And His words: “Do not spread corruption on earth after it has been set right.” (al-Aʿrāf 7:56)

— lā: a prohibitive particle.
— “spread corruption on earth”: through polytheism and acts of disobedience.
— “after it has been set right”: by the sending of the prophets, the legislation of the rulings, and the performance of righteous deeds.

Overall meaning of the verse: Allah, exalted is He, forbids His servants to corrupt the earth—by sins and by calling others to obey created beings in disobedience to the Creator—after He has set it aright through the mission of the messengers, the clarification of the revealed law, and the summons to obey Him. Worshipping anyone besides Allah, calling to other than Him, associating partners with Him, oppression, and every act of disobedience are the greatest forms of corruption on earth.

Relevance of the verse to this chapter: Whoever calls people to seek judgment by other than what Allah has revealed has committed the most serious corruption on earth.

Lessons derived from the verse:

1. Acts of disobedience are corruption on earth.
2. Obedience sets the earth right.
3. Ruling by anything other than what Allah has revealed is corruption on earth.
4. Human welfare and reform can only be achieved by implementing what Allah has revealed.