{And when it is said to them, "Do not cause corruption on the earth," they say, "We are but reformers."}1 The Earth is al-Miqdad, and the indication by "the earth" here is to the World. The address here applies to those who cause corruption through science, those who distort words from their places.
He indeed said: {Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not}2. They are those who speak what they do not know, and measure by their opinions, thinking they are correct—such as one who makes al-Miqdad and the Orphans tools like an adze or a saw and the like. Is this statement not corruption in science? So He said regarding them: {Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not}.3
{And when it is said to them, "Believe as the people have believed," they say, "Should we believe as the foolish have believed?" Unquestionably, it is they who are the foolish, but they know [it] not}4. Can any interpreter explain this statement more clearly than God has explained and clarified it? But they know not; wretchedness and desires have overcome them, stupidity has deceived them, and affliction has overtaken them. God—Majestic is His praise—said: {Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire, and God has sent him astray upon knowledge and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after God? Then will you not be reminded?}5.
His saying: {and God has sent him astray upon knowledge}6 means: despite his knowledge that it is the Truth. God has negated desire from His Prophet—exalted be his glory—saying: {Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination. ❁ It is not but a revelation revealed}7.