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alladhīna yanquḍūna ʿahda llāhi min baʿdi mīthāqihī wa-yaqṭaʿūna mā ʾamara llāhu bihī ʾan yūṣala wa-yufsidūna fī l-ʾarḍi ʾulāʾika humu l-khāsirūna
—those who break the covenant made with Allah after having pledged it solemnly, and sever what Allah has commanded to be joined, and cause corruption on the earth—it is they who are the losers.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 27
Those who break the Covenant of Allah after its confirmation and cut asunder what Allah has commanded to be joined, and they make corruption on the Earth; - they are the losers. (2:27)
The Real Losers!
In the aforementioned verse, the subject was partly based on the wrong-doers and their mischievous deeds. In this verse, these people are introduced clearly by three qualities: Referring to the first quality it says:
Those who break the covenant of Allah after its confirmation... (2:27)
Then, it refers to their second quality, saying:
...and cut asunder what Allah has commanded to be joined... (2:27)
Many of the commentators have pointed out that this verse refers especially to the desertion of kinsfolk and breaking off ties of relationship. But careful attention to the concept of the verse leads us to a broader and more general meaning, in which the desertion of kinsfolk is one of its examples. The evidence that supports the above idea is that the verse indicates that the makers of corruption cut the ties that Allah has commanded to remain fixed and firm. These joining ties cover the union of kindred, meeting of friends, social relationships, connections with the divine leaders, and relation with Allah. Therefore, we should not confine the meaning of the verse to a single idea alone.
In some Islamic narrations, however, the phrase: ‘What Allah has commanded to be joined’ is rendered in connection with Amir al- Mu’minin Imam ‘Ali (‘a) and the entire Ahl al-Bayt, the immaculate, (‘a). The third quality of the makers of corruption on the earth, which is lastly referred to in this verse, is:
…and they make corruption on the Earth… (2:27)
It is, of course, evident that they have neglected the path of Allah and disobeyed Him. These disbelievers, who do not observe mercy even towards their relatives, certainly treat others with cruelty. They pursue their own pleasures and personal interests. It does not matter to them where the society may be led. Their central aim is to increase their profit and to obtain their desires. They do not care if they must do any wrong or commit any offense to reach their goals. It is obvious how destructive the result of this kind of thinking and acting may be in the society.
The Qur’an, at the end of this verse, says:
...they are the losers. (2:27)
Truly, it is so. What a greater loss than this that a man spends his entire physical and spiritual capital on the way to the destruction and disaster of his own life! What fate can they have save this dreadful one when some people step out of the circle of obedience to Allah’s Command to the extent of the meaning of the term / fisq / ‘mischief’? Mischief, in Islam, is one the most abhorred crimes, as the Qur’an says:
Mischief is more grievous than murder(2:217).
This is one of the many indications that Islam stands for peace on earth and never tolerates anything which disturbs it.