When we think of oppression (dhulm), we usually think of evil dictators and corrupt governments, but we forget to look at the dhulm we did with our own hands.
Maybe we’re thinking: But there’s no way I’d commit an act of oppression!
So here are examples of oppression that people often do, sometimes with zero remorse:
— Disrespecting our parents is dhulm.
— Not paying back the money we owe is dhulm.
— Not returning something we borrow is dhulm.
— Stealing people’s content is dhulm.
— Taking credit of someone’s work is dhulm.
— Sharing and revealing someone else’s secret is dhulm.
— Backbiting, slandering, and spreading tales about others is dhulm.
— Withholding shelter, food and drink from one’s pets is dhulm.
All of these, and more, are a form of oppression.
And the greatest form of dhulm is to commit shirk.
In our Deen, dhulm means to put something in a place that it does not belong, i.e. to misplace rights. So if a person withholds a right from their spouse / family / community — a right that has been mandated by Allah — then that is dhulm.
What’s also important to note is that dhulm also means every time we sin, we’ve actually oppressed ourselves. Because we’re not giving ourselves our due right when we expose ourselves to Allah’s punishment. And Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says:
🔷 ❛And Allah does not love ad-dhalimeen [the oppressors].❜ 【Surah Ali Imran 3:57】
🔷 ❛And Allah guides not the people of ad-dhalimeen [oppressors].❜ 【Surah al-Baqarah 2:258】
In these aayat, we learn that those who commit dhulm will lose out two major blessings from Allah: His Love, and His Guidance. This is a severe warning from our Rabb.
So do not consciously oppress any creation of Allah. If our circle of friends is backbiting someone, do not sit with them. If we see someone being cruel towards animals, stop them. And if you are one of those people who abuse their spouse and children, then let it be known that you have trespassed a major boundary in our Deen.
We seek refuge with Allah from oppressing anyone, and from being oppressed by others. May Allah help us be just in our affairs, help those who are oppressed and bring an end to the tyranny of their oppressors.
Your sister in Deen,
Aida Msr ©
