Author: Abu Jurair
The Roles of the Prophet Mohammad, (PBUH), in the Sphere of Civilization (Part 10)
5. Removing Oppression from Society
A Muslim neither practices oppression nor accepts it. A true believing Muslim does not oppress anyone and does not tolerate oppression from others, as all forms of oppression are forbidden in light of the Quran and Sunnah.
Allah (S.W.T) says: «لَا تَظلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظلَمُونَ» (“You neither oppress nor accept oppression.”) He also states: «وَمَن يَظلِم مِّنكُم نُذِقهُ عَذَابا كَبِيرا» (“Whoever commits injustice among you, we will afflict him with a great punishment.”) The Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said in a Hadith Qudsi: “Allah says: O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself, and I have made it forbidden among you as well; so, do not oppress each other.” He instructs us to “avoid oppression, as it will bring many troubles and darkness on the Day of Judgment.”
He also stated: “Whoever commits injustice equivalent to a span of land—taking even a span of the earth wrongfully—Allah will place a span of seven earths around his neck.” The Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, recited this verse: «وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَخذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَآ أَخَذَ ٱلقُرَىٰ وَهِيَ ظَٰلِمَةٌ إِنَّ أَخذَهُۥ أَلِيم شَدِيدٌ» (“Yes! This is how the punishment of your Lord is when He takes account of the people of the villages in a state of oppression; indeed, it is very difficult to bear such retribution.”)
Furthermore, the Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Avoid the harmful supplications of the oppressed; for there is no barrier or veil between the supplication of the oppressed and Allah.”
Three Types of Oppression:
A. The Oppression of Man Against His Creator:
If a servant becomes a disbeliever, Allah says: «وَٱلكَٰفِرُونَ هُمُ ٱلظَّلِمُونَ» (“The real wrongdoers are the disbelievers.”) The greatest oppression against Allah occurs when a servant associates partners with Him and worships others besides Allah. Allah states: «إِنَّ ٱلشِّركَ لَظُلمٌ عَظِيم» (“Indeed, polytheism is a very great oppression.”)
B. The oppression of Man in the right of other than Allah
That is, in the case of other servants and creatures, in the sense that he harasses them in terms of diseases, lives, and property, without reason, the Holy Prophet, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, says: “Anyone who has committed injustice against his brother, for example, has endangered his reputation or caused him some other harm, should ask him for forgiveness today, before the day arrives when dinars and dirhams will not be used, if The oppressor has meritorious and good deeds, as much as the injustice he has committed is taken from his good deeds and given to the oppressed, if the oppressor does not have any good deeds, the evils of the oppressed are brought to his account, that is, the oppressor goes to hell with the evils of the oppressed” And he says: “Whoever usurps the right of his Muslim brother with a false oath, the fire of Hell is obligatory for him and Paradise is forbidden. Someone asked, the right of a Muslim even if it is small? He said: Even if it is the size of a toothbrush.”
C. The oppression of Man in his own right
It means that he pollutes himself with sins and mistakes and disobeys Allah and His beloved Messenger. Allah says: «وَمَا ظَلَمُونَا وَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُم يَظلِمُونَ»”They did not oppress us; But they oppressed themselves.” A person who commits a major sin has actually wronged himself; because he has offered himself for divine punishment, thus he deserves Allah’s curse and distance from His mercy.
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