\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Queries.png?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Queries.png?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Queries.png?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Queries.png?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5827,"url":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/nafs-e-lawwamah-the-reproaching-self\/","url_meta":{"origin":14074,"position":4},"title":"Nafs-e Lawwamah (The Reproaching Self)","author":"admin","date":"July 10, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"What is the significance of latif (spiritual parts of human self)? Do they find a mention in the Qur\u2019an?","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Personality Development&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Personality Development","link":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/category\/personality-development\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Queries.png?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Queries.png?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Queries.png?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Queries.png?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6775,"url":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/implication-of-the-word-zulm\/","url_meta":{"origin":14074,"position":5},"title":"Implication Of The Word Zulm","author":"admin","date":"July 10, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Please explain in depth what is the real implication of the Arabic word \u2018Zulm\u2019 in the Holy Qur\u2019an. A barrister friend of mine wants to comprehend \u2018Zulm\u2019 particularly in the Qur\u2019anic context in sayings like Allah does not guide the \u2018Zalimun\u2019.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Quranic Exegesis&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Quranic Exegesis","link":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/category\/quranic-exegesis\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Queries.png?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Queries.png?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Queries.png?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Queries.png?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgh6ci-3F0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14074","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14074"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14074\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14076"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14074"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14074"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-mawrid.org\/questions-en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14074"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}