I’m trying to move my old blog Making Memories over so till it’s successfully migrated, I’ll post a few of my old articles here. This one is about oppression and I had written it for An-Nisaa (South Africa).
I was told a story once which truly humbled me and taught me many lessons. It is about a Muslim’s brother’s true experience. The names, place and time do not matter for what happened to this brother could happen to anyone at any place and at any time.
For the sake of ease, I shall call the brother `Imran and I am sharing this story in the hopes that you too may gain some benefit from it.
`Imran grew up in a practising Muslim household. His parents had been through their share of hard times. Having tasted the rich life and lost it, they were careful never to be arrogant nor to be ungrateful for life’s many blessings. Their society however, was a different story altogether. There was a huge divide between the “haves” and “have-nots”. It was not unusual to see the some of the rich desensitized to the plight of the poor. It was also not unusual to see the poor accustomed to the callous and indifferent treatment from the rich.
On one occasion, two of `Imran’s schoolmates asked him out. Thinking that it was going to be a relaxing drive in the car, he accepted the invitation. What he did not know was that the boys had a completely different idea of fun.
The boys proceeded to the slums where the poor and downtrodden lived and took out a box of eggs. `Imran began to feel uneasy but tried to dismiss the negative thoughts. As they sped through the streets, his acquaintances began to throw the eggs at unsuspecting victims, hooting with glee.
Realising their true agenda, `Imran was desperate to stop them. He shouted at them to stop, but they were having way too much fun to listen and drove on even faster. To this day, he remembers feeling anger and shame… he remembers saying, “Astaghfirullah!” over and over again, wanting no part in their cruel game.
Some of you may think that this was over-reaction on `Imran’s part – surely there is no harm in a little practical joke, you might say. Well, what was a night of laughs and giggles for the boys was a night of hurt for others. `Imran recalled looking back to see a child by the road, struck hard in the face. The little one’s stunned expression – he was almost too shocked to cry – pained him terribly. Another victim was an old man who was on his bicycle. Upon being hit, he lost control and tumbled to the ground. Others were to follow much to the twisted delight of these boys. It was more than mischief – it was plain meanness and a disregard for the dignity of others.
`Imran later left and resolved never to keep company with them again. Guilt and sadness tormented him every time he thought about the folks who became victims for the sole reason that they were poor and powerless. The boys knew that none of them would ever dare take them to task. They feared no repercussions – they had fast cars to make a quick getaway and friends in high places who could buy them out of trouble even if they were caught.
Within the same week, the boys came calling at his house again. `Imran stepped out the back door and instructed his siblings to tell them that he was “not in the house”. He did not want to lie, but he had had enough of them.
The very next day, `Imran turned the pages of the morning newspaper and read a piece of news that shocked him – those acquaintances had been involved in an accident the night before. One sustained serious injuries and the other died – the one who had thrown the eggs.
To this day, `Imran gets the chills when he thinks about the prank, the fate of the two boys and what could have happened to him.
The Sin of Oppression… and where it can lead you
Oppression is committed when one wrongs another and this may include a number of things such as cheating, persecution, slander, abuse and so on. It is a major sin in Islam – Abu Dharr radhiallahu `anhu reported Allah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam as saying: “Allah the Most High says: ‘My servants, I have prohibited injustice to Myself and have made it prohibited among you; do not oppress each other, then.'” [Muslim]
We are often careless with our words and actions – we trivialise a wrong we have done and forget that we will be held accountable for our actions. However, we should always bear in mind that all our actions are recorded – “So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom [or a small ant], shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom [or a small ant], shall see it.” [Al-Zalzalah 99: 7-8] Sometimes the punishment is swift and sometimes, it is delayed… but it WILL be meted out because Allah is Most Just.
We fear poverty and bankruptcy in this world but forget that our wrongdoings, particularly those inflicted on another can bankrupt us in the Hereafter. Allah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam asked, “Do you know who is the [penniless] poor?” The listeners replied: “Messenger of Allah, the poor among us is the one who does not have any money or property.” Then the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “The poor, in my nation [Ummah] is that person who will come on the Day of Resurrection backed with prayers, fasting, Zakat, and Hajj; but also with a number of injustices to others, such as; abusing this one, taking the property of that one, slandering one, hitting another, or shedding the blood of someone else. Thereafter, his good deeds will be taken one after one and given to this person or that person, who were wronged by him. If his good deeds have been exhausted before his wrong deeds are all settled, some of the evil deeds of the wronged persons will be allocated to him, and he will be thrown into the Fire.” [Muslim and Tirmidhi]
We have not been given our wealth, property and status so we can flaunt them or lord them over others. We have a duty towards the less fortunate – we are to help and protect them. Brother `Imran’s story mirrors another from the time of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, which tells of a man who made sport of a weaker human being. In it, the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam confirmed that a nation which does not help the opprressed will not receive the blessings of Allah:
Jabir radhiallahu `anhu reported: When Mecca was conquered, Muslims, who had [earlier] migrated to Abyssinia returned and met the Prophet. He sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam asked them to tell something strange about the Abyssinian people. Then some young men said: “Yes, Messenger of Allah! Once we were sitting and saw a very old woman passing by with a jug of water on her head. She passed by a young man who put his hand between her shoulders and pushed her so hard that she fell down and broke the water jug. The old woman stood up then, looked at him, and said: ‘You treacherous villain! You will learn on the Day when Allah will gather the former and the latter [peoples]; when hands and feet will tell about what they did, then you will know! That day the matter between you and me will be settled.'” On hearing that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam remarked: “She has spoken the truth. How can Allah bless a nation which does not help its weak ones against its strong?” [Ibn Majah and Baihaqi]
Fear the Du`aa of the Oppressed
Allah alone knows what passed through the lips of those poor people `Imran’s acquaintances mistreated that night. What we do know is that Allah in His Infinite Mercy has given the weak a mighty weapon against the oppressors – the du`aa. Look at the fate of those who had wronged the Prophets `alayhimus salaam. The people of Nuh were besieged with flood; the people of Hud were struck with a severe drought and then a violent gale and the people of Saalih were destroyed by an earthquake.
The Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said “Fear the du`aa of he who has been wronged for verily, it ascends to the skies faster than sparks [of light].” [narrated by al-Hakim from ibn `Umar] Another hadeeth reported by Anas ibn Malik radhiallahu `anhu says: “Fear the du`aa of he who has been wronged, even if he is a disbeliever, for there remains no veil between it.” [narrated by Ahmad & Abu Ya`la]
Allah has sworn that He will come to help the one who has been oppressed. “Three people’s du`aa are never rejected: the one who is fasting, until he breaks his fast; the just ruler and the one who has been wronged. Allah raises it above the clouds and the doors of the skies are opened for it, and the Lord says, ‘By My Honour and Glory! I will help you, even if it be after some time!'” [Tirmidhi]
Then there are the stories about the companions which clearly illustrate how the supplication of the oppressed is answered to.
Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas radhiallahu `anhu was the governer of Kufah during the caliphate of `Umar ibn al-Khattab. Upon receiving some complaints about his governer, the Amir ul-Mu’mineen sent a few messengers to Kufah investigate the matter. They found that the people had only good things to say about Sa`d save those in one masjid. A man named Abu Sa`d rose and said, “If you are really asking us by Allah, then know that he was not just in his judgements, nor did he distribute the booty equally, nor was he easy with us.” Sa`d radhiallahu `anhu, upon being so accused, supplicated, “O Allah! If he is lying, then take away his sight and give him a long life and make trials afflict him.” The du`aa of Sa`d proved to be mustajjab – the narrator of the incident said, “I saw him after a long time, blind, his eyes were drooping [out of old age], and he used to harass the little girls as they walked in the alleys. Whenever he was asked, “How are you?”, he would respond, “I am an old man, great trials have befallen me! The du`aa of Sa`d has been inflicted upon me.” [al-Bukhari, Ahmad & others]
So, What Can We Do?
Remember that accusing another wrongly, taking advantage of his weakness, besmearing his reputation, mistreating him, abusing him and not fulfilling his rights constitute oppression. These are things we should always bear in mind:
[1] Repent & Seek Forgiveness
We may oppress another, out of anger or spite or even unknowingly. We must turn to Allah and seek His forgiveness. Most importantly, we must seek the pardon of the person we have wronged, for “Allah will forgive, to whoever He wills, any sins against Himself, but He will not forgive any right due to people.” [from a hadeeth in Muslim & Tirmidhi]
We should not delay in seeking forgiveness, as the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “If anyone has done wrong to his Muslim brother as regards his honour or any other thing, he should make reparation to him before a Day on which there will be no Dinar or Dirham. If he had any good deeds to his credit, they will be taken away from him in the size of his wrong doing, and if he did not have any good deeds, the evil deeds of the other (the wronged) will be loaded upon him, and he will be thrown to the Fire.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
[2] Do not associate with the oppressors
Allah Most High says: “And do not lean on those who do wrong lest the Fire should touch you. You have no patrons besides Allah; Otherwise you will not be supported.” [Hud 11:113]
There are people who attempt to win favours from influential people and not only turn a blind eye to their wrongs, but also abet in their sins. Ibn Mas’ud radhiallahu `anhu reported Allah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam as saying: “There will come rulers surrounded by low types of people and those rulers will oppress the people and tell lies. Anyone who calls upon them, believes their lies, and helps them in their oppression, does not belong to me, nor I belong to him, and anyone who neither calls upon them nor supports them in their tyranny belongs to me and I belong to him”. He also reported that the Prophet said: “The one who supports a tyrant becomes a subject to him.” [Ahmad & Ibn Habban]
The salaf were just as contemptuous of such sycophants. A tailor came to Sufyan al-Thawri and said: “I sew the Sultan’s clothes. Am I a supporter of the tyrants?” Sufyan replied: “You are one of the tyrants themselves! The supporters are those who sell needles and thread to you.”
[3] Come to the aid of the oppressed
Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala says: “You are the best community that has been raised for mankind. You enjoin good and forbid evil and you believe in Allah.” [Al-i-`Imran, 3:110] It is the duty of every Muslim to do his utmost to correct a wrong – “Whoever amongst you sees an evil should change it with his hand. If he is unable to do that, then with his tongue. If he is unable to do that, then with his heart, and that is the weakest level of Iman.” [Muslim]
If we see someone being wronged, we should come to his aid. The Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “Do not stand around a place where an oppressed person is being beaten without coming to defend him, because Allah’s curse descends upon such a place.” [Tabarani] He sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam also said, “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or oppressed.” When argued: “I can help the oppressed one, but how can I help the oppressor?”, he replied: “By preventing him from doing wrong, and that is helping him.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
Let us inshaa Allah follow in the footsteps of the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, his noble companions and the pious predecessors. Let us encourage one another to birr and taqwa. May Allah keep us steadfast and give us the best of Jannah… ameen.
I wrote this article some years ago for a South African Islamic Magazine, An-Nisaa.
Before I was married, I worked in a Muslim self-help group. In my five years there, I was involved in various family, youth and educational programmes for the community. It was hard work and often emotionally draining. Nevertheless, the experience was invaluable experience. It gave me an opportunity to work with passionate Muslims who wanted to make the world a better place – it was exciting and yet at the same time, humbling.
It was there that I truly opened my eyes to the problems that the ummah is facing. It was there that I came into contact with people who were poor and who were afflicted with problems that I had never even conceived of. It was also there that I saw heroic figures striving against almost insurmountable odds.
This world of ours that places a great emphasis on image and illusion often overlooks these anonymous souls who plod along with solid virtues and fervent hope. I have learnt many valuable lessons from these unsung heroes. One that comes to mind is the one about charity and selflessness…
Once, the self-help group organised a large trade fair. Among the activities conducted over the 3-day event was fundraising. It was no easy task – the volunteers had to stand with cash boxes for long hours and approach visitors for donations. Many generous souls gave but I noticed that a significant number refused. Still others would rush past the volunteers, pretending not to see or hear them.
An old lady walked close by as I was chatting to the volunteers. She was wearing shabby clothes and an old and faded headscarf . On her tired feet were slippers which were cheap and worn. In a crowd of fashionably dressed, if not affluent, people, she stood out like a sore thumb. Her poverty was so obvious that I could not help but feel sad. I felt guilty as well because I realised how I had not, before that, fully appreciated the comfort and ease that Allah had bestowed upon me.
The old lady had a kind smile and watched the volunteers as they tried to ask members of the public to donate. If she felt awkward about her shabby appearance or distressed about her needy state, she did not show it. She stood for a long while, staring wistfully, as if deep in thought. I began to wonder if she was thinking of approaching us for financial help. Many would attend the organisation’s events in the hope of joining a financial assistance programme.
Then, I saw her clutching something in her hand and closely examining it. I realised that she was busy counting some coins. Again, I felt a wave of sympathy – the poor lady was trying to figure out if she had enough for her bus ride home or for some food, I thought. I could not help but to compare her to all the others – they had come keen to spend unstintingly on all the pretty clothes, fancy housewares and delicious food, while she had to think more than twice about parting with only a few cents.
She then began to move resolutely to the volunteers, who smiled at her encouragingly. She dropped a few coins into the box hurriedly and smiled shyly. Sounding embarrassed and awkward at what she must have thought was a paltry amount, she said, “I know it isn’t much… I just wanted to help.”
I tear up every time I think of that old lady, who had so little and yet looked beyond her own needs because she wanted to give… because she wanted to do her bit. Her actions remind me of the hadeeth about the dirham that triumphed over the hundred thousand dirhams.
Abu Dawood and Al-Hakim reported that Abu Hurairah radhiallahu `anhu narrated that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “A dirham won the race against a hundred thousand dirhams.” A man asked, “How, O Messenger of Allah?” He sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said, “A man who had great wealth and who spent a hundred thousand dirhams from it in charity, in contrast to a man who has only two dirhams and gave away one of them in charity.” [an-Nasa`i, ibn Khuzaimah & ibn Hibban – hasan]
Give and You will be Given!
That humble old lady, with all of her limited means, was a shining example of selflessness. As Muslims, we want to do our utmost to serve our Lord. We want to further the cause of Islam and we want to do it in a huge way. This is a noble ambition, but in our pursuit for the greater good and the big picture, we sometimes lose sight of the little deeds that may be our stepping stones to Jannah.
Abu Dharr radhiallahu `anhu reported: “The Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said, ‘Do not belittle any good deed, even meeting your brother [Muslim] with a cheerful face.'” [Muslim]
There are numerous verses in the Qur`an that exhort us to spend in the cause of Allah. Charity is referred to as a “goodly loan” to inspire us and to encourage us to give – Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala said, “Who is he that will lend to Allah a goodly loan so that He may multiply it to him many times? And it is Allah that decreases or increases [your provisions] and unto Him you shall return.” [Surah al-Baqarah 2:45]
Allah has promised us a great reward for our altruism – “Those who spend on their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” [Surah al-Baqarah 2:262]
In addition, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said, “Allah the Exalted said, ‘Spend, O son of Adam and Allah will spend on you.'” [al-Bukhari & Muslim]
The Benefits of Sadaqah
Abu Dhar al-Ghifari once said, “The prayer is the pillar of Islam, Jihad is the pillar of deeds and charity is an amazing thing, charity is an amazing thing, charity is an amazing thing.” [Tanhibul Ghafilin] Indeed, there are abundant rewards in this act. Allah said, “The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is as the likeness of a grain [of corn], it grows seven ears and each year has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allah is All Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.” [Surah al-Baqarah 2:261]
There are numerous rewards to be reaped from sadaqah. Allah has promised Paradise to those who give for His sake. Sadaqah helps to cleanse the Muslim’s heart of greed, stinginess and the excessive love of the pleasures of this world. It also cleanses the money and the body of sins – Allah said, “Take Sadaqah from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it.” [Surah at-Tawba 9:103]
Sadaqah extinguishes sins and punishment in the Fire. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said, “Avoid hellfire even by a part of a date [that you give away in charity].” [al-Bukhari & Muslim] He also said, “Sawm [Fasting] is a junnah [shield] and sadaqah extinguishes sin, just as water extinguishes fire.” [Sahih at-Targhib wat-Tarhib, al-Albani]
Avoid Miserliness
Greed and selfishness often hinder us from giving to others. We dislike seeing our wealth diminish and we worry about poverty striking us. This shows a lack of tawakkul in Allah and His promises for Allah has assured us that He would compensate us, both in this world and the hereafter if we were to spend for His sake.
Abu Hurairah radhiallahu `anhu said that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said, “Wealth is not diminished by giving in charity. Allah augments the honour of one who forgives; and one who displays humbleness towards another seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah exalts him in ranks.” [Muslim]
In a hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhari, the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said, “Who among you loves the wealth of his inheritors more than he loves his wealth?” They said, “Everyone among us loves his own wealth more, O Allah’s Messenger!” He said, “Verily one’s wealth is that which he spends while the money he keeps will end up with his inheritor.” This shows us that our wealth INCREASES when we give it away for it adds to our scale of good deeds.
We would do well to emulate the Salaf who were repulsed by tightfistedness. Umm al-Banin, daughter of `Abdul-`Aziz bin Marwan said, “Woe to al-Bukhl [miserliness]! If it was a shirt, I would never wear it and if it was a road, I would never take it.”
They never tired of charity and hated to turn the needy away. `Ali bin al-Hasan bin `Ali would say, when approached by the poor, “Welcome to he who is carrying my provisions for the Last Life.”
Women & Sadaqah
I would often hear women asking, not without some measure of frustration, “What can we sisters do for Islam?” True, there are the day to day hurdles that we face – managing a family, nurturing the children, caring for our elders, doing our utmost at school and in our careers… the list goes on. Our thoughts are occupied and our agendas full.
However, with a little creativity and dedication, we will find that there are many avenues for us. Charity is but one of them. Let us remember that the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam specifically encouraged the women to spend in the way of Allah. He said, “O women, give charity even from your jewellery.” [al-Bukhari]
He sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam also urged women to repel the Fire by giving: “O women! Give charity and seek Allah’s forgiveness frequently for I saw that you comprise the majority of the people of the fire.” [Muslim]
The female companions of the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam took his advice to heart. Umm Sinan al-Aslamiyah said that during the preparation for the Battle of Tabuk, she saw a cloak laid in front of the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam on the floor of `Aishah’s radhiallahu `anha house. She said, “… it contained jewellery, bracelets, ear-rings and rings. [Muslim] women had donated these items that filled the cloak to help Muslims in preparation of the battle.” [Al-Isabah fi Tamyeez as-Sahabah, by Ibn Hajar, vol.4, p.350]
Even poverty did not deter them from giving. `Urwa radhiallahu `anhu said regarding `Aishah radhiallahu `anha: “I witnessed `Aishah give away 70 thousand but she would mend her garments.”
What Can We Do?
Let us not delay further in doing this good deed. There is a beautiful piece of advice from Amr bin Qais al-Milai, who said, “If you hear about an aspect of righteousness, perform it even once so that you become among its doers.”
Here are a few ideas on how we can give in charity:
[1] Actively seek out the needy person
`Ali bin al-Hasan used to carry bread on his back, following the needy at night, saying, “Charity given at night extinguishes the Lord’s anger.” [As-Siyar, vol. 4, p.393] Sisters can take an active role by making enquiries with masajid and various organisations that provide assistance for the needy. Many which serve the poor, the handicapped and the old are often in need of donations in cash and in kind to keep operations running. Set aside a certain amount from your income and allowance each month to give to these organizations. Spread the word and encourage other sisters to chip in.
[2] Care for the orphans & under-privileged
One can donate to orphanages or participate in various orphan sponsorship programmes in various poverty-stricken or war-torn countries such as Afghanistan, Chechnya, China, Africa and so on. If one’s finances do not permit, one can invite the poor and the orphans to a meal and share the favours that Allah has bestowed upon oneself. `Abdullah bin `Umar, for instance, always made sure that an orphan shared his meals. Remember what the Messenger of Allah said: “I and the caretaker of the orphan will be like this in Paradise,” and he pointed with his index and middle fingers. [al-Bukhari]
[3] Give what you love
This may be a particularly difficult task for surely, we want to keep what we love for ourselves. We would prefer to give away what we have no need of or no longer like. However, we must bear in mind that “By no means shall you attain Al-Birr [piety, righteousness, Paradise] unless you spend of what which you love; and whatever good you spend, Allah knows it well.” [Surah al-Imran 3:92]
I know of a sister in Pakistan who raises money for the poor by selling the good and expensive gifts she receives from others. Even though she could surely use some of the appliances and decoration pieces for herself, she keeps her life simple so she can concentrate on da`wah and charity.
[4] Take advantage of every opportunity
What can sisters who have no income or allowance do? Well, take heart for charity is not just financial. Abu Hurairah radhiallahu `anhu reported: The Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said, “Every day the sun rises, charity is due on every joint of a person: if one judges between two persons with justice, it is an act of charity. If one helps a person to mount his beast, or helping him load his luggage on it, all this will be regarded as charity. A good word is an act of charity and every step one takes to offer the congregational prayer is regarded as charity and removing harm from the road is regarded as charity.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
[5] Be creative
There are numerous ways in which we can do charity – big and small. Each of us has our own skills, talents and inclinations. What we need to do is to take advantage of every opportunity. One can be kind to animals – we know of the unchaste woman who was granted Jannah for giving drink to a thirsty dog. We are also told that a smile is sadaqah.
Let us encourage each other to Birr and Taqwa.
HomeWorks – Where Living is Learning
Click on the image above to read the magazine online.
Here are some documentaries we’ve used in learning Science and Natural history. These were written and presented by Sir David Attenborough in conjunction with the BBC Natural History Unit. Attenborough considers himself an agnostic and strongly opposes creationism, but when Mars watched the videos, all she could say was, “How can he NOT believe that there is a God?”
Which documentaries have you found beneficial?