Social Justice and the End of Oppression: Foundations for National Prosperity
By Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam
23 October 2025
The Reality, Types, and Consequences of Injustice: A Lesson in Patience, Prayer, and Justice
All praise and gratitude belong to the Almighty, who revealed the Book of Guidance and established the balance of justice, so that no soul may wrong another upon this earth. Blessings and peace be upon the noble and chosen Prophet (peace be upon him), whom the Lord of all worlds sent as a mercy to all creation, and upon his pure family and all his blessed companions, may Allah be pleased with them all. Henceforth…
When I cast my gaze upon the state of our world today, an indescribable anguish grips the deepest chambers of my heart. It feels as though the dark shadow of injustice grows heavier with every passing day, spreading across the horizon of humanity. Oppression is no longer confined to the clash of swords or the thunder of cannons; it has crept into hearts, tongues, and even pens. The peace of our homes lies buried beneath clouds of indifference; the cries of the weak are drowned in the noise of our streets; honesty has breathed its last in the dealings of our markets; and in the offices of authority, the scales of justice have become little more than hollow emblems.
Whatever hope remained, the media, and now social media, has extinguished it. Words have become sharper than blades. Images, draped in smiles, hide the masks of hypocrisy; and tones carry such bitterness that even the fragrance of love feels heavy and strained. Words now burn rather than bind hearts together. Tongues, once a balm, have turned into wounds themselves. And the light of justice seems to have vanished from the faces of those who once bore its reflection.
This scene stirred a storm within the depths of my soul. My heart cried out: “O pen! Rise. Why do you remain silent?” Perhaps your ink may soften a hardened heart; perhaps your words may breathe a spark of life into a dead conscience. Perhaps the Almighty, in His infinite mercy, may guide those lost in the darkness of tyranny toward the radiant path of His justice and light. For He alone is the All-Powerful. At His command, mountains crumble into dust, and by His grace, hearts once sealed are illuminated by the light of faith.
The Meaning of Injustice
In Islam, Zulm (injustice) stands as the very antithesis of ‘Adl (justice). It signifies a disturbance of the natural balance between right and wrong, placing something where it does not belong, depriving someone of their rightful due, or, under the sway of selfish desires, causing harm to others or even to oneself.
In a broader sense, Zulm reflects the misplacement of rights, roles, or actions, using power where mercy is needed, granting privilege where it is undeserved, or withholding what is justly owed. In essence, it is a distortion of the natural and moral order of things: acting out of place, time, or purpose.
Injustice is not limited to the deeds of the hand or the words of the tongue; it is also a subtle poison that seeps into intention, clouding the purity of the heart. Whether expressed in thought, word, or deed, it remains a blemish upon the face of humanity and a deep scar upon the fabric of moral virtue.
The Prohibition of Injustice
In the light of the sacred Shariah, injustice (Zulm) is a clear and unequivocal forbidden act. Its prohibition is affirmed not only by the testimony of the Qur’an and Sunnah but also sealed by the laws of every just legal system in the world. Injustice is not merely an oppression against fellow human beings; it is an open rebellion against the Divine balance of justice established by the Creator.
Such a crime breeds corruption and curse upon the earth, and abstaining from it is a hallmark of true faith and the dignity of servitude to God.
Allah Almighty declares:
“And whoever among you commits injustice—we will make him taste a great punishment.” (Al-Furqan: 19)
And He also says:
“But the wrongdoers will have neither protector nor helper.” (Ash-Shura: 8)
In a sacred hadith Qudsi, narrated by Hazrat Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“O My servants! I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden among you, so do not oppress one another.”
Types of Injustice
Injustice is essentially one poisonous reality, yet its effects manifest in three distinct forms. Each form alienates a person from their Lord, from His creation, and from their own self.
1. Injustice against the Creator, Religion, and the Prophet (peace be upon him):
This is the gravest and most soul-shaking form of injustice because it directly insults the Creator of the universe and His Beloved Prophet (peace be upon him). Allah Almighty says:
“Indeed, those who harm Allah and His Messenger—Allah has cursed them in this world and the Hereafter.” (Al-Ahzab: 57)
This form of injustice shakes the very foundations of faith and pushes a person into the darkness of deprivation from the mercy of the Creator.
2. Injustice against Creation:
This refers to the injustice a person commits against fellow humans or other creatures—be they humans, jinn, or animals. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“Do not envy one another, do not hate one another, do not turn your backs on each other, and do not undercut one another in trade; rather, be servants of Allah and brothers to one another. A Muslim does not wrong his brother, nor does he abandon him, lie to him, or belittle him. The blood, wealth, and honour of every Muslim are sacred to another Muslim.” (Sahih Muslim)
This type of injustice weakens the foundations of society and extinguishes the flames of brotherhood and compassion from hearts.
3. Injustice against Oneself:
The subtlest yet dangerous form of injustice is that which a person commits against their own self, when they destroy their health with poison and intoxicants, drown their soul in sins, or burden themselves beyond their strength.
Types of Injustice According to Action
Verbal Injustice:
This is injustice committed through the tongue such as cursing, slandering, backbiting, or uttering words that wound someone’s dignity and honour.
Physical Injustice:
This involves causing harm through actions, for example, creating loud disturbances that shatter others’ peace, spreading filth, blocking pathways, or engaging in any deeds that cause suffering to God’s creation.
Silent Injustice:
This is remaining silent in the face of wrongdoing when one has the power and ability to stop it. Silence before injustice is itself a form of injustice because it strengthens falsehood and weakens the cause of truth.
Forms and Consequences of Injustice
Injustice takes countless forms, appearing in different shapes across every era. Sometimes it manifests through rulers seated on thrones, who turn power into a tool of oppression rather than justice. At other times, parents become oppressors by violating the rights of their children, and sometimes children share in this guilt by neglecting their duty of respect, care, and obedience towards their parents.
Within family life, spouses causing each other pain, wounding hearts, or neglecting their mutual rights is a deeply sorrowful form of injustice—one that grinds the nest of love into the millstone of hatred and distance.
Likewise, oppressing the weak, orphans, strangers, servants, and voiceless animals stains the fabric of humanity with darkness. When a teacher abuses their authority over a student, or when a student rejects the honour and knowledge of their benefactor, it too falls under the category of injustice.
A deeply troubling and dangerous aspect of our times is that the majority, intoxicated by the pride of their numbers, inflicts oppression upon minorities. They strip them of their rights, interfere with their religious freedoms, and trample upon their feelings and beliefs. To deem any nation, sect, or community inferior solely because of their religion, race, or language is among the gravest forms of injustice. Adopting a double standard of law within the same country, tipping the scales of justice in favour of the powerful, and silencing the cries of the weak—these are the injustices that hollow out the very roots of nations.
Consequently, injustice does not merely suffocate the oppressor; it suffocates the entire society from within. It steals the light of peace, trust, and justice from hearts, weakens social bonds, and drives nations towards decline. From the womb of injustice, sustainable prosperity never emerges; instead, seeds of corruption, rebellion, and destruction are nurtured. Ultimately, injustice burns itself to ashes in its own fire, for justice is the very pillar upon which the edifice of survival and stability stands in the cosmic order.
A nation can be peaceful, safe, and prosperous only when injustice ends in its system. No cry of the oppressed should go unheard. No sigh of the innocent should be ignored between heaven and earth. For where the light of justice fades, the lamps of peace begin to flicker and die.
The Prayer of the Oppressed and a Historical Example
Allah has given the oppressed a heartfelt and encouraging promise: their prayers never go unanswered. The One who created the universe, whose power encompasses every particle and every heart, gives special importance to the cries of the oppressed.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Three prayers are never rejected: the prayer of a just ruler, the prayer of a fasting person when they break their fast, and the prayer of the oppressed. Allah raises this prayer above the clouds, opens the gates of heaven, and says: ‘By My Honour, I will surely avenge you, even if it takes some time.’” (Tirmidhi)
This great promise fills the heart of the oppressed with patience and courage. It keeps the light of hope burning even in the darkest moments of injustice.
Historical Example
History reminds us of how powerful and effective the prayer of the oppressed can be. Historians recount that among the many cruelties of Hajjaj ibn Yusuf Thaqafi, the greatest was the killing of Hazrat Saeed ibn Jubair (may Allah have mercy on him).
Even he was helpless before the power of the oppressed’s prayer. Before his death, Hazrat Saeed ibn Jubair prayed to Allah:
"O Allah! Take revenge for my blood, and make me the last person to be killed by his hand."
Allah accepted his prayer. Hajjaj was struck by a severe and complex illness that damaged his mind. Every time he regained consciousness, he was filled with fear and shame, saying:
"What enmity did I have with Saeed ibn Jubair?"
This event clearly shows that despite all oppression, the power of the oppressed’s prayer is limitless. Allah, in His wisdom and power, surely avenges every injustice.
The Fate of the Oppressors
The pages of history bear witness that Allah has never forgiven those who spread corruption on earth and raise mountains of oppression. Their end holds lessons and warnings, so that future generations learn that the path of injustice leads only to ruin, disgrace, and remorse.
Allah grants the oppressor respite to mend their ways. But when He seizes them, He never lets go. Hazrat Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say:
"Indeed, Allah grants the oppressor delay, but when He seizes him, He does not release him." Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited this verse: "That is the way of your Lord’s taking, when He seizes the towns while they are in wrongdoing. Indeed, His seizure is painful and severe." (Surah Hud: 102) (Sahih al-Bukhari 4686)
Regret and Remorse
The painful picture of oppression’s end is described in the Quran:
"And the Day the wrongdoer will bite on his hands [in regret] and say, 'Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way.'" (Al-Furqan: 27)
This verse shows that injustice brings not only loss in this world but also immense regret and punishment in the Hereafter.
Advice for the Oppressor and the Oppressed
For the oppressor, it is crucial to understand that their end will be grim. If they do not repent and correct their ways, Allah will exact His punishment in this very world. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Avoid oppression, for oppression will appear as darkness on the Day of Judgment.” (Muslim)
For the oppressed, patience, perseverance, and seeking help from Allah are essential. Despite all the hardships, pain, and exile the Prophet (peace be upon him) faced in his life, he remained patient. Eventually, Allah granted him victory and support.
The clear lesson here is that the path of oppression never leads to success, prosperity, or peace. Whether through the heart, tongue, or actions, injustice only brings regret, remorse, and destruction in the end.
Meanwhile, the patience, prayers, and steadfastness of the oppressed not only bring Allah’s protection and aid but also keep alive a light of hope in the darkest times.
The oppressor should reflect on their deeds, repent, and reform, for Allah gives respite but never lets go once He seizes. The oppressed must be patient and raise their pleas to Allah, for the prayers of the oppressed never go unanswered. The Merciful Lord promises to repay every injustice in due time.
Therefore, a society can only truly become a cradle of peace, security, and prosperity when all forms of oppression are eradicated, every individual’s rights are protected, and the light of justice shines in every heart and every place.
Indeed, justice is the pillar upon which the structure of survival, stability, and progress stands. No matter how fierce the storm of oppression, it ultimately turns to ashes by the will of Allah.
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A regular Columnist with NewAgeIslam.com, Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi Dehlvi is a Classical Islamic scholar with a Sufi background and English-Arabic-Urdu Translator.
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