Hadith #6268

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "مَنْ ظَلَمَ ظُلِمَ۔" This can be translated as,

One who oppresses [others] gets oppressed.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this profound statement in light of the Quran.

The word (zalama) "ظَلَمَ" in Arabic refers to oppression, wrongdoing, or transgression. It encompasses any act that violates the rights of others, causing harm, injustice, or inequality. Oppression can manifest in various forms, such as physical, emotional, or financial abuse, discrimination, or denial of basic human rights.

To understand the consequences of oppression, we turn to the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of justice and warns against oppression. In Surah Al-An'am (6:160), Allah says,

And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.

This verse highlights the divine principle of accountability, indicating that every act of oppression, no matter how small, will have consequences.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hajj (22:60), Allah warns,

And for those who harm the believing men and believing women for other than what they have earned, there is a punishment of burning fire.

This verse serves as a reminder that those who oppress others will face severe punishment in the Hereafter. The fire mentioned symbolizes the torment and anguish that awaits oppressors.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement,

One who oppresses [others] gets oppressed,

reflects the divine justice inherent in the universe. When a person inflicts harm upon others, they disrupt the balance of justice and invite retribution upon themselves. This retribution can take various forms, such as experiencing hardships, loss, or even facing the consequences of their own actions.

To illustrate this concept, let us consider an example. Suppose there are two individuals, A and B. A, driven by greed, unjustly seizes B's property. In doing so, A has committed oppression. However, the divine justice ensures that A will face the consequences of their actions. It may be that A's own wealth diminishes, or they face legal repercussions, or they experience a series of misfortunes that bring them suffering. In this way, the oppressor becomes the oppressed, as they bear the burden of their transgressions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to refrain from oppressing others. It encourages us to uphold justice, treat others with fairness and kindness, and respect the rights of all individuals. By doing so, we not only fulfill our obligations as Muslims but also safeguard ourselves from the repercussions of oppression.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ),

One who oppresses [others] gets oppressed,

aligns perfectly with the teachings of the Quran. It emphasizes the divine principle of justice and warns against the consequences of oppression. As Muslims, it is our duty to strive for justice, treat others with kindness, and refrain from oppressing anyone. May Allah guide us all to follow the path of righteousness and protect us from the harms of oppression.