Food & Drink · Quran topic
The Foul
الخبيث · Khabith
The Quran contrasts the foul with the good across wealth, actions, people, and food.
70 verses · 7 parts · 8 min read
Study guide based on
موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم
مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية
«الخبيث» · Volume 7
At a glance
In the Quran, the foul (الخبيث al-khabith) stands in stark opposition to everything pure, lawful, and good (الطيب al-tayyib). It describes whatever is repulsive due to its lowliness, corrupt nature, or harm, whether perceptible like carrion and filthy places, or conceptual like false beliefs, dishonest speech, and unlawful earnings. The sacred text addresses this concept across every sphere of life, calling believers to actively detach from vile deeds and tainted gain.
Understanding the foul matters because humans are naturally susceptible to being dazzled by sheer volume or glittering appearances. When unlawful wealth or immoral practices become widespread, human standards easily waver. The Quran establishes an enduring divine rule: quantity never validates corruption, and the good and the foul will never be equal in the sight of Allah Al-Ma'idah 5:100.
Ultimately, divine trials exist to sift humanity and separate what is corrupt from what is sound. By aligning our choices with what is wholesome, we protect our souls from ruin in this life and secure a noble place among the purified in the hereafter.
Key verses
- Al-Ma'idah 5:100: Allah declares that the foul and the good are never equal, commanding people of understanding not to be misled by the widespread abundance of what is impure.
- Ibrahim 14:24-26: Allah illustrates the good word as a firmly rooted, fruit-bearing tree, contrasting it with the foul word likened to an uprooted tree without stability.
- Al-Baqarah 2:267: Believers are instructed to spend from their wholesome, lawful earnings and avoid deliberately selecting inferior, spoiled goods to give as charity.
- Al-A'raf 7:157: The Prophet's mission is defined by making wholesome things lawful and forbidding everything that is harmful and vile.
- An-Nur 24:26: This verse establishes that corrupt elements naturally correspond to each other, highlighting compatibility between spouses and vindicating the righteous.
- Al-Baqarah 2:172: Allah commands believers to consume only pure, wholesome sustenance and to show gratitude to Him through sincere worship.
Words to know
- الخبيث al-khabith
Whatever is detested due to its corruption, wretchedness, or lowliness, encompassing false creeds, lies, ugly actions, and unlawful sustenance.
Appears 16 times in the Quran.
Most common forms: خَبِيث (9), خَبِيثَة (6), خَبُثَ (1)
Root: خ ب ث
- الرديء al-radi'
That which is inferior, defective, worthless, or of low quality, used interchangeably with the foul.
- الطيب al-tayyib
The purest, best, and most delightful of things, signifying what is inherently wholesome, lawful, and free from harm.
Root: ط ي ب
- الفاسد al-fasid
That which is ruined, contrary to what is sound, and fails to produce its intended beneficial effect.
- النجس al-najis
Filth that is repulsive to sound human nature and legally prohibited from consumption.
Root: ن ج س
- الحرام al-haram
That which the Lawgiver has strictly forbidden by an emphatic command, punishable upon commission.
Root: ح ر م
What is described as foul in the Quran
From the paper: «الموصوف بالخبث في القرآن»
The Quran identifies the quality of foulness across multiple realms of human experience, warning believers to guard themselves against each manifestation.
- Wealth: Allah forbids giving away spoiled, inferior produce or unlawful earnings in charity, reminding believers that He is Self-Sufficient and accepts only what is pure Al-Baqarah 2:267. Guardians are likewise cautioned never to substitute an orphan's valuable property with defective goods, or consume unlawful assets alongside their own An-Nisa 4:2.
- Deeds: Evil deeds carry no weight before Allah, just as a foul, bitter shrub bears no benefit and cannot be compared to righteous actions Sad 38:28, Al-Jathiyah 45:21, Al-Ma'idah 5:100, Ibrahim 14:24-26.
- People: Corrupt individuals actively divert others from the path of truth, yet severe trials and worldly upheavals expose their hidden nature and isolate them from the sincere believers Al-Anfal 8:36-37, Ali 'Imran 3:179, Al-Anbiya 21:74, An-Nur 24:26.
- Places: Barren, saline land yields stunted produce despite rainfall, serving as a parable for hardened hearts Al-A'raf 7:58. Dilapidated homes devoid of Allah's remembrance, gatherings of sin, and bathrooms attract devils and harbor foul spiritual states An-Nur 24:26.
- Food and Drink: Unwholesome foods such as carrion, flowing blood, swine flesh, animals not slaughtered properly, and intoxicants are explicitly outlawed because of their spiritual and physical harm Al-Baqarah 2:172-173, Al-Ma'idah 5:3, An-Nahl 16:114-115, Al-A'raf 7:157, Al-Ma'idah 5:90.
«إنّ الله عز وجل خلق الطيب والخبيث وأمرنا بالطيب ونهانا عن كل خبيث؛ لأن من خلقنا أدرى بنا من أنفسنا، والخبث يكون في الأموال فهناك الحرام والحلال، وهناك الخبيث من الأعمال، والخبيث من الناس الذين يصدون عن الله بكل السبل، وهناك أيضًا الخبيث من المطعم والمشرب.»موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم
مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية
Volume 7
Between the good and the foul
From the paper: «بين الطيب والخبيث»
A fundamental universal law established by Allah is the clear differentiation between the foul and the pure.
- Distinguishing the two: Allah does not leave human affairs ambiguous. Intense adversity, hardship, and persecution act as a divine sieve that unmasks hypocrites and exposes the purity of true believers Ali 'Imran 3:179, Ali 'Imran 3:166-167, Al-Ahzab 33:10-12, Al-Ahzab 33:22, Al-Ankabut 29:2-3. Temporary worldly advantages granted to falsehood allow it to exhaust its course, while tests refine the faithful.
- The error of mixing them: The boundaries of lawful and prohibited matters are distinctly defined, with doubtful matters lying between them. Mixing an orphan's wealth into personal property constitutes a severe transgression An-Nisa 4:2. While individuals may blend righteous and sinful deeds At-Tawbah 9:102, believers must continuously seek repentance to cleanse their records Al-Hadid 57:19, An-Nisa 4:145.
- Denial of equality: The Quran decisively rejects any claim that corruption and righteousness are equivalent Al-Ma'idah 5:100. They differ completely in nature, value, and outcome: pious conduct brings societal mercy and divine reward, whereas corrupt living yields torment and ruin across individuals, speech, and sustenance As-Sajdah 32:18, As-Sajdah 32:19-20, Sad 38:28, Al-Jathiyah 45:21, Al-Qalam 68:35-36, Al-Hashr 59:20, Fussilat 41:34, Ibrahim 14:24-26, Al-A'raf 7:57, Al-Infitar 82:13-14, Maryam 19:96.
«هذه الآية حكم عام في نفي المساواة عند الله عز وجل بين الرديء من الأشخاص والأعمال والأموال وبين جيّدها، قصد به الترغيب في جيد كل منها والتحذير عن الرديء منها.»موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم
مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية
Volume 7
Being deceived by the abundance of the foul
From the paper: «الاغترار بكثرة الخبيث»
Human beings are easily swayed by popularity and abundance, often mistaking the prevalence of a practice for its validity. The Quran systematically dismantles this assumption, frequently censuring the majorities that stray into ignorance, heedlessness, and ingratitude Al-An'am 6:116, Yusuf 12:103, As-Saffat 37:71, Al-Baqarah 2:100, Yusuf 12:106, Al-Isra 17:89, Al-Baqarah 2:243, Ghafir 40:61, Yusuf 12:40. In contrast, the Quran praises the small minority of steadfast and grateful servants Sad 38:24, An-Nisa 4:83, Saba 34:13, Al-Baqarah 2:246, An-Nisa 4:66, Hud 11:40.
Allah explicitly commands the people of intellect not to let the overwhelming abundance of the foul captivate them Al-Ma'idah 5:100. Truth is recognized by divine standards rather than headcounts. A small amount of pure, lawful sustenance brings peace, health, and blessing, whereas massive heaps of ill-gotten wealth bring ruin and regret. Man-made systems derive legitimacy from common practice, but divine law actively resists corrupt conventions. The believer remains firm upon the truth even when feeling completely alone among widespread distractions.
يقول الشيخ ابن سعدي رحمه الله: «ودلت هذه الآية على أنه لا يستدل على الحق بكثرة أهله، ولا تدل قلة السالكين لأمر من الأمور أن يكون غير الحق، بل الواقع بخلاف ذلك، فإن أهل الحق هم الأقلون عددًا، الأعظمون عند الله قدرًا وأجرًا».موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم
مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية
Volume 7
The prohibition of foul things
From the paper: «تحريم الخبائث»
It is an immense favor from Allah that He created wholesome provisions for humanity while outlawing everything foul Al-A'raf 7:32, Al-Baqarah 2:172-173. Clear categories of prohibited foods are delineated, including carrion, running blood, pork, idols' sacrifices, strangled animals, and those killed by blunt force or falling Al-Ma'idah 5:3, Al-An'am 6:145.
The Prophet is sent to sanction wholesome items and prohibit vile matters Al-A'raf 7:157. Scholars understand this ruling either as a specific reference to what Islamic law explicitly identifies or as an overarching guideline covering repulsive creatures that sound human nature rejects. Intoxicants are categorically condemned as satanic filth due to the devastation they inflict on human intellect, health, and dignity Al-Ma'idah 5:90.
These prohibitions carry profound wisdom: protecting bodies from harmful toxins and safeguarding hearts from associating partners with Allah. Consuming what is unlawful directly obstructs supplications from being accepted Al-Mu'minun 23:51, Al-Baqarah 2:172, making the pursuit of pure livelihood an absolute necessity for every believer.
«من فضل الله علينا ومنته أنه أحل لنا الطيبات وحرم علينا الخبائث، لحكم عظيمة وجليلة تتضح معالمها على مر الزمان، لتثبت أن هذا القرآن من عند عليم خبير.»موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم
مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية
Volume 7
Affinity between foul counterparts
From the paper: «التناسب بين الخبيثين»
In His divine wisdom, Allah created a natural harmony between entities that share similar traits. In the realm of human relationships, corrupt words, deeds, and individuals naturally gravitate toward one another, while wholesome souls connect with their own kind An-Nur 24:26.
This passage originally descended during the slander against Lady Aisha, declaring her absolute innocence and affirming that the noble Prophet could only be paired with a pure spouse. Beyond this historical vindication, the verse sets forth an essential social and ethical guide for marriage: compatibility in virtue. Wholesome individuals should be wed to wholesome partners to foster peace and mutual respect, while joining virtuous souls to immoral partners only brings distress.
The Quran strongly rebukes fornication, noting that an unrepentant fornicator naturally consorts with another fornicator or idolater rather than a chaste believer An-Nur 24:3. Preserving marital purity protects lineage, family dignity, and moral order.
«أراد الله عز وجل أن يوجهنا إلى أن نزوج فتياتنا الطيبات رجالًا طيبين، ويوجهنا أيضًا إلى أن نزوج شبابنا الطيبين فتيات طيبات، لكي يكون تناسبًا صحيحًا وسليمًا، فهذا توجيه أخلاقي اجتماعي، لهم في توجيهها هذا التوجيه الرائع، أي: ينبغي يا عبادي أن يكون الطيبون للطيبات والخبيثون للخبيثات.»موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم
مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية
Volume 7
The foul in Quranic parables
From the paper: «الخبيث في المثل القرآني»
The Quran utilizes vivid parables to depict the realities of truth and falsehood Ibrahim 14:24-26. A good word, representing faith and divine truth, is compared to a noble tree: its roots are deeply anchored, its branches reach into the sky, and it regularly yields sweet fruit by its Lord's permission.
Conversely, a foul word, embodying disbelief, falsehood, and wickedness, is likened to an unwholesome, bitter bush like the colocynth. It possesses no secure roots in the earth, offers no wholesome nourishment, and is easily uprooted by the slightest gust of wind. Falsehood may appear overgrown and imposing for a time, yet it completely lacks staying power.
Through these parables, Allah shows that He grants unwavering firmness in both worlds to those who hold to the truth, while leaving transgressors to falter in confusion Ibrahim 14:27, Ibrahim 14:25. The sincere believer continuously offers righteous words and deeds that ascend to the heavens.
«ويضرب الله تعالى هذا المثل ليصوّر للناس سنته الجارية في الطيب والخبيث في هذه الحياة بالشجرة الطيبة، والشجرة الخبيثة.»موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم
مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية
Volume 7
The fate of the foul and its people
From the paper: «مصير الخبيث وأهله»
The separation between the foul and the pure culminates in the hereafter. Allah describes how all evil deeds, tainted wealth, and corrupt individuals will be gathered, piled on top of one another like worthless heaps of filth, and cast collectively into Hell Al-Anfal 8:37.
This graphic image illustrates the total worthlessness and complete degradation of falsehood. While the righteous who lived purely receive greeting from the angels and are escorted into Paradise An-Nahl 16:32, Az-Zumar 39:73, the gates of celestial bliss remain completely barred against all impurity.
The paper highlights that when corruption and public indecency become rampant in a society, widespread ruin can strike all people, even when righteous individuals dwell among them. The historical destruction of the people of Sodom stands as an earthly testament to this divine law, where vile actions brought sudden ruin before the eternal reckoning Al-Anbiya 21:74, An-Naml 27:56, Al-Hijr 15:73-75, Ar-Ra'd 13:17.
«فإن الله تعالى يفرق بين الطيب والخبيث في كل الأمور، ثم يكون الجزاء في الآخرة بأن يفترقا، فلا يجتمعان أبدًا؛ فلكلٍّ داره وقراره، فالطّيّب وأهله لهم الجزاء الطيب في جنان الرحمن، والخبث وأهله لهم العذاب الأليم، والمصير الخبيث.»موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم
مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية
Volume 7
Takeaways
Select the Best for Charity
When spending for the sake of Allah, avoid offering discarded, inferior, or spoiled items. Allah is pure and worthy of the finest portions of your wealth.
Do Not Measure Truth by Popularity
Never judge the correctness of an action or lifestyle simply by how many people practice it. Falsehood is frequently widespread, but popularity never alters its reality.
Purify Your Sustenance
Ensure every bit of your food, drink, and income is entirely lawful, because consuming unwholesome provision builds a barrier against the acceptance of your prayers.
Seek Moral Harmony in Companionship
Prioritize moral and spiritual integrity when choosing a spouse or close companions, as souls naturally mirror and affect the qualities of those with whom they associate.
Reflect
- Are there areas in your life where you have chosen to compromise simply because 'everyone else is doing it'?
- When you give in charity, do you offer what you truly cherish or merely what you no longer need?
- How actively do you protect your home environment and social circles from unwholesome speech and media?
Go deeper
Linguistic meaning
Linguistically, the foul signifies anything corrupt, defective, unpleasant in taste or smell, legally prohibited, or vile, standing in direct contrast to what is good and wholesome.
«خبث الشيء خباثة وخبثًا فهو خبيث، وهم خبثاء وخباث، والخبيث: نعت كل شيء فاسد، وخبيث الطعم، وخبيث اللون وبه خبث، وخباثة وأخبث فهو مخبث إذا صار ذا خبث وشر.»موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم
مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية
Volume 7
Technical meaning
Technically, it refers to whatever is detested due to its badness and lowliness, whether physically perceptible or conceptual, encompassing invalid beliefs, lying, and evil actions.
«الخبيث: هو ما يكره بسبب رداءته وخسته سواء أكان محسوسًا أم معقولًا، وذلك يتناول الباطل في الاعتقاد والتفكير، والكذب في المقال، والقبح في الأفعال والتصرفات.»موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم
مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية
Volume 7
How it differs from related terms
- الرديء The inferior / defective
- It is essentially synonymous with the foul in denoting low quality and worthlessness, though it focuses particularly on the baseness and deficiency of an item.
- الطيب The good / wholesome
- It is the direct opposite of the foul, encompassing that which is legally pure, lawful, and enjoyable to sound human senses.
- الفاسد The corrupt / invalid
- The foul is broader than the corrupt: every foul thing is corrupt, but not every corrupt thing is necessarily foul in every sense.
- النجس The impure / filthy
- It shares a nearly synonymous meaning with the foul, focusing specifically on tangible or ritual filth that is repulsive and legally forbidden to ingest.
- الحرام The unlawful
- There is a necessary link between them because everything foul is legally prohibited due to its intrinsic corruption and harm.
Every verse in the paper
All 70 verses the research paper discusses, grouped under its own headings.
The foul in Quranic usage «الخبيث في الاستعمال القرآني»
What is described as foul in the Quran «الموصوف بالخبث في القرآن»
Foulness in wealth «أولًا: الخبث في الأموال»
Foulness in deeds «ثانيًا: الخبث في الأعمال»
Foulness in people «ثالثًا: الخبث في الناس»
Foulness in places «رابعًا: الخبث في الأماكن»
Foulness in food and drink «خامسًا: الخبث في المطعومات والمشروبات»
2:172-173, 5:3, 16:114-115, 7:157, 5:90
Between the good and the foul «بين الطيب والخبيث»
Distinguishing the foul from the good «أولًا: تمييز الخبيث من الطيب»
3:179, 3:166-167, 33:10-12, 33:22, 29:2-3
Mixing the foul with the good «ثانيًا: الخلط بين الخبيث والطيب»
Negating equality between the foul and the good «ثالثًا: نفي المساواة بين الخبيث والطيب»
5:100, 32:18, 32:19-20, 38:28, 45:21, 68:35-36, 59:20, 41:34, 14:24-26, 7:57, 82:13-14, 19:96
Being deceived by the abundance of the foul «الاغترار بكثرة الخبيث»
6:116, 12:103, 37:71, 2:100, 12:106, 17:89, 2:243, 40:61, 12:40, 38:24, 4:83, 34:13, 2:246, 4:66, 11:40, 5:100
The prohibition of foul things «تحريم الخبائث»
7:32, 2:172-173, 6:145, 5:3, 7:157, 5:90, 23:51
Affinity between foul counterparts «التناسب بين الخبيثين»
The foul in Quranic parables «الخبيث في المثل القرآني»
The fate of the foul and its people «مصير الخبيث وأهله»
About this source
موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم
مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية
- Volume
- 7
- Research paper
- «الخبيث» (The Foul)
Encyclopedia of Thematic Tafsir of the Noble Quran, published by the Tafsir Center for Quranic Studies.
This study guide summarizes the Arabic research paper. For full scholarly detail, refer to the original. This preview has not been reviewed yet.