Standing Against Oppression: Lessons from the Qur’an and History

Introduction

On the 14^th of Rabiʿ al-Thani in the year 66 AH, al-Mukhtar al-Thaqafi rose to avenge the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (peace be upon him). Both Imam Husayn’s uprising and al-Mukhtar’s movement share a common foundation: resistance against tyranny and standing firm against oppressors. In remembrance of this historical moment, the verse of this week’s reflection is dedicated to the Qur’anic warning against leaning towards injustice:

وَلَا تَرْكَنُوا إِلَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُمْ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنْصَرُونَ

“And do not incline towards those who have wronged, lest the Fire should touch you, and you will have no protectors other than Allah; nor will you then be helped.” (Surah Hud, 11:113)

Messages of this ayah for teenagers and youth

1. Understand How Hated Oppression Is in Allah’s Sight

Injustice is so detested by Allah that even an inner inclination towards oppressors can expose us to His punishment.

Practical Challenge: Each night, reflect on your thoughts and feelings, and if you notice admiration or sympathy for a wrongdoer, ask Allah for forgiveness, guidance, and compensation.

2. Stand Firm with the Oppressed

True dignity lies in siding with the victims, not the oppressors.

Practical Challenge: Identify one local or global cause of the oppressed and show support through awareness, charity, or advocacy.

3. Guard Your Heart Against Sympathy for Oppressors

Even a small inclination towards injustice can count as supporting it.

Practical Challenge: Each week, reflect on whether any of your choices or feelings show hidden support for wrongdoers, and correct them.

4. Be Just in the Digital World

Online likes, shares, posts, and even visits can unintentionally strengthen injustice.

Practical Challenge: Before you click “like” or “share,” ask yourself if it promotes fairness or indirectly empowers wrongdoers.

5. Reject Injustice in Daily Life

Do not normalise backbiting, gossiping, bullying, corruption, or unfairness in school, work, or online spaces.

Practical Challenge: Speak up politely but firmly when you witness unfair treatment among peers.

6. Choose Role Models Wisely

Avoid following or admiring celebrities or leaders who promote harmful values.

Practical Challenge: Identify one positive role model who stands for justice and learn from their life.

7. Value Courage Over Popularity

Standing up for truth may cost popularity, but it earns dignity.

Practical Challenge: In the next group discussion, share an honest opinion even if it is unpopular but fair.

8. See Silence as Complicity

Ignoring injustice is itself a form of leaning towards it.

Practical Challenge: When you hear about injustice in society, share awareness or support a just cause, even with a small action.

Messages of this ayah for parents

1. Practise Justice Within the Family

Children learn fairness when parents avoid favouritism, unfair words, or even small acts of injustice at home.

Practical Challenge: In your next family disagreement, consciously apply fairness and explain to your children why justice matters.

2. Teach Children to Reject Oppression

Conversations about injustice shape children’s values and help them recognise the importance of siding with the oppressed.

Practical Challenge: Share a simple story from history or current events and ask your children what lesson about justice they can learn from it.

3. Encourage Responsibility for Actions

Many young people lean towards wrong choices because they do not feel accountable for the consequences.

Practical Challenge: When your child makes a mistake, guide them to take responsibility and suggest one positive step to make it right and compensate it.

4. Teach Critical Thinking

Help children recognise injustice in media and society.

Practical Challenge: Watch a news story together and discuss whether justice was upheld or ignored.

5. Take Collective Action as a Family Against Injustice

Working together as a household to oppose a wrongdoer teaches children that resisting oppression is a shared duty.

Practical Challenge: Choose one small, practical action as a family – such as supporting a cause, signing a petition, boycotting a product, or raising awareness – that stands against injustice.

6. Raise Voices for the Oppressed

Families can be a voice for justice in their communities.

Practical Challenge: As a family, support one charity or initiative that stands with oppressed people.

Messages of this ayah for imams and religious leaders

1. Highlight Contemporary Relevance

Relate the verse to current struggles faced by Muslims, such as discrimination or war.

Practical Challenge: Dedicate part of your khutbah to one modern issue of injustice and explain the Qur’anic stance.

2. Inspire Active Citizenship

Encourage Muslims to promote justice in their societies peacefully and wisely.

Practical Challenge: Launch a community project addressing a local issue of fairness (e.g., poverty or inequality).