Sunday, March 20, 2011

Islamic philosophy - Power of the Oppressed!


We get into depression on being oppressed or wronged. Some of us even commit suicide. But fear not. God is Just towards those who have been wronged. He will compensate for the pain we're subject to for no fault of ours! The oppressor could be a leader, husband, king of the occupied state or anyone who oppresses others in any circumstance. He/ she could be a person who has caused harm or hurt someone. We should endure with 'Patience' to get fruits of it. Of course, committing suicide is a sin and the one who commits it loses out on the benefits granted to the 'oppressed person'.


Allah's Apostle said, “Whoever has oppressed another person concerning his reputation or anything else, he should beg him to forgive him before the Day of Resurrection when there will be no money (to compensate for wrong deeds), but if he has good deeds, those good deeds will be taken from him according to his oppression which he has done, and if he has no good deeds, the sins of the oppressed person will be loaded on him.” {Volume 3, Book 43, Number 629: Sahih Bukhari} God is definately the Best Judge. Those who wrong us, hurt us or oppress us (in any way), are indirectly doing us a favour. When on the Day of Judgement, we are falling short of good deeds, the good deeds of our oppressor will come to our aid. If that person has no good deeds to give us, then some of our sins will be passed on to the oppressor!

What if we forgive these people ? Definately, our 'good deeds' scale will go up! And our oppressor's particular deed of oppression will come down. But this seems additional apart from what's in store for us and our oppressors on the Day of Judgement. They of course will compensate us through their good deeds or take load of our sins to the extent of oppression of wrong done.


Every Hadeeth has an in-depth philosophy in itself!


Allah’s Apostle (pbuh) said, “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. People asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet said, “By preventing him from oppressing others.”

{Volume 3, Book 43, Number 624:Sahih Bukhari}.

The oppressor and the oppressed both need help. It is a good deed to help the oppressed get their right in this world. Same way, we will be doing a favour on many others (who could have been wrong in the future) , including the oppressor by showing him/ her the right path. This again is a good deed adding to our scale of goodness.


This is reiterated in Quran too.


And what is wrong with you that you fight not in the Cause of Allâh, and for those weak, illtreated and oppressed among men, women, and children, whose cry is: “Our Lord! Rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from You one who will protect, and raise for us from You one who will help.” [004:075: Al Quran]


We will reserve the houses of the hereafter exclusively for those who do not seek self-glory in this life and do not cause oppression and corruption to spread. The final outcome belongs to those who fear (Allah). [028:083: Al Quran]


Here is it clear that God calls upon us all to fight for the cause of the oppressed and the wronged people in the world. There are several of these people all around us. And they're waiting for us to be rescued. Abducted children, molested kids, kids forced into illegal acts, some neighbour being ill-treated by in-laws, a orphan being beaten by his own relatives; injustice, corruption and a lot more issues which affect us and others around us....


Apart from all, the 'oppressed' or 'wronged' person has another power, will can destroy the oppressor. The bad words he mutters against his oppressor in his pain and anger.



The Prophet (pbuh) sent Mu’adh to Yemen and said, “Be afraid, from the curse of the oppressed as there is no screen between his invocation and Allah.”

{Volume 3, Book 43, Number 628: Sahih Bukhari}


But in many places in Quran and Hadeeth, 'non-cursing' is highlighted. Maybe, Allah Himself knows how an oppressed's curse can cause harm. Hence HE has put more rewards for 'Patience' and 'Forgiveness'. So we gain doubly. One - compensation due to being oppressed (from our oppressor himself) plus additional score for 'forgiveness' and 'patience'. But though 'cursing others' or muttering bad words against our oppressor is not highlighted as something good, there is no harm upon us if we say something in total pain and agony. Allah is Understanding and definately the Best Judge!