Ibn Taymiyyah: Corruption on earth is due to disobedience and Shirk

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ﴾

{Evil (sins and disobedience of Allaah, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that Allah may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allah, and begging His Pardon).} [Surah al-Room (30): 41]

Shaikh al-Islaam, Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:

Whoever contemplates on what is going on in the world, will find that the reason for every goodness is due to Tawheed and worship of Allaah تعالى and obedience to His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم. And as for all the evil in the world - the Fitnah (trial), the hardship, the drought, being overpowered by the enemy and other than that - then the reason for it is opposing the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم and calling upon other than Allaah (i.e. Shirk).

So whoever sincerely contemplates on this, will find that this is the case – specifically in himself and in other than him, generally and specifically. And there is no might or power except with Allaah.

[Majmoo` al-Fataawa (15/25)]

Note: If one were to re-read the statement of Shaikh al-Islaam رحمه الله more keenly, they will see a distinct feature in the way he رحمه الله arranged those words.

When he رحمه الله mentioned “goodness”, he began with Tawheed and Worship of Allaah, and then mentioned obedience to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.

But when he رحمه الله mentioned “evil”, he first mentioned disobedience to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم before Shirk.

Know the reason why?

Because it happens that among those who claim to be upon Tawheed, SOME of them intentionally oppose the Sunnah without realizing the grave error.

Opposing the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, in matters big or small, is the beginning of all destructions.

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَن تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ﴾

{And let those who oppose the Messenger's (Muhammad’s) commandment beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant) should befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.} [Surah al-Noor (24): 63]

Imaam Ahmad رحمه الله said: “Do you know what the Fitnah is? The Fitnah is Shirk. May be the rejection of some of his words would cause one to have doubt and deviation in his heart and thereby be destroyed.”

One great example that nobody should forget is when the Archers رضي الله عنهم أجمعين failed the Prophet's command on the day of Uhud. The victory turned into defeat.