Al-Baqarah 2:12

<h2>Meaning of Mischief</h2><p>In his Tafsir, As-Suddi said that Ibn `Abbas and Ibn Mas`ud commented, </p><div class="arabic uthmani">وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لاَ تُفْسِدُواْ فِى الأَرْضِ قَالُواْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ </div><p>(And when it is said to them: "Do not make mischief on the earth," they say: "We are only peacemakers.") "They are the hypocrites. As for, </p><div class="arabic uthmani">لاَ تُفْسِدُواْ فِى الأَرْضِ</div><p>("Do not make mischief on the earth"), that is disbelief and acts of disobedience." Abu Ja`far said that Ar-Rabi` bin Anas said that Abu Al-`Aliyah said that Allah's statement, </p><div class="arabic uthmani">وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لاَ تُفْسِدُواْ فِى الأَرْضِ</div><p>(And when it is said to them: "Do not make mischief on the earth,"), means, "Do not commit acts of disobedience on the earth. Their mischief is disobeying Allah, because whoever disobeys Allah on the earth, or commands that Allah be disobeyed, he has committed mischief on the earth. Peace on both the earth and in the heavens is ensured (and earned) through obedience (to Allah)." Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and Qatadah said similarly. </p><h2>Types of Mischief that the Hypocrites commit</h2><p>Ibn Jarir said, "The hypocrites commit mischief on earth by disobeying their Lord on it and continuing in the prohibited acts. They also abandon what Allah …

Are not they indeed the mischief-makers? But they perceive not.

Of a surety, they are the ones who make mischief, but they realise (it) not.

Verily! They are the ones who make mischief, but they perceive not.

In fact, they are the troublemakers, but they are not aware.