Principle of Care for the Oppressed

(part 3)

The  Prophet's (PBUH)  Stance  in  Defense  of  the Oppressed

The Noble Prophet spared no efforts to awaken the conscience of the oppressed to free themselves from the chains of slavery and put an end to oppression. According to Imam Khomeini (R.A):

“The Noble Prophet freed the oppressed from the yoke of the oppressors in the best possible way in those days. The blessings of God on the Noble Prophet and his progeny; he rose all by himself against idolatry and the oppressors to unfurl the flag of monotheism for the oppressed. The holy Prophet believed that those who abstain from oppression are the best of God's creatures, and he served them as best as he could. He said:

“This is the stance of Islam: The oppressed should rise and regain their right, as God said to his Chosen Messenger:

“Restrain thyself along with those who cry unto their Lord at morning and evening, seeking His Countenance; and let not thine eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance, who followeth his own lust and whose case hath been abandoned.”‌

It is said that this verse was revealed to the Noble Prophet about the oppressed such as Salman (the Persian), dhar, Shu'ayb (the Roman) and Khabbab and poor people like them who were among the staunch Muslims. The reason was the illogical condition set by the ignorant and haughty Arabs who despite claiming to be Muslims prided on the ways of the days of Jahiliyyah such as love of wealth and disdain of the deprived. They came to the Noble Prophet and said: If you sit at the head of the meeting and make these poor men with their foul smell leave us, along with those in rags, we will sit next to you and listen to your words. Nothing but this group prevents us from joining you.

The oppressors who couldn't stand the oppressed, asked the Noble Prophet to join them and turn his back to the deprived members of the society. They would tell him: If you shun t them, we'll join you. We have money and are strong. What should the Noble Prophet tell them? Should he tell them Islam doesn't want you, although Islam is for everyone? If he tells them I accept you and have you next to me, shall I reject the oppressed? They were always the best creatures of God and his followers. This verse was sent to him and cleared the issue for him. It meant to say: O' Prophet!  Stay with the righteous oppressed and true believers. Stay with those who don't call for anyone but God and only thrive for his satisfaction. Don't turn your back to them. Don't go after the ornaments of the world and centers of power and don't try to pave your way with the help of them. Don't follow the oppressors as they only love this world, and for this reason the love of God has no place in their heart. They are only after materialistic goods and  their  whims  and  they  are  only  after  oppression, aggression and extravagance.

Thus the Noble Prophet was with them and next to them. Imam Khomeini (R.A) says in this regard: rich who put the masses into sleep. He was with the poor in order to awaken the masses.”

Source:

Behavior and Character of the Holy Prophet of Islam from Imam Khomeini's Viewpoint  

Written By: Mostafa Dilshad Tehrani 

Translator: Ali Shahbaz 

‌Other Links:

Principle of Mercy and Blessings-Love and Affection