In the present polarised ambience, hate and bigotry is ruling the roost. It is causing chaos in society in ever newer forms. Cases of lynching of innocent persons, and beating and harassing innocent youth in the name of ‘love jihad’, continue to make headlines. And now, open call for genocide of Muslims, and repeated attempts to post profiles including derogatory and doctored photographs of Muslim women for their ‘online auction’ are the worst manifestation of this phenomenon. This is also the worst case of injustice and oppression being perpetrated with a strong sense of impunity.
In a civilized society there is no room for such incidents. Islam, the divine system ordained by the Creator and Master of the universe, also does not bear the happening of such incidents. The Islamic system is so comprehensive that it puts an end to every possibility of evil raising its head. Despite this, even if some case comes to light, it teaches its adherents to suppress the evil with an iron hand but of course with equity and justice. Equity and justice are the core of Islamic system.
God has sent Scriptures and Messengers from time to time, with the Qur’ān and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as the last Book and the last Messenger, to teach people to promote equity and justice in society. The Qur’ān (57:25) says: “We have already sent Our messengers with clear pieces of evidence and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain (their affairs) with justice.”
In our practical life, we find people who fail rather miserably to do justice when the wrongdoer is some near and dear one. But in Islamic scheme of things, justice is justice; it cannot be compromised. The Qur’ān (4:135) makes it abundantly clear: “O You who believe! Be upholders of justice, bearing witness for God alone, even against yourselves or your parents and relatives. Whether they are rich or poor, God is well able to look after them. Do not follow your own desires and deviate from the truth. If you twist or turn away, God is aware of what you do.”
In the face of injustice being done and an act of oppression being committed, what should a civilized person do? He must not keep mum and must not look the other way. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has taught people to come forward and help them. He 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.” (Sahih al-Bukhari: 2444)
Preventing a person from committing an act of oppression is considered helping him. If we do not help him here, he will commit the crime and be eventually punished if not here in the hereafter. If we follow the divine guidance, say no to our own desires and do not deviate from the truth, God willing, we will be able to do justice without thinking of who is going to be at the receiving end.