He Who Cares for Himself Will Not Harm Others: A Timeless Call Against Injustice

Introduction

The 28^th of Muharram marks the fall of the Abbasid Caliphate, an event that, beyond its historical significance, offers moral and spiritual lessons for every generation. Though the Abbasids rose to power with promises of justice and with the legitimacy of being from the family of Banu Hashim, their rule soon revealed deep-rooted oppression, especially under Caliph Al-Mansur. Contrary to early assumptions, the Abbasid rulers exercised harshness and persecution towards the Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), the Alawites, and their followers, often exceeding the cruelty of the Umayyad regime.

One of the key reasons behind the downfall of the Abbasids was their continuous and systemic injustice. In all divine traditions, oppression in any form is condemned. Islam clearly outlines different forms of zulm (injustice): injustice to oneself, injustice towards God (such as through shirk), and most gravely, injustice towards fellow human beings. This last form is considered particularly dangerous and unforgivable unless rectified, as it affects not only the individual but also the broader social fabric.

To reflect on this occasion, we turn to a profound saying from Imam Ali (peace be upon him) that teaches a foundational principle in Islamic ethics:

مَنْ أَشْفَقَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ لَمْ يَظْلِمْ غَيْرَهُ (غرر الحكم ودرر الكلم، ج۱، ص۵۹۷)

“Whoever has compassion for himself does not wrong others.” (Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Vol. 1, p. 597)

Educational Messages for Teenagers and Young Adults

Message 1: What You Do to Others, You Do to Yourself

When you wrong someone by lying, bullying, ignoring, humiliating, or taking advantage, you might think you’re “getting ahead”. But in reality, you’re damaging your own soul and future. Islam teaches that injustice always finds its way back to the one who commits it. True strength is treating others with fairness, even when no one is watching.

Practical Challenge:

Think of one moment this week where you may have treated someone unfairly. Make it right, apologise, or change the behaviour. Small steps build a just character.

Message 2: Self-Respect Prevents Harmful Behaviour

Imam Ali’s wisdom shows that true self-respect leads to the respect of others and vice versa. If you understand your own dignity and worth in the eyes of Allah, you won’t find satisfaction in bullying, hurting, or deceiving others – online or in real life.

Practical Challenge:

Next time you’re tempted to mock or harm someone – even jokingly – ask yourself: “Would I feel proud if someone else treated me this way?” Practise empathy before action.

Message 3: Value Yourself by Valuing Others

When you understand that your actions reflect your inner worth, you’ll treat others with dignity. Respecting others is not weakness; it’s a sign of inner strength.

Practical Challenge:

Go through your recent online interactions and remove or edit anything that could be hurtful to others. Choose to speak with kindness.

Message 4: Avoid Internalised Anger

If you’re constantly angry at yourself or life, you’re more likely to lash out. Taking care of your mental health is part of caring for your soul and stops you from projecting pain onto others.

Practical Challenge:

Start a reflective daily journal this week. Write daily about what made you feel good and what made you upset and how you responded to it.

Message 5: Real Justice Begins in Private

Don’t just speak about justice, live it in your small choices and decisions. Cheating on a test or lying to friends may seem private, but they shape your moral self.

Practical Challenge:

Find one “small” injustice in your life that you’ve been justifying (e.g., copying homework) and commit to stopping it starting today. You need to stop the wrong justifications first.

Educational Messages for Parents

Message 6: Teach Fairness (Treat Others as You Want to be Treated) as a Core Value of Faith

Help your children understand that “treat others as you want to be treated” is not just good manners, it is a key Islamic principle called Insāf (fairness). Imam Ali (a.s.) reminds us that those who are truly mindful of themselves avoid harming others. Teaching fairness from a young age nurtures empathy, builds stronger relationships, and strengthens their faith.

Practical Challenge:

This week, use a real-life situation (at school, home, or playground) to help your child reflect: “How would you feel if the same thing happened to you?” Let this question guide their understanding of justice.

Message 7: Teach Justice Through Emotional Awareness

Children learn fairness from emotionally aware parents. When you show your children how you deal with your own frustrations responsibly, you model how to treat others justly. Imam Ali (a) teaches that inward compassion results in outward justice.

Practical Challenge:

During moments of discipline, explain to your children why anger should not lead to harsh words or unfair punishments. Turn these moments into emotional education.

Message 8: Justice Starts at Home

Children learn fairness through how parents divide attention, listen, and apply rules. A just home nurtures emotionally stable children.

Practical Challenge:

Review how you manage sibling disputes, do both sides feel heard? This week, let each child speak before you decide.

Message 9: Build Self-Compassion to Stop Harsh Parenting

Parents who forgive themselves for their mistakes tend to raise more resilient children. Compassion to self prevents emotional harm to others. When you treat your own shortcomings with understanding, you’re more likely to respond to your child’s struggles with patience rather than punishment.

Practical Challenge:

After a moment of parenting frustration, take five minutes to reflect: “Did I act from compassion or from stress?” Adjust next time.

Educational Messages for Imams and Community Leaders

Message 10: Build Communities Rooted in Compassionate Justice

Religious leadership is not just about rituals; it’s about modelling ethics. This hadith reminds leaders that injustice often begins with neglect of the soul. A heart full of spiritual compassion will promote fairness in the community.

Practical Challenge:

Organise a Friday sermon or youth session around this hadith, linking the fall of oppressive powers like the Abbasids to the moral decay that comes from neglecting justice.

Message 11: Preach What You Practise

Authenticity matters. If you speak about justice in sermons but show anger or bias in private, the message is lost.

Practical Challenge:

Pick one hadith or verse about justice this month and live by it visibly. Share the journey openly with your congregation.