Oppression or what the Qur’an calls zulm is prohibited; for, it is injustice, darkness, aggression, doing something inappropriate and preventing a right, etc. It is not that you inflict oppression on a person or society, and it ends here; its consequences go to the next world. In a hadith related by Jabir bin Abdullah and preserved in Sahih Muslim, Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said: “Beware of oppression, for oppression will turn into excessive darkness on the Day of Resurrection and beware of niggardliness, for niggardliness destroyed your predecessors.”

The question is what people should do when they see oppression being committed. Islam is very much particular about it. Let’s reiterate that Islam means peace and submission to God. Its chief mission is to establish justice (adl) and equity (qist) on earth and zulm stands in sharp contrast against this grand mission. This is why Islam enjoins people to ‘help’ your brother whether he is an oppressor or an oppressed one. 

In an oft-quoted hadith in Sahih Bukhari, Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said: “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. People asked, “O Allah’s Messenger ﷺ! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet ﷺ said, “By preventing him from oppressing others.” This act of preventing an oppressor from oppressing others requires us to be ever vigilant, and if some oppression appears, to stand against it with whatever we have. 

But what about those who instead of preventing an act of oppression and raising voice against it either choose to collaborate with the oppressor in his aggression or stand aloof and remain mere spectators for whatsoever reason?

As for collaboration with the oppressor, the Prophet’s verdict is loud and clear: “Whoever assists in any dispute, in oppression or collaborates with the oppressor he will continue with the anger of Allah until he perishes (dies).” (Ibn Majah)

Likewise, keeping mum while some oppression is being perpetrated is also no option. It is narrated in the book of Ibn Hibbaan that Allah’s Messenger Muhammad ﷺ said: “If anyone of you sees an aggressive oppressive ruler who makes the unlawful lawful, who dishonours Allah’s Rights, who governs over people not by what Allah has revealed, without rising against him with a word or action, Allah will punish him with the oppressor.” Also, Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said: “The one who is silent about Haq (rights) is a dumb Shaitan (Satan).” (Tabarani)

Therefore, the only option left for us is to raise voice against injustice and oppression in a peaceful and democratic manner. Here we have to remember that all our efforts will yield the desired result only when God helps us; so we must supplicate to Him to bless us with His Mercy and Grace and make our efforts successful.