Surah Al A'raf Tafseer

وَلَا تُفْسِدُواْ فِي الَارْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَحِهَا

And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order,

Allah prohibits causing mischief on the earth, especially after it has been set in order. When the affairs are in order and then mischief occurs, it will cause maximum harm to the people; thus Allah forbids causing mischief and ordained worshipping Him, supplicating to Him, begging Him and being humble to Him.

Allah said,

وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا

and invoke Him with fear and hope,

fearing what He has of severe torment and hoping in what He has of tremendous reward.

Allah then said,

إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ اللّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

Surely, Allah's mercy is (ever) near unto the good-doers.

meaning, His mercy is for the good-doers who obey His commands and avoid what He prohibited.

Allah said in another Ayah,

وَرَحْمَتِي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ فَسَأَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ

And My mercy envelopes all things. That (mercy) I shall ordain for those who who have Taqwa. (7:156)

Matar Al-Warraq said,

"Earn Allah's promise by obeying Him, for He ordained that His mercy is near to the good-doers."

Ibn Abi Hatim collected this statement