Is every progress necessarily good?

The profound question of whether all progress is inherently good necessitates a thorough and comprehensive examination from the perspective of the Holy Quran. The Quran, as a guiding scripture, never posits progress and advancement as an end in themselves. Instead, it emphasizes their outcomes, purposes, and their alignment with divine and ethical principles. Therefore, from a Quranic standpoint, not every advancement is necessarily good, unless it is compatible with spiritual and moral values and leads to the well-being and reformation of humanity and the Earth, rather than corruption and decay. The Holy Quran introduces humanity as Allah’s vicegerent and steward on Earth (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 30). This vicegerency bestows a significant responsibility upon mankind: to cultivate and develop the Earth (Surah Hud, verse 61) and to establish justice. True progress, according to the Quran, must be in line with fulfilling this responsibility. If any advancement, whether in science and technology, economics, or social structures, leads to oppression, corruption (fasad), environmental degradation, or deviation from the path of truth, it is not merely considered 'good.' On the contrary, it is a form of 'corruption on Earth' that Allah dislikes intensely. Numerous verses underscore this concept. For instance, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 205, Allah states: 'وَإِذَا تَوَلَّىٰ سَعَىٰ فِي الْأَرْضِ لِيُفْسِدَ فِيهَا وَيُهْلِكَ الْحَرْثَ وَالنَّسْلَ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْفَسَادَ' (And when he turns away [from you], he hastens through the land to cause corruption therein and destroy crops and animal progeny. And Allah does not like corruption). This verse clearly indicates that activities which might outwardly appear to serve material interests or even be regarded as progress, if they result in corruption and the destruction of resources and future generations, are condemned in the sight of Allah. In essence, the Quran draws a clear distinction between 'Salah' (righteousness, reformation, betterment) and 'Fasad' (corruption, decay, destruction). Salah signifies improvement, betterment, and guidance towards good, while Fasad denotes decay, deviation, and demolition. Any form of progress that contributes to the betterment of society and the individual, and aids in the growth of moral and spiritual virtues, is desirable and affirmed. However, progress that leads to arrogance, transgression, exploitation, inequality, or disregard for the rights of others, is not only bad but becomes a source of evil and misery. The history of past nations mentioned in the Quran bears witness to this assertion. The people of Aad and Thamud, despite their remarkable advancements in architecture and physical strength, were subjected to divine punishment due to their arrogance, injustice, and deviation from the straight path. Pharaoh, with all his regal power and splendor, symbolized material progress without divine guidance, which led to arrogance and oppression, ultimately resulting in his destruction. These examples demonstrate that power and knowledge, if not accompanied by piety and justice, transform into instruments of destruction. Furthermore, Surah Al-A'raf, verse 56, warns: 'وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَا وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا ۚ إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ' (And cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good). This verse implies that the Earth has been 'reformed' (made good and functional) by Allah, and it is humanity's duty to preserve this state of order and not to undo it with 'corruption.' 'Progress' in the modern world sometimes entails excessive manipulation of nature, the production of deadly weapons, or the development of technologies that jeopardize privacy and human values. If these 'advancements' lead to environmental destruction, warfare and bloodshed, or moral collapse, they are certainly not good from the Quranic perspective; rather, they are reprehensible and condemned. The Quran emphasizes the crucial balance between this worldly life and the Hereafter. In Surah Al-Qasas, verse 77, it states: 'وَابْتَغِ فِيمَا آتَاكَ اللَّهُ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ ۖ وَلَا تَنْسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَأَحْسِن كَمَا أَحْسَنَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ ۖ وَلَا تَبْغِ الْفَسَادَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُفْسِدِينَ' (But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters). This verse provides a comprehensive framework for any form of progress: one must utilize worldly blessings to achieve eternal bliss, yet not neglect one's rightful share of permissible worldly pleasures. One must do good to others, just as Allah has been good to them, and refrain from causing any corruption on Earth. This signifies that economic and technological advancement is only valuable when it is pursued with the aim of elevating spirituality and ethics, serving humanity, and preserving the environment. Ultimately, the criterion for the 'goodness' of progress lies not in its speed or magnitude, but in its direction and its ethical and divine outcomes. Progress that leads to increased justice, poverty reduction, improved human relations, preservation of human dignity, spiritual growth, and environmental protection is desirable. However, any progress that distances humanity from God, leads to arrogance and selfishness, exacerbates inequality and oppression, and destroys moral and natural foundations, is not only bad but can be a cause of downfall and destruction. Therefore, to evaluate any progress, one must ask: Does this progress bring us closer to God or further away? Does it increase justice and goodness or injustice and corruption? Does it uphold human dignity or trample upon it? The answers to these questions provide the Quranic benchmark for discerning 'good' from 'bad' in the concept of progress. This perspective reminds humans to employ their knowledge and capabilities with divine insight and wisdom, so that the outcomes benefit themselves and all of creation, rather than being a source of harm and regret in this world and the Hereafter.