INJUSTICE AS ONE OF THE PREVALENT SOCIAL ILLS JUST BEFORE PROPHETHOOD OF MUHAMMAD (PBUH).

Praise be to Allah who honors his beloved servants with Islam and faith. He established the earth and heavens on balance and justice. I praise Allah- my creator in manifolds, purely and blessedly. I bear witness that there is no God but Allah alone without any partner, a testimony worthy to protects the proclaimer from painful torment. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His Prophet and Messenger, the seal of all messengers and prophets of Allah, May the peace and blessings of God be upon him, his families, wives and companions and those who follow them in righteousness till the day of recompense. After that, I admonish you and myself to fear Allah, that is trade that does not fail, its end is attainment of House of dignity and happiness. Allah says: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلاَ تَمُوتُنَّ إِلاَّ وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ {O ye who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.} (Al-Imran: 102). Definition of injustice: Injustice is simply the placement of a thing in the wrong place, and acting on the right of others without his consent, and to exceed the limit set by the shariah, or a term which means trespassing truth to wrong. It is unfairness. (Jamiul Uluum Wal Hikam p. 211), (As-Sohaah 5/1977) Warning against injustice: Allah says: وَسَيَعَلَمُ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ أَيَّ مُنْقَلَبٍ يَنْقَلِبُونَ} الشعراء 227 {And soon will the unjust assailants know what vicissitudes their affairs will take! } (Q26:227). He says also: إِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ نَارًا أَحَاطَ بِهِمْ سُرَادِقُهَا وَإِنْ يَسْتَغِيثُوا يُغَاثُوا بِمَاءٍ كَالْمُهْلِ يَشْوِي الْوُجُوهَ بِئْسَ الشَّرَابُ وَسَاءَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا}(الكهف : 29) {… for the unjust We have prepared a Fire whose (smoke and flames), like the walls and roof of a tent, will hem them in: if they implore relief they will be granted water like melted brass, that will scald their faces, how dreadful the drink! How uncomfortable a couch to recline on! } (18: 29) He says also: وَلَوْ تَرَى إِذِ الظَّالِمُونَ فِي غَمَرَاتِ الْمَوْتِ وَالْمَلاَئِكَةُ بَاسِطُو أَيْدِيهِمْ أَخْرِجُوا أَنْفُسَكُمُ الْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ عَذَابَ الْهُونِ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ غَيْرَ الْحَقِّ وَكُنْتُمْ عَنْ آيَاتِهِ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ} (الأنعام : 93), {… If thou couldst but see how the wicked (do fare) in the flood of confusion at death! - the angels stretch forth their hands, (saying),"Yield up your souls: this day shall ye receive your reward,- a penalty of shame, for that ye used to tell lies against Allah, and scornfully to reject of His signs!" } (6:93), Allah says: وَتِلْكَ الْقُرَى أَهْلَكْنَاهُمْ لَمَّا ظَلَمُوا وَجَعَلْنَا لِمَهْلِكِهِمْ مَوْعِدًا }(الكهف : 59). {Such were the populations we destroyed when they committed iniquities; but we fixed an appointed time for their destruction.} (18: 59). The prophet (PBUH) said: (Allah does give respite to the unjust person until when he get hold of him, He will not let him escape) (Bukhari & Muslim) Injustice has caused the ruin of homes, destruction of nations and peoples. It is also the cause of the prevalent difficulty people experience in life. It is also the cause of afflictions; including agony, sickness, poverty, lack of children and wealth, murder, torture, inflation in prices of materials and so on. What the nation experiences today is because of injustice. Injustices is also the cause of anguish in the hereafter. It is the enveloping darkness upon darkness, one above the other. The agony of injustice experienced by the unjust person starts with him in life, then he is tormented in his grave, and then in the hereafter it will also be absolute condemnation to hellfire- God forbid. Hence, Islam came and warned against injustice and commanded justice in all matters; in all aspects of life and it threatened the oppressors and promised him a painful chastisement. It also ordered to stand by the oppressed and defend his rights until the injustice done to him is removed and displaced. As well, Islam came to forbade injustice in all its forms and branches, even God Almighty said in the Hadith Qudsi: ("O My servants, I have made injustice unlawful for Me and unlawful for you, so do not commit injustice against one another.”). Allah says in the Holy Quran: وَمَنْ يَظْلِمْ مِنْكُمْ نُذِقْهُ عَذَاباً كَبِيراً {… And whoever among you does wrong, him shall We cause to taste of a grievous Penalty.} (25:19). The various images of injustice: Injustice has many types; the greatest of it all is to associate partner with Allah- the exalted. Almighty Allah said: إِنَّ الشّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ { for false worship is indeed the highest injustice. } (31:13) Another form of injustice is that injustice done to other human beings, by infringing on their personality, bodies or wealth, or any other form of infringement and abuse. All these are entirely forbidden and not permissible. The prophet (PBUH) said: (verily your bloods, wealth and personalities are all forbidden to you, the way you regard this day of yours, in this month of yours, and in this country of yours,… be attentive, have I conveyed the message?) (A sermon on the day of ‘Arafah). How many are unjustly treated in his personal dignity, injustice or unfairness to his body or property. But unfortunately he could not claim or recover his right, he is unable to speak out about his oppressor, if he dare mention the name of his oppressor he will be killed. May God help us. As part of injustice which translates to the misplacement of things is not to place the right person in the appropriate position he deserve only because he is not from a particular tribe, or group or a particular clan and then install a wrong person in the position which do not suits or fits him, unjustly and falsely or out of ignorance or imposition. He will therefore act to dispense people’s sustenance and fate in accordance with his self desire, turning out to become confused, stranded and misleading to others. This situation is not limited to States or countries alone, but also some organizations and associations in which someone is often inappropriately installed and misplaced. The Prophet did count this as a sign of the last hour when a Bedouin Arab asked him thus: "O Messenger of Allah, when is the hour ... He said: “When the trust is misplaced, then expect the hour” the Bedouin said: “How then will it be misplaced? He (PBUH) said: “When issue is given to incompetent person, then expect the hour”. And know that injustice does not apply to holders of positions alone but it includes all those mentioned above as well as having authority over a household or family. A typical family set up includes the elderly and the young, the strong and the weak, men and women, every one of them has his or her rights lying on the shoulders of the leaders. A person can be seen as being unjust if he transgresses against his personal right, such as when he spends lavishly. A man’s injustice to his family includes when he treats them with cruelty and hardship or deficient in financial commitment or is deficient to relate well with them kindly. Umar bn Khattab was once lying on his back in his home and his boys were playing around him, then one of his governors entered who denounced Umar’s freedom to the children. But Umar said to him: “How do you do with your family? He said: “If I enter, everything becomes silent” In the end Umar withdrew him from the post of governor and said: “You're not kind to your family and your child how then can you be kind to the Ummah of Muhammad” One of the greatest injustices of man to his children is to leave them without a system of commanding them for good or forbidding them from evil and without training or directing them rightly. Perhaps he commands and forbids far and remote people. Part of the injustice to neighbours is to neglect their rights; such as to neglect the need to comfort them or not to ward off evil from them or their children and family. The Prophet was informed about that woman who did not benefit from her night prayers and fasts during the day because she hurt her neighbours and infringes them with her tongue. The Messenger of Allah said about her: (No benefit in all her action, she is of the people of hell) we seek refuge with Allah from the hellfire. Amin. Admonition to Leaders: Oppressing leaders should look at the consequences of severe tyrants which Allah mentions in the Holy Quran such as Pharaoh, Qaaroon, Haman and Namruud. Allah says: فَكُلاً أَخَذْنَا بِذَنْبِهِ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلِيهِ حَاصِباً وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ أَخَذَتْهُ الصَّيْحَةُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ خَسَفْنَا بِهِ الأَرْضَ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ أَغْرَقْنَا وَمَا كَانَ اللهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ ولَكِنْ كَانُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ {Each one of them We seized for his crime: of them, against some We sent a violent tornado (with showers of stones); some were caught by a (mighty) Blast; some We caused the earth to swallow up; and some We drowned (in the waters): It was not Allah Who injured (or oppressed) them:" They injured (and oppressed) their own souls.} (29: 40). Advice to the Oppressed: Dear oppressed persons, never think that God has neglected the unjust oppressor or that God has forgotten him, never, our Lord never errs nor forgets. Only that God gives respite to the unjust person and oppressors until he get hold of them he will never release them. Look around, where are the tyrants and the unjust of all times? Where is Qaarun? Where is Pharaoh?! Where is Haaman? Where is Namruud Bn Kan-‘aan? Where are the companions of the pit? Where are the oppressors and their followers in confusion? All of them have died and perished and obviously the remaining living ones will die one day. Allah says: كُلُّ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا فَانٍ * وَيَبْقَى وَجْهُ رَبِّكَ ذُو الْجَلالِ وَالإِكْرَامِ {All that is on earth will perish: But will abide (for ever) the Face of thy Lord,- full of Majesty, Bounty and Honour.} (55: 26-27). وَلاَ تَحْسَبَنَّ اللَّهَ غَافِلاً عَمَّا يَعْمَلُ الظَّالِمُونَ إِنَّمَا يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ لِيَوْمٍ تَشْخَصُ فِيهِ اْلأَبْصَارُ {Think not that Allah doth not heed the deeds of those who do wrong. He but giveth them respite against a Day when the eyes will fixedly stare in horror,-} (14:42). The beloved prophet (PBUH) said: ((Allah do give respite to the unjust until when he get hold of him, He will not let him escape) (Bukhari & Muslim) he then read the verse: وَكَذَلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَا أَخَذَ الْقُرَى وَهِيَ ظَالِمَةٌ إِنَّ أَخْذَهُ أَلِيمٌ شَدِيدٌ {Such is the chastisement of thy Lord when He chastises communities in the midst of their wrong: grievous, indeed, and severe is His chastisement.} (11:102) (Bukhari & Muslim) Requital of Rights in the hereafter before entering paradise: From Abu Hurairah, from the Prophet, he said: (Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever has oppressed another person concerning his reputation or anything else, he should beg him to forgive him before the Day of Resurrection when there will be no money (to compensate for wrong deeds), but if he has good deeds, those good deeds will be taken from him according to his oppression which he has done, and if he has no good deeds, the sins of the oppressed person will be loaded on him." (Narrated by Al-bukhari) From Abu hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah said: “Do you know who the one who is bankrupt?” They said, ‘The bankrupt is the one who has no money and no possessions.’ He said, ‘Among my Ummah, the one who is bankrupt is the one who will come on the Day of Resurrection with prayer and fasting and Zakah (to his credit), but he will come having insulted this one, slandered that one, consumed the wealth of this one and shed the blood of that one, and beaten that one. So they will all be given some of his Hasanat (good deeds), and when his Hasanat run out, before judgment is passed, some of their sins will be taken and cast onto him, then he will be cast into the Fire.’”). (Agreed upon) Abu Sa'eed Al-khudri may Allah be pleased with him narrated that the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said: (Allah's Apostle said, "When the believers pass safely over (the bridge across) Hell, they will be stopped at a bridge in between Hell and Paradise where they will retaliate upon each other for the injustices done among them in the world, and when they get purified of all their sins, they will be admitted into Paradise. By Him in Whose Hands the life of Muhammad is everybody will recognize his dwelling in Paradise better than he recognizes his dwelling in this world") The triumph over injustice and invocation against the unjust: When the prophets got despaired because of the injustice of the oppressors they called on Allah the Almighty. Prophet Nuh said: وَقَالَ نُوحٌ رَبِّ لاَ تَذَرْ عَلَى الأَرْضِ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ دَيَّارًا , إِنَّكَ إِنْ تَذَرْهُمْ يُضِلُّوا عِبَادَكَ وَلَا يَلِدُوا إِلاَّ فَاجِرًا كَفَّارًا { And Noah, said: "O my Lord! Leave not of the Unbelievers, a single one on earth!” "For, if Thou dost leave (any of) them, they will but mislead Thy devotees, and they will breed none but wicked ungrateful ones”.} (Nuh: 26-27). Musa also prayed against the Pharaoh, he said: رَبَّنَا اطْمِسْ عَلَى أَمْوَالِهِمْ وَاشْدُدْ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ فَلاَ يُؤْمِنُوا حَتَّى يَرَوُا الْعَذَابَ الْأَلِيمَ قَالَ قَدْ أُجِيبَتْ دَعْوَتُكُمَا {Our Lord! deface the features of their wealth, and send hardness to their hearts, so they will not believe until they see the grievous penalty."} (10: 89-88). The prophet (PBUH) also prayed against the idolaters among his people as it was in the battle of Badr: (O Allah! descend on the Quraish) thrice. Allah, the Almighty said: لاَّ يُحِبُّ اللَّهُ الْجَهْرَ بِالسُّوء مِنَ الْقَوْلِ إِلاَّ مَن ظُلِمَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ سَمِيعاً عَلِيماً { Allah loveth not that evil should be noised abroad in public speech, except where injustice hath been done; for Allah is He who heareth and knoweth all things.} (4:148). Ibn Abbaas said: (God does not love that a person curses the other except in the case of injustice where permission have been given on such ground according to the verse: { except where injustice hath been done } and that patience is the best for him). Ibn Sa’di said: “Allah informs through the verse that he does not like proclaiming evil publicly, meaning He hates and detests it and will punish for it, { except where injustice hath been done }: That is it is allowed to invoke against or curse who wrong him unjustly and complain and speak out against him, as long as he is not fabricating falsehood against him, he should not add to the claim and must not transgress or exceed in the demand. (Taiseerul-Kareem Rahman, p. 175) So therefore let the oppressor beware of the invocation or curses of the oppressed by moving away from injustice for the prayer of the oppressed is quickly accepted, there is no barrier between it and Allah. Abu Hurairah said: the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said: (The invocation of the oppressed is responded to even if he is morally corrupt, the wrath of his immorality is on himself). (Classed as Hasan by Al-baani in Saheeh Al-jaami ', 3,382). From Abu Hurairah that the Prophet peace be upon him said: (Allah raises the invocation of the oppressed above the clouds and the gates of heaven are opened for it and the Lord says: “By my might, I will surely assist you even if it is after a while) narrated by Al-tirmidhi, May God bless you all and myself with the Holy Qur'aan, and benefit us all from the lessons there in. Having said all you heard, I seek forgiveness from Allah for me and for you all, Muslims, engage in seeking forgiveness from Him, He is All-forgiving, Most- merciful. The Second Sermon All praises are due to Allah the forgiver of sins, the accepter of repentance and the concealer of defects and flaws, the remover of anguish and agony. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone without any partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May the peace and blessings of God be upon him, his families, and all his companions. Dear Muslims, you ensure to uphold remembrance of Allah and prayer with due causative actions. Attainment of victory has its causes likewise gaining the support of Allah has its causes as well. The first of these causes is to withdraw from sins and sincere repentance from all iniquities with soul purification as well the purification of homes and societies and communities of forbidden things. This is the first step without which victory is achievable. It is also mandatory to augment these means with remembrance of Allah and quality prayers perhaps Allah could save you through the blessings of your remembrance (tahleel, tasbeeh) and recourse to Him. If you establish true remembrance of Allah fervently with your tongue and praying and beseeching him sincerely in your heart Allah will surely deliver and save you with the blessings of your prayer. The Messenger of Allah increases prayer, and insistence on God, beseeching Him with humility before Allah especially when calamity and adversity befalls. Part of his prayer in such situation includes: يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أسْتَغِيثُ أَصْلِحْ ليِ شَأْنِي كُلَّهُ وَلاَ تَكِلْنِي إِلىَ نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ meaning (The Living Lord, The Self- Existent Lord, I seek protection with Your mercy, reform my affairs and do not leave me to my fate even for a blink of an eye.) Ali bin Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him said: the Messenger of Allah taught me the words to say when there is fear (لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ الْحَلِيمُ اْلكَرِيمُ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَتَبَارَكَ اللهُ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ) Meaning (there is no god but Allah, the Clement, the Generous, glory be to Allah, blessed be Allah, the Lord of the mighty throne, and praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds). It is required of you Muslims to repent to Allah and give up sins and repentance from all sins, and increase in the remembrance of Allah and supplications to the Lord of lords, may he be glorified and exalted, Oh God, forgive Muslim men and women, believing men and women, the living and the dead, you are All- hearing, All-knowing. Oh Allah! The condition of our Muslim brothers and sisters in the west and east are all known to you, O Allah assist them, do not assist others against them, support their plans, do not support the plots of others against them, ease their guidance, help them against those who oppress them. O Allah choose the best among them as leaders for them, protect them against the evil ones among them, and make their states among those who fear and revere You, and follow Your religion and seek Your pleasure. You are surely a responder to supplications.