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Allah has distinguished between the periods before and after the coming of the message in certain designations and rulings, while treating them alike in others. This is evidence against both groups: those who say that actions are neither good nor bad, and those who say that people deserve punishment, on either of the two views.

As for the first position, Allah called them wrongdoers, transgressors and corrupters, as in His words:

“Go to Pharaoh; indeed, he has transgressed.”

And His words:

“And when your Lord called Moses, ‘Go to the wrongdoing people—the people of Pharaoh. Will they not fear Allah?’”

And His words:

“Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and divided its people into factions, oppressing one group among them, slaughtering their sons and sparing their women. Indeed, he was one of the corrupters.”

Thus, He described Pharaoh and his people as wrongdoers, transgressors and corrupters. These are designations that condemn actions, and condemnation applies only to evil, bad actions. This shows that actions can be bad and blameworthy before the Messenger comes to people. Yet they do not deserve punishment until the Messenger has come to them, for Allah says:

“We never punish until We have sent a messenger.”

Likewise, He relates that Hūd said to his people:

“Worship Allah; you have no