Miscellaneous · Quran topic

Evil

الشر · Sharr

Understanding the nature of evil, its earthly purposes, and how believers guard against it.

104 verses · 6 parts · 7 min read

Study guide based on

موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم

مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية

«الشر» · Volume 10

At a glance

In the Quranic perspective, evil encompasses vices, sins, and harmful deeds, as well as the earthly hardships and adversities that human beings dislike. Although hardship feels burdensome to our natural human disposition, Islam teaches that absolute evil does not exist in Allah's creation. What appears as evil to our limited perspective is relative, serving as a divine trial designed to purify sins, elevate ranks, and unfold greater wisdom.

The Quran identifies specific fields where evil takes root, beginning with disbelief, ungratefulness, greed, envying others, and spreading harmful falsehoods. True evil harms the human soul far more than physical hardship, especially when a person turns away from faith during trials. By contrast, sincere believers understand that adversity carries divine purpose, and they protect themselves against worldly and spiritual harm through deep faith, persistent remembrance, heartfelt prayer, and righteous companionship.

Key verses

Al-Isra 17:83: This verse reveals the blameworthy reaction of ungrateful disbelievers, who turn away proudly when blessed but fall into absolute despair whenever adversity touches them.
Al-Baqarah 2:216: This verse explains that human judgment of good and bad is inherently limited, reminding believers that Allah alone knows what is truly beneficial or harmful for them.
Al-Anfal 8:22: This verse warns that the worst of moving creatures before Allah are those who intentionally close their ears and faculties to the truth and refuse to reflect.

Words to know

الشر al-sharr

Anything that runs contrary to human disposition and brings harm or corruption, encompassing sins, vices, and disliked worldly trials.

السّوء al-soo'

Everything that grieves a person in worldly or spiritual matters, carrying an even more severe connotation of harm and evil.

Root: س و ا

المصيبة al-museebah

An unwelcome affliction or sudden distress that strikes a person, which is narrower in scope than general evil.

Root: ص و ب

الضّر al-durr

Adversity, distress, or impairment affecting the self, the body, or external circumstances like wealth and status.

Root: ض ر ر

الخير al-khayr

Whatever is universally desirable and truly beneficial, standing as the complete opposite of evil in every respect.

Root: خ ي ر

Reality of evil

From the paper: «حقيقة الشر»

Allah alone possesses absolute, all-encompassing knowledge of every reality, time, and place Al-Baqarah 2:255. Human knowledge, by contrast, is severely limited. A person often loathes an experience while Allah has placed immense goodness behind it, or desires something that actually holds grave destruction Al-Baqarah 2:216. Living with this awareness instills humble surrender, heartfelt gratitude, and constant self-examination.

Furthermore, the paper highlights that absolute evil does not exist in Allah's creation. Worldly pains, poverty, grief, and the loss of loved ones are relative evils deployed in service of a greater, absolute good As-Sajdah 32:21. Allah tests people with pleasant and adverse conditions to examine who responds with patience and who falls into discontent Al-Anbiya 21:35, Al-Baqarah 2:155-156.

The Quran provides vivid examples of apparent hardships turning into major triumphs. At Badr, the believers wished for an unarmed caravan, yet Allah decreed an encounter with the army to manifest an enduring victory Al-Anfal 8:7. Likewise, the journey of Musa and al-Khidr reveals how seemingly harmful events, such as damaging a boat or taking a life, averted far greater calamities and contained profound divine mercy.

«إذن هذا أمرٌ أساسي في العقيدة، يجب أن نعتقد اعتقادًا جازمًا أن الشر المطلق لا وجود له إطلاقًا، لكن هناك شرٌ نسبي، أي : بالنسبة للبشر، ولكنه في ذات الوقت موظف للخير المطلق.»

موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم

مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية

Volume 10

Domains of evil

From the paper: «ميادين الشر»

The Quran identifies major arenas through which evil manifests. Foremost among them is disbelief, which represents the root of all corruption. Those who stubbornly reject the truth and deafen themselves to divine guidance are described as the worst of moving creatures Al-Anfal 8:20-23, Al-Anfal 8:22, Al-Anfal 8:55-60. Another arena is withholding zakah: hoarders are warned of painful humiliation Ali 'Imran 3:180, illustrated by the orchard owners who plotted to deprive the poor and woke to find their harvest completely ruined Al-Qalam 68:17-20, Al-Qalam 68:33.

Abandoning struggle for Allah's cause is another grave arena of evil. Though combat is inherently burdensome to human nature, fleeing it results in dishonor and defeat, whereas fulfilling it preserves truth and protects societies Al-Baqarah 2:216, Al-Baqarah 2:178, Al-Baqarah 2:183.

Committing major sins is a self-inflicted evil that endangers the soul. Allah created humans with dual capacities for righteousness and wickedness, granting each person moral awareness and free will to purify or corrupt their soul Ash-Shams 91:7-10, Al-Balad 90:10, Al-Muddaththir 74:38, An-Nisa 4:31. Other active manifestations include sorcery and malicious envy, both condemned for targeting people with harm Al-Falaq 113:1-5, Al-Qasas 28:79, An-Nisa 4:32. Finally, fabricating and circulating false rumors damages social harmony, as seen in the slander against 'A'ishah, which Allah transformed into lasting honor for the truthful and exposure for the hypocrites An-Nur 24:11, An-Nur 24:20.

«• ذنوب وقعت منه يعاقب عليها، فيكون وقوع ذلك بفعله وقصده وسعيه، ويكون هذا الشر هو الذنوب ، ومنها الكبائر ، وهو أعظم الشرين وأدومهما.»

موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم

مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية

Volume 10

Types of evil

From the paper: «أنواع الشر»

Evil divides into two main categories: worldly and otherworldly. Worldly evil encompasses illnesses, hardships, and calamities. Rather than being mere punishments, these trials carry sublime wisdom for believers, serving to expiate sins, purify character, and elevate spiritual ranks As-Saffat 37:103-107, Ali 'Imran 3:142, Ash-Shura 42:30. Sincere patience in adversity turns painful experiences into spiritual gains.

Otherworldly evil, by contrast, represents absolute ruin without any compensating good. On the Day of Judgment, divine justice is exact, and recompense matches deeds precisely down to the weight of an atom Az-Zalzalah 99:7-8. For transgressors, Hellfire is the most terrible abode, filled with scalding drinks and boiling agony Sad 38:55-56.

The terror of the Day of Resurrection is itself described as an all-encompassing evil that spreads throughout the heavens and the earth Al-Insan 76:7. However, those who lived with reverent fear of Allah in this world, spending on the needy and honoring their pledges, will be spared its dread, greeted instead with radiant joy and serenity Al-Insan 76:11.

«إن الشر الدنيوي المتمثل في الأمراض والابتلاءات له فائدة عظيمة وحكم جليلة، يمن بها الله على من أحب من عباده، ومن هذه الحكم: تكفير السيئات ورفع الدرجات، والتمحيص والتنقية والتهيؤ لحمل أعباء الدعوة.»

موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم

مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية

Volume 10

Protection from evil

From the paper: «التحصن من الشر»

Believers are surrounded by sworn enemies from among the devils of mankind and the jinn, who seek to cast doubts, incite sins, and cause spiritual and worldly ruin Al-An'am 6:112, An-Nahl 16:106, An-Nur 24:21, An-Nisa 4:60, Al-Ma'idah 5:91, Al-A'raf 7:27, Fatir 35:6. Allah has outlined powerful means of protection against their schemes:

Firm Faith: When faith fills the heart, it provides unshakable security, preventing the soul from slipping into doubts or despair during hardship.
Remembrance and Prayer: Continuous remembrance of Allah repels the devil, removes anxiety, and fills the chest with tranquil strength Ar-Ra'd 13:28, An-Naml 27:89, Al-Anbiya 21:103, Al-Anfal 8:45, Al-Ahzab 33:41-43. Believers combine sincere petition for their needs with worship that glorifies Allah in hope and reverence Al-A'raf 7:55-56.
Righteous Companionship: Surrounding oneself with pious friends shields the heart from spiritual pitfalls. Worldly friendships built upon disobedience turn into enmity in the Hereafter, whereas bonds rooted in piety endure forever Az-Zukhruf 43:67, Al-Furqan 25:27-28. Even prophets were commanded to keep the company of sincere worshippers Al-Kahf 18:28, Ash-Shu'ara 26:83, Yusuf 12:101.

«فالصحبة الصالحة حصنٌ حصينٌ للمرء من الانزلاق في مزالق الشيطان وشروره، فلقد حثنا الله والنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم على اختيار وملازمة الصحبة الصالحة؛ فالرسول صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم وهو خير خلق الله على الإطلاق، يأمره الله بأن يلزم أصحابه.»

موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم

مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية

Volume 10

Human attitude when touched by evil

From the paper: «موقف الإنسان إذا مسه الشر»

People divide into two distinct camps when touched by adversity: a blameworthy response and a praiseworthy one Al-Isra 17:83.

The blameworthy attitude belongs to the disbeliever and the wavering person who worships Allah conditionally on the edge of faith Yunus 10:12, Al-Hajj 22:11, An-Nisa 4:143, An-Nisa 4:141. When blessings flow, they grow arrogant and disregard Allah, but when hardship touches them, they sink into total despair. Others plead earnestly while afflicted, yet forget Allah completely as soon as the hardship lifts, or abandon religion altogether when tested with illness or poverty.

The praiseworthy response belongs to genuine believers, whose hearts remain peaceful and submissive to divine decree Al-Ma'arij 70:19-22. By nature, humans are anxious and self-protective, but devoted prayer molds a believer to remain thankful in prosperity and patient in distress. This steadfastness shines across the stories of the prophets: Ibrahim surrendered to the command regarding his son Al-Baqarah 2:124, As-Saffat 37:102-106, Yusuf persevered through betrayal, temptation, and imprisonment Yusuf 12:90, and Ayyub called upon Allah with exemplary patience across eighteen years of illness and loss Al-Anbiya 21:83.

«وهذا الموقف لا يصدر إلا من أهل الإيمان فهم يتلقون هذه الشدائد والابتلاءات بقلوب صابرة مطمئنة وعامرة بالإيمان بقضاء الله وقدره راضية عن الله تعالى، فالمؤمن يراقب نفسه ويوجهها إلى ما يحب الله ويرضى.»

موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم

مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية

Volume 10

Recompense of evildoers

From the paper: «جزاء الأشرار»

Allah is entirely just and provides respite to wrongdoers without ever neglecting their deeds. Historical nations such as 'Ad, Thamud, and Pharaoh exceeded all bounds in arrogance, only to face devastating worldly punishment through violent winds, deafening blasts, and drowning Al-Fajr 89:6-14, Al-Fajr 89:13, Al-Ankabut 29:40. At death, angels strike the faces and backs of oppressors, stripping away their arrogance with utter disgrace Al-An'am 6:93.

Yet worldly punishment pales in comparison to the torment awaiting the wicked in the Hereafter Al-Qalam 68:33. In the grave, the first station of the afterlife, tyrants like the people of Pharaoh are exposed to fire morning and evening Ghafir 40:46. On the Day of Resurrection, they are dragged upon their faces into the depths of Hell, wearing garments of fire and subjected to scalding misery for their stubborn wrongdoing Al-Furqan 25:34, Al-Hajj 22:19.

«الله عز وجل حكمٌ عدل جعل الجزاء من جنس العمل؛ إنه يمهل الظالم ولا يهمله حتى إذا أخذه لم يفلته ، بل يأخذه أخذ عزيز مقتدر، وفي هذا المبحث سنتناول شيئًا من جزاء الأشرار في الدنيا والآخرة.»

موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم

مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية

Volume 10

Takeaways

Trust Allah's Hidden Wisdom
When a setback strikes, remember that what feels unpleasant to your natural disposition often carries hidden blessings, purification, and spiritual elevation.
Worship Steadfastly in All Conditions
Avoid conditional faith that only endures when circumstances are pleasant. Stand firm in your devotion regardless of whether you experience comfort or severe difficulty.
Cleanse Your Heart of Envy and Malice
Do not wish for the removal of blessings bestowed upon others. Practice wishing well for people, because unchecked envy consumes good deeds.
Keep Righteous Friends and Avoid Slander
Surround yourself with companions who remind you of Allah, and protect your tongue from circulating harmful rumors or attacking reputations.

Reflect

Reflect on a past disappointment in your life: can you now see any divine protection or hidden good behind it?
How do you usually react when unexpected hardship touches your health or finances: with despair, or patient trust in Allah?
Do you worship Allah with consistency, or does your devotion waver depending on worldly ease and difficulty?

Go deeper

Linguistic meaning

Linguistically, the root letters sheen and raa indicate spreading, flying sparks, and dispersion. Evil is the opposite of good, denoting corruption, fault, and anything people naturally recoil from.

قال ابن فارس: «الشين والراء أصل واحد يدل على الانتشار والتطاير».

موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم

مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية

Volume 10

Technical meaning

Technically, scholars define evil as that which is incompatible with sound human disposition. It acts as an umbrella term encompassing vices, sins, corruption, harms, and afflictions.

لا يختلف المعنى الاصطلاحي للشر عن المعنى اللغوي فقد عبر العلماء عن اصطلاح الشر بقولهم: «هو عدم ملائمة الشيء الطبع»، أي: أن الشر اسمٌ جامع للرذائل والخطايا، والسوء، والفساد، وكذلك المصائب والبلايا، كما جاء في معاجم اللغة.

موسوعة التفسير الموضوعي للقرآن الكريم

مركز تفسير للدراسات القرآنية

Volume 10

How it differs from related terms

السّوء Distress / Grievous Harm: While closely synonymous with evil, this term carries an even harsher and more severe meaning of hardship, grief, and moral wickedness.
المصيبة Calamity / Affliction: Evil is broader and more comprehensive than calamity; every calamity is an evil to the one it strikes, but not all evil is a calamity.
الضّر Harm / Adversity: Evil always entails harm and detriment, whereas adversity may sometimes contain underlying benefit, like drinking bitter medicine to regain health.
الخير Good: Good represents whatever is universally desirable, beneficial, and virtuous, serving as the complete opposite of evil in every dimension.