A DUA FOR WHEN MUSLIMS FIGHT MUSLIMS……….

	Surah Zumar 46
	Transliteration 46; Quli allahumma fatira alssamawati waalardi AAalima alghaybi waalshshahadati anta tahkumu baynaAAibadika fee ma kanoo feehi yakhtalifoona
	Yusuf Ali 46: Say: “O Allah. Creator of the heavens and the earth! Knower of all that is hidden and open! it is Thou that wilt judge between Thy Servants in those matters about which they have differed.”
	French 46: Dis: ‹Ô Allah, Créateur des cieux et de la terre, Connaisseur de tout ce que le monde ignore comme de ce qu’il perçoit, c’est Toi qui jugeras entre Tes serviteurs ce sur quoi ils divergeaient›.
	Spanish 46: Di: “¡Alá, creador de los cielos y de la tierra! ¡El Conocedor de lo oculto y de lo patente! Tú decidirás entre Tus siervos sobre aquello en que discrepaban”.
	Indonesian 46: Katakanlah: “Ya Allah, Pencipta langit dan bumi, Yang mengetahui barang ghaib dan yang nyata, Engkaulah Yang memutuskan antara hamba-hamba-Mu tentang apa yang selalu mereka memperselisihkannya”.
	Melayu 46: Ucapkanlah (wahai Muhammad): Wahai Tuhan yang menciptakan langit dan bumi, yang mengetahui perkara-perkara yang ghaib dan yang nyata, Engkaulah jua yang mengadili di antara hamba-hambaMu, mengenai apa yang mereka sentiasa berselisihan padanya.
	German 46: “Sprich: “”O Allah! Schöpfer der Himmel und der Erde! Kenner des Verborgenen und des Offenbaren! Du allein wirst zwischen Deinen Dienern richten über das, worüber sie uneins waren.”"
	Russian 46: Скажи: «О Аллах, Творец небес и земли, Ведающий сокровенное и явное! Ты рассудишь Своих рабов в том, в чем они расходились во мнениях».
	Bosnian 46: Reci: “Allahu, Stvoritelju nebesa i Zemlje, Ti koji znaš nevidljivi i vidljivi svijet, Ti ćeš robovima Svojim presuditi u onome oko čega su se razilazili!”

Ya Ayohan Naas….. O’ Mankind

Museum of Mankind: Courtesy ruaminx (flickr photostream)

Allah Subhanawataala addresses mankind in the Quran and commands Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him,to call them to the path of One God.

In the continuous review of the Quran so far I have noted that the following types of mankind have been described:

Muttaqoon: Those that fear, love, obey and worship only Allah, and He has a special place for them in peace, love and sakina for ever.(Surah Zumar)

As Sabiqoon:
i)    Those who were the pioneers in accepting Islam when it was a great risk to do so.
ii)    They are also those (in current times and will be till the Day of Judgment) who continuously look for an opportunity to obey Allah and do it immediately without making excuses. (Surah Tawbah 9: 100)

Awaloon: the pioneers (same as As Sabiqoon)

Mohsineen are Muslims who go over and beyond the basics required for being a practicing Islam, and do it with Ikhlaas and Ehsaan.

Momineen: Muslims who have perfected their worship of One God.

Muslimeen: are generic people who accepted Islam as their way of life

Maghdoob e Alayhim: Those who know that Allah is One and are aware of His commands but are deliberately disobedient to Allah and earn His wrath.

Walad Da’aleen: Those who started out in the Deen of Allah believing in One God, but who have gone astray.

Munafiqeen: Hypocrites are those whose intent and actions do not match, i.e. they say one thing and do another (This is the absolute worst category to be in and has the worst outcome)

Other posts on the Hypocrites:

behaviorial-clues-of-the-hypocrites

characteristics-of-a-hypocrite-munafiq

hypocrites-strife

slay-the-idolaters-wherever-ye-find-them

Hypocrites and the-concept-of-imanat-and-khianat

Kuffar: Those who deny God or hide His existence by various methods and explanations.

DID I MISS ANY?

SELF EVALUATION: WHAT GROUP ARE YOU IN AND HOW QUICKLY CAN YOU MOVEUP?

SLAY THE IDOLATERS WHEREVER YE FIND THEM…………9:4-6

BACKGROUND:
Surah Tawbah lays the groundwork of the ethics of battle and treaties and the steps to follow if the enemy breaks the treaty. It empowers Muslims who were very weak and in the minority at that time to abide by the guidelines of the Quran when dealing with the enemy, while reminding them of their duties towards Allah Subhanwataa’la.

The guidelines of the Quran for battle are very different from usual and customary and are based on justice rather than vengeance.  These guidelines if followed also reign in the Lesser Self and ego -based oppression of the vanquished. These energizing the Muslim warrior against a strong enemy in doing what is right by Allah Subhanawataa’la.

During the process of teaching the Muslims via RasoolAllah (PBUH), Allah Subhanawataala in His revelations gives leeway for those people who may have a seed of emaan in their hearts or even an inclination to listen to Allah’s words which are for their own good.

The Muslims who were few and awed by the power of the Quraish are also encouraged and empowered in this Surah to fight for what is right and for the oppressed Muslims of Mecca and once again (as when Abraham built it) make the Kaaba a sanctuary of the pure and pious.

Several ayahs from this surah have been googled and quoted in isolation, by ignorant people. Ignorant by circumstance not choice.

It behooves the Muslims to read, review, understand and reflect on the Quran as a whole and this surah in particular so that they can explain its meaning in true essence and context to the ignoramus without being patronizing and to the best of their ability.

It is also important as mentioned elsewhere in the Quran that it is important not to be angered if the other person does not “buy” it our job is to give the message of Allah Subhanawataala, and it is in Allah’s hands and it is his will whom He chooses to guide.

These ayahs also outline what to do if the enemy asks for protection, in the heat of the battle.  The Muslim is behooved to explain, recite and make dua to allow this enemy to hear the Quran. How many of us can recite the Quran and explain its meaning in a language other than Arabic?

My personal take would be to make dua, recite Kalima shahada and then explain so that whatever comes out of our mouth as Muslims is an accurate reflection of Allah Subhanwataala’s message.

TAFSEER(FH)
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE AYAHS OF SURAH TAWBAH
These ayahs of surah Tauba (1-37) these ayahs cancel all previous pacts between Muslim and disbelievers and put the munafiqueen on notice.

PUTTING THE DISBELIEVERS & HYPOCRITES ON NOTICE
The Surah begins as:
This is a Baraa’et, which is a word that comes from: Al Burr ohu, which means “ to release oneself from a makkrooh act”.

This ayah proclaims that all relationships, pacts and treaties with the disbelievers are hereby invalided and this is a proclamation from Allah and His Rasool (PBUH) for those people whom Muslims made pacts with, now these pacts are invalidated publicly.

THE PROCLAMATION MADE AT HAJJ (9TH HIJRI) COMMANDED IN SURAH TAWBAH
Ali RA was asked later, “ What were you sent to announce?” He said I was asked to make four announcements:

1.    No person will do tawaf in the state of nakedness
2.    The Kafir with whom Rasool Allah PBUH made a pact of peace and those Kafirs have not broken their pact this pact stands for the period.
3.    For those with whom Muslims have no pact they have four months to either take Shahada, become Muslims and go to jannah or leave Mecca.
4.    After this year Muslims and Mushriks (disbelievers) will not be allowed to gather together in Mecca for Hajj as Arabia will be purified for the believers and thus no disbelievers will be allowed in Mecca.

GRACE PERIOD AND RESULTS OF DISOBEDIENCE TO ALLAH
Here the disbelievers are being addressed: You can walk around and visit everywhere in Arabia peacefully for four months (announced on 10 Zilhij) expires on 10 Rabi us Sani) this period is for you to reflect. You are being warned that you should know that you are not able to weaken Allah, or the Muslims and Allah SWT is going to openly punish the disbelievers.  This period of grace is not because Muslims are weak, but to give you time to reflect and change your behavior.  And Allah is capable of debasing disbelievers.

GRACE PERIOD GIVEN AND COMPARED TO THE OUTCOME OF PAST NATIONS
The past nations who were severely punished for their disobediences, Allah SWT dishonored them in dunya and destroyed them eventually.
After this reminder Allah Subhanawataala, the Arabs of Mecca were given four months to straighten up and accept and submit to the Unity and power of Allah.

Hajj Akbar is the actual Hajj, and Hajj Asghar is Ummrah.

PROCLAMATION FOR CHANGE
Ali RA announced this on Zilhij 10 in Mina near the Jamaraat” Allah SWT is tired of the mushriqeen and His Rasool (PBUH) is also tired of the mushriqeen, but if you repent (do tauba) return to Allah, then that is best for you and if you turn away then be warned that you cannot  overcome Allah. And give the message to those who do Kuffar that there is a severe torment awaiting them.

WHO IS BEING ADDRESSED?
These announcements addressed two groups:
1.    This one was for those who had broken the pacts
2.    For the general public

The Arabs would make pacts between tribes to help each other out this was called becoming Haleefs comes from “Halaf” which mean taking an oath. This was essential for the survival of the tribes. However by embracing Islam one crossed all the borders of tribes, familial ties and nations

This announcement was to warn all to collect under one flag that of Islam.

ALL TREATIES DISSOLVED WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS
Translation 9:4: Excepting those of the idolaters with whom ye (Muslims) have a treaty, and who have since abated nothing of your right nor have supported anyone against you. (As for these), fulfill their treaty to them till their term. Lo! Allah loveth those who keep their duty (unto Him).

Those who have abided by their pacts and have not made pacts behind your back against you. Complete the time of the pact and Allah loves those who are mutaqeen, here mutaqeen is one who abides by their pact.

9:3 all people were addressed.
9:4 those specific people were selected out of the above.

FOR ALL OTHERS A GRACE PERIOD: AFTER THE PERIOD OF GRACE IF THE WARNING IS NOT HEEDED THEN….
فَإِذَا ٱنسَلَخَ لأَشہُرُ لحُرُمُ فَٱقتُلُواْ ٱلمُشرِكِينَ حَيثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُم وَخُذُوهُم وَٱحصُرُوهُم وَٱقعُدُواْ لَهُم لَّ مَرصَدٍ فَإِن تَابُواْ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوةَ وَءَاتَوُاْ ٱلزَّوةَ فَخَلُّواْ سَبِيلَهُم إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (5)

Then those months (Haraam months: those months of grace period) pass, once this time passes then kill them wherever you find them, in the field (a) exception of in the Haram, b) unless they fight you in the Haram (two opinions from scholars)

Pursue them, lay siege on them and wait for them, to get them, then if they repent, and stand for prayers (salaat) and pay zakat i.e. they accept the submission to Allah by demonstrating it in their actions of salaat and giving charity out of their earnings, then leave them and open their path, Allah is Ghafoor ur Raheem.

PROTECTION AND EDUCATION IN THE HEAT OF BATTLE
وَإِن أَحَدٌ مِّنَ ٱلمُشرِكِينَ ٱستَجَارَكَ فَأَجِرهُ حَتَّى يَسمَعَ كَلَـمَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ أَبلِغهُ مَأمَنَهُ  ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّہُم قَومٌ لَّا يَعلَمُونَ (٦)
And if anyone of the idolaters seeketh thy protection (O Muhammad), then protect him so that he may hear the Word of Allah, and afterward convey him to his place of safety. That is because they are a folk who know not. (6)

Then if one of the mushriqs in the heat of the battle when they are subdued, ask for protection during the battle then give them protection until they have listened to the words of Allah, and then take him to the place of peace (his home)
This is because they are ignorant and they do not have knowledge of Allah’s words.
The message of Allah has to be given to everyone, even in the heat of the battle
End Tafseer

MY TAKE & SUMMARY:
Surah tawbah was revealed after 23years of struggle with the disbelievers.  Even with the success of Islam, there were some ignorant people who continued to carry on in their merry way, dancing naked around the Kaaba and making and breaking pacts and overall being a thorn on the side of the believers. These people did not have the upright ethics of the Muslims, yet they continued to take undue advantage of the ethical behavior of the Muslims

This surah is when Allah Subhanawataala say “That’s it!” and yet unlike the treatment of the past nations He in his infinite mercy does not turn the nations of the Arabs upside down and does not crush them into the earth like the nation of Lot nor the nations of Ad and Thamud. However the idolaters of Arabia have been given 23 years of change and they continue to defy Allah Subhanawataala’s commands by breaking treaties, and going back on their word.

He (SWT) sends firm instructions to Prophet Muhammad PBUH that it is now time to make Mecca the centre of Purity for the believers.

In doing so He (SWT) instructs the Muslims:

He (SWT) erases all previous pacts and commands the following:
1.    Muslims are to abide by the pacts that they have in place with the disbelievers and which the disbelievers have not been broken.
2.    To give four months notice to the idolaters to either submit to Allah or leave Mecca
3.    After the period of notice is over, if the idolaters persist with adversity then to kill the ones who fight the Muslims, and those who violently disobey the above mentioned commands BUT there is a caveat of mercy: if they repent, establish salaat and pay zakat then let them go because Allah is forgiving and merciful
4.    In the heat of the battle, Muslims should hold their swords from killing if any idolater asks for protection, and to give them protection till they (the idolater) have heard the words of Allah, and then if they set up salaat, and zakaat then take them to the place of peace (their home). Their lack in faith is thus from their ignorance.

Allah knows best.

If there I made any mistakes they are from me and from my lesser Self and the whisperings of the Shaitan, if I wrote anything correct or rightly guided, it is from Allah Subhanawataala.

Dua: May Allah Subhanawataala forgive me my mistakes and guide me, such that my brain and pen only think and write what He has deemed as just and right.

THE SECRETS OF SUCCESS: 8: Surah Al Anfal

THE MESSAGE IN SURAH AL ANFAL:
Though Surah Al Anfal is overtly about the Battle of Badr, which changed the balance of power in favor of the Muslims at the time of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, it holds in it the secrets of Success in Life.

This Surah details the battle of Badr, also called the Youm (Day) of Furqaan.

The etiquettes of peace negotiations and the preparation of battle are outlined. It is clearly demarcated that all events leading to success are dependant on the personal behavior and ethics of the players, even if it may be one sided (i.e. only the Muslims have the ethics and the other party does not)

The Secret of success comes from:

1.    All success is from Allah
2.     He only gives success to those who obey Him and follow his guidelines
3.    How to get along with each other. Unity and cooperation with each other. This is pivotal for success
4.    Love each other. Examples of the behavior of the Muhajirs and Ansars (Immigrants and citizens) is given
5.     Love and obey Allah and His Rasool (PBUH) and thus prevent divisiveness based on Self or Ego based dissatisfaction.
6.     The definition of Khianat and how to avoid it. Khianat is forbidden not only with friends but also with foes. Cleaning the inside of our hearts.
7.    Attention to detail to prepare for battle and adversity
8.    Sabr/Patience and Dhikr to build strength and stillness in the heart.
9.     Release yourself from the love of dunya and material goods.
10.     Purify your self from greed for the booty of this world in war and peace. Strive in peace and war only to please Allah in word, action and thought.

What I learned from this surah:

One must train oneself in everyday life like the soldiers of Badr were instructed to train themselves. For life is a war on the Nafs or the selfish part within us that prevents us from submitting to Allah.

The training of the soldiers was as follows:

1.     To know that all success and   failure comes from Allah

2.     To understand and accept the fact that all battles whether of war or personal battles are not to be fought for personal gain or the booty at the end of it. All struggles must be only for the glorification of Allah, and not to hide a personal reason behind a façade of fighting in the name of Allah or to glorify the name of Allah

3.     To learn the etiquette of the moment when one is faced with adversity

4.     To stand by the covenants that one has forged with another or if the other party has
broken the covenant to announce publicly that we are no longer bound by it, as it has already been broken.

5.     To look and prepare for each detail in war and in a project or struggle that we are about to undertake even if the odds are against us.

6.     To bring our hearts together as Muslims to feel each other’s pain and joy and be happy for our brothers and want for them what we want for ourselves.

7.    To unite, cooperate and stand steadfast in the struggle for Islam

8.     To migrate from all disobediences of Allah. To leave them behind just as we may leave behind one land that disallows the practice of Islam for one that allows it.

9.    The ties of the Muslim Ummah are more significant than blood ties, even though respect and consideration is recommended for blood ties.

10.    A trust placed with a Muslim is impregnable and a covenant made with a Muslim is unbreakable and untamperable.

Dua: May Allah Subhananawataala give us the strength to build these characteristics within us.

GOING HOME FOR EID……..

Going home for Eid, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Waiting for the ferry to go home for Eid, indonesia

Pictures courtesy of :The Boston Globe

PILGRIMAGE AND THE STATION OF IBRAHIM 3:96-97

Surah Al Imran 003.096
YUSUFALI: The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakka: Full of blessing and of guidance for all kinds of beings:

003.097
YUSUFALI: In it are Signs Manifest; (for example), the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah,- those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures.

Commentary: A formal pilgrimage to His (Subhanawataa’la’s) House is both a personal and social step towards realizing Allah’s presence both in this world and beyond. All worship is acts of yearning and dedication to the One Lord.

Excerpted from The Quranic Prescription for Life

FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK………..

Maa'lula, Syria, a town where Aramaic (the language of Jesus (AS) is spoken today

Allah Subhanawataa’la adresses Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) regarding the people of the book, those whose hearts yearn for purity:

وَإِنَّ مِن أَهلِ ٱلتَـبِ لَمَن يُؤمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيكُم وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيہِم خَـشِعِينَ لِلَّهِ لَا يَشتَرُونَ بِـَٔايَـتِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلاً‌ أُوْلَـكَ لَهُم أَجرُهُم عِندَ رَبِّهِم إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلحِسَابِ (١٩٩)

003.199 YUSUFALI’s translation:

And there are, certainly, among the People of the Book, those who believe in Allah, in the revelation to you, and in the revelation to them, bowing in humility to Allah: They will not sell the Signs of Allah for a miserable gain! For them is a reward with their Lord, and Allah is swift in account.

I AM CONFUSED:TO VOTE OR NOT TO VOTE?

For the first time in my adult life, I am confused. I had never considered the option of not voting, However after reviewing many aspects and discussions on this subject, I am posting some excerpts from the internet. You may be the judge and adviser of what should I do:

Here are the excerpts of what some muslims said about voting for the next US President:

“It is better to do nothing than to do what is wrong”

“Muslims should seek to avoid any forms of participation in Western democracy”

“SO WHAT DO WE DO?”

“Do dawa, study Islam, and strive to become a better Muslim”

“By Allah, I hope that when Obama comes into power with your direct support and blessings, and unleashes a new front on the War on Islam, and spills the blood of another million Muslims, and destroys the homes of another million, that you are held accountable in front of Allah for your betrayal of this Ummah just so you could have some tax cuts.”

O Muslims! How can you live comfortably and remain silent in the face of the injustices done to your imprisoned brothers while your Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “Feed the hungry, visit the sick, and free the prisoner!”

Democracy (law of the people by the people) or the Quran (the law of God):
لا وَرَبِّكَ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّى يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لا يَجِدُوا فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
“But no, by your Lord, they are not believers, until they make you (O Muhammad [saw]) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” (EMQ an-Nisaa, 4: 65)

وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ وَمَنْ يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلالا مُبِينًا
“It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and his Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and his Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.” (EMQ al-Ahzaab, 33: 36)

By voting for Obama, you will still have Muslim blood on your hands!! He has said he will shift the majority of troops to Afghanistan so Muslims are most probably going to be killed any way.

MCCAIN IS MORE LIKELY TO KILL MANY OF YOUR OWN SISTERS AND BROTHERS AND IT IS A MUSLIM’S DUTY TO STOP HIM BEFORE HE HAS THE POWER TO DO SO.

I will, InSha’a Allah, vote for Obama. I believe that I am a better Muslim by doing so.

The ones who are voting may Allah never forgive YOU

“As Salamualykum I may not have known whether voting was halal or haram but when I heard both candidates say that they would bomb Pakistan (and kill Muslims) that was enough for me to know that I am not going to vote for someone who is happy to kill my brothers and sisters. I mentioned this 1 little thing to a Muslim, whose reply was I don’t care what they said I am voting. So you don’t care that you will vote for some one who is prepared to kill your brother/ sister? Maybe if it was your husband you would feel differently.

TO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO VOTE FOR OBAMA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUFa6d4R6OU

For McCain: I think it is clear

Both of them support ZIONISTS, who are butchering Palestinians, you think about your tax cut?

“That said, here is some of the points I would like to state:

1. The system of voting (the process) in itself is not haraam. It has been practiced by the sahaabah themselves in the form of giving bayah (an oath of allegiance to a leader). So, let’s not confuse that voting in itself is haraam. Because it’s not.

2. Voting in US (i.e. voting in Democratic system – non Islamic system) however, for any of the (taghoot) candidates is haraam. The reasons for it are aplenty and have been raised by many commenters above. You can research it for yourselves.”

“Moreover, both candidates have pledged their allegiance to Israel and have secured their safety. Obama even said he would attack Pakistan’s territory (where the Taliban’s are) without anybody’s permission if he becomes president. Even before he became president we can see that they are already attacking Pakistan. And have killed more than 100 people. Nobody made any noise for the spilled blood of innocent women and children. That’s how cheap the Muslim’s blood is nowadays. So go ahead and endorse him to kill more Muslims. It’s between you and Allah! Not you and me, … but Allah.”

The wise Republican Ron Paul said,” the real wasted vote is voting for one of the two parties and not for what you want.”

You might say that there would still be a government there, but that would just mean that you do not understand how governments work. If no one obeys someone then that person has no power, so the most basic way of eliminating that power is to ignore it.

Isn’t even Obama going to attack Pakistan? Hasn’t he showed support for Israel?

“To all of you wise men out there who are supposedly the “experts”, do you remember eight years ago that it was you who actually told us to vote for Bush, the worst US president ever as far as Muslims are concerned? Haven’t you learned from your mistakes?”

End excerpts

My Dilemma:
1. Would I have the blood of the muslims on my hands, that are killed by the orders of the President that I vote for?

2, Will I be questioned about it on the Day of Judgment?

3. By not voting am I not “tying my camel”?

4. Am I getting too involved in Dunya?

THE DAWN OF ISLAM…..BY ALLAMA IQBAL

A Message from the past inspiring the present and the future Muslims:

THE SILENT OPPRESSION (DHULM)

There are so many people out there living silently in pain, and have no hope or roadmap of how to get out of this complex life situation.

Unfortunately there are no quick fixes without an understanding of the basis and etiquette of the global relationship of the human race with each other individually and collectively.

Allah Subhanawataala guides us in the Quran modulating human behavior to avert the pain that humans afflict on each other:

It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards East or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfill the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing. Quran:2:177

The believers are guided to what is good for fellow human beings on one hand and sternly warned against Oppression on the other hand by Allah (SWT). Repeatedly in the Quran the oppressors are given due notice that if they continue in this world to oppress the weak, there awaits for them in the Hereafter, the pit of fire from which there is no escape. It will burn their skin, baring the nerve endings, new skin will be replaced with all its sensitivity to burn again and thus the cycle will continue forever. A soul shaking warning for those who are cognizant and not blinded by arrogance.
The Arabic word for oppression, as I understand it is dhulm. Some how the translation into English as oppression just does not cut it. Dhulm on the other hand is not a single action, but a series of continuous acts to denigrate, dehumanize, and subjugate someone by encroaching indelibly on his or her rights and who is unable to resist this encroachment.
The means employed by the oppressor are not as important as the actual intention and act of oppression. The oppressor is called Dhalim and the oppressed is called Mazloom.

There are many types of oppression, but one thing is consistent in all forms: the oppressor is powerful and the oppressed is powerless against the onslaught of dhulm or oppression.

I have often wondered why Allah SWT repeatedly warns humankind to be kind to each other and not oppress each other and not take another’s right by force or fear? Aren’t human beings practicing humanity?

This stern warning in the Quran serves as the great balancer of life in this world. One person oppresses another one, and a third one comes to the rescue of the oppressed. Sometimes the oppressor begins oppression and then because of his fear of Allah retracts his behavior and lets go of the subjugation of the oppressed.
There are two formats of Oppression:
1. Deliberate: Inebriated with the arrogance of power the Dhalim (oppressor) rides rough shod over the weak and when he/she succeeds in usurping the rights of the weak continues to do so as he does not have any fear of Allah in this state of mind.
2. Ignorance: A Dhalim oppressor may be unaware that his actions may be a form of oppression and the obedience that he is extracting is at the expense of the rights of the mazloom or oppressed. This I call silent oppression.

The reason I call it silent oppression is because the oppressor conducts it silently and sometimes may even be unaware or may consider it his right to impose this form of Dhulm on the other individual.
On the other side there is silence from the mazloom or the oppressed who is slowly being “gaslighted” or chronically abused such that he or she begins to think that this is what he or she deserves and therefore no longer stands up to his or her rights anymore. And yet one day the mounting acts of oppression are no longer tolerable even with the rationalization noted above. The situation between the oppressor and the oppressed explodes into external violence. That is the day when the issue of oppression becomes a headline not as oppression but only the result of it.
Examples of silent oppression are seen in schools and the outcomes are seen in the actions of the carnage done by the two boys of Columbine High School or more recently the single shooter of Virginia Tech.
Silent oppression usually does not have the explosive outcome in the devoutly muslim people as it has in the non-muslim countries. The reason being two fold:
1. The oppressor in moments of cognizance recognizes his oppression and backs off due to fear of Allah, or someone in the muslim society puts pressure on the oppressor and puts the fear of God in him thus forcing him without violence to accede the rights to the oppressed.

2.The oppressed turn to Allah and it is a Hadith that a true heartfelt supplication to Allah from the lips of the oppressed is never turned away by Him ( SWT). Thus the ability to bear minor oppression is strengthened in a person who remains in Dhikr.

Factors propagating oppression in muslim societies:
Sometimes the veil of false facts invented from cultural religiosity is used to continue oppression. This is when both the oppressor and the oppressed believe this oppression to be right, as they are ignorant of the God given rights of the victim clearly outlined in the Quran and summarized in Surah al Baqara. The right of being treated with dignity by all irrespective of caste creed and gender given to human beings by Allah SWT are distorted by self serving, ignorant half baked but well intentioned wannabe scholars and Imams.
Where is silent oppression most evident?
1. Silent oppression is most overt in the beaurocratic organization where people are captive due to their dependence on the goodwill of their bosses for their jobs rather than their expertise. Their bosses if they are not God fearing, recognizing the helplessness of the people under them oppress them. Examples are the sexual advances towards female workers under male bosses. The male bosses do not feel that they are accountable to Allah SWT for their behavior. They are ignorant of the fact that making sexual advances to a woman working under them are punishable by the severest laws of the hudood. The laws of sexual harassment in secular countries are mild slaps on the hand for such people.
2. The other place where silent oppression is most evident and yet unrecognized is in the home. Here if each individual does not ask the question of himself or herself before demanding something from the other “ Am I asking her or him to do something which is beyond my right to ask for?” then oppression occurs and slowly builds creating a power structure in the heart and mind of the oppressor and suppressed anger and evolving passion of violence in the hearts and mind of the oppressed.
Again this wound festers and eventually boils over and the public sees it in a newspaper headline where a wife set fire to the bed in which her husband was asleep, or a husband kills his wife and children after she separated from him and went to live elsewhere. In society this factual report is only the tip of the iceberg.

In the second surah of the Quran, Surah Baqara it appears to me in my initial review that Allah SWT has given us a summary of the code of ethics and behavior to follow in our daily life. He (SWT) outlines the “Haqooq al Ebad” which means the rights of the humankind over each other.

I am confident that if we took a vote of how many muslim men and women entering matrimony have actually read and studied Surah Baqara and are well versed in the code of ethics of Haqooq al Ebad, I would say that the majority have not even cracked the book, leave alone studied it. I myself once belonged to that group. I would be happy if a reader dispels this assertion if they can.

How can one expect to have a smooth ride through marriage if both parties do not know the verbage and code of behavior that the contract warrants?

Why is there such a strict code of behavior in Islam? My non-muslim friends often ask me this question. The answer is, having a global code of ethics that is based on humanity makes for a peaceful and happy world.

Thus if everyone remains within the circle of being human with each other and constantly questions oneself “Have I fulfilled the rights of my relatives, my friends, my coworkers, my boss, my society………..etc etc? Then the chances of silent oppression become low in the household, and thus rare in society in general.

How about in school? Learning begins very early in childhood. A child learns by observing the actions of his or her parents. He cries and watches the response of the parent. The actions of the parents are indelibly engraved on the brains of the children long before they can put two words together.
How then can parents expect children to do as they say but not do as they do? A great example is when parents (hopefully not a muslim one) say to their children “ Alcohol is bad for you”, but then proceed not only to drink it but to visibly enjoy it and glamorize it by dressing up beautifully (cocktail dresses) to attend parties where alcohol is the main course (cocktail parties) and yet they tell their children it is not good for you….! It is an oxymoron.

The children’s action imitates the adult, thus school statistics in the US reveal that fifty percent of sixth graders (age 10-11 years) have imbibed alcohol, usually from their parents wine cabinet.

If the parents do not base their conduct with each other on the guidelines of the code of Humanity and children are not taught the code of ethics of humanity “Haqooq al Ebad” then they have no reason not to oppress their colleagues and feel powerful (popular) while doing so.

Thus in school there is little or no protection from oppression. It takes place everywhere, but most poignantly in the locker room where boys are teased about their private parts and girls are also, especially if they do not wish to undress in front of everyone. With time this continuous oppression creates an ever-increasing rage in the oppressed, which fueled by the continuous subjugation of words or acts of the oppressor then explodes into violence. The oppressed child then goes berserk and does damage to the oppressors. That is when I have to see the patient to evaluate them for their “ rage attack” to evaluate if they have a neuropsychiatric disorder. Silent oppression breeds rage. Continuous, unresolved injustice breeds’ rage, which begets violence.

For each individual there are three levels of evaluation of Oppression:

1. To look within oneself not once not twice but intermittently and continuously to keep ones behavior fair and just with all his/her contacts, neither oppressing them, nor being oppressed.
2. To look in ones immediate environment for signs of oppression and to assist the oppressed and desist the oppressor.
3. To look further away into society at large and if oppression is apparent, to assist the oppressed and desist the oppressor.
If the inner code of human ethics as taught by the words of God in the Quran coupled with a healthy fear of God is present it usually is enough to keep oppression in check both in adults and in children.

In summary: In this world progressively going crazily violent around us, we need to pause and let it sink into our psyches that an unshakeable belief in the Hereafter, of accountability on the Day of Judgment and living by the creed of One God and obedience to Him and His last messenger is imperative for the prevention of silent oppression and oppression of all kinds and in all scenarios.

Supplication: May Allah Subhana wa taala protect us from Dhulm and from becoming a Dhalim.