Principle of Confronting Oppressors

part 1

“Since the very first days of history Prophets have confronted tyrannical regimes. Since the advent of the Prophets until the time of the Noble Prophet (PBUH) and after him, in the days of the Infallible Imams, they have always fought the oppressors.”‌

Importance of Confronting Oppressors and Tyranny Fighting  oppression  means  confrontation  with  any predominance, pride and thuggish attitudes. This has a special  place  in  the  doctrine  of  the  Noble  Prophet. Oppression has many faces which have to be confronted in any shape it appears, because if human rights and respect is not defended, all human and religious boundaries would be aggressed   as   the   oppressors   don't   recognize   any boundaries. If their aggression is not prevented, the whole world would be filled with their tyranny and darkness.

“And if Allah had not repelled some men by others the earth would have been corrupted.”‌

If oppression is not confronted, tyrants will transgress all boundaries and bury all dignity and will not hesitate to desecrate and destroy all sacred places:

The  seekers  of  truth  have  always  confronted  the aggression of the followers of Satan. On one side there have been the Prophets and their followers and on the other different aspects of aggression-tyrannical political powers, corrupt economic powers and pervert religious powers. Along with the Prophets there have always been righteous men who have never let go of the flag of resistance. “Muhammad is but a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. Will it be that, when he dieth or is slain, ye will turn back on your heels? He who turneth back on his heels doth no hurt to Allah, and Allah will reward the thankful.”‌

The trend of the struggle of the prophets and their historic role was that they rose against injustice, against atheism   and   idolatry,   discrimination   and   aggression, exploitation, slavery, autocracy and lack of freedom. In one word they confronted all emasculation, as well as disbelief in all its social, political and economic aspects. They never lined up with aggressors and never stepped in any path but the  one  that  led  to  a  fight  against  aggression  and oppression. As Imam Khomeini (R.A) puts it:

“Anyone pondering in the history of prophets will realize that they were chosen from the masses and attacked the powerful. Moses was a shepherd with a staff who rose against the Pharaoh. Our own Prophet (PBUH), whose his mission is in the full limelight of history, is more recent. He was one from among the masses, belonged to the people and to the last day of his life he was confronting the rich and the orchard owners and capitalists. Such were the Prophets who put fear in the powerful. They didn't belong to the powerful to fool the normal people.”‌

When you look at history, you see that the Noble Prophet arose with the same poor people against the orchard owners and the rich and the capitalist who were symbols of Pharaoh those days. Anyone studying the Holy Qur'an, which is the document of Islam, will see many verses that are about wars. The Noble Prophet firmly stood against those who wanted to exploit others. This was the conduct of the prophets. The Prophets and the Imams strove against people who oppressed others. Since the first day the Prophets were chosen by God, and they stood steadfast. Till the era of the Imams, they kept on their struggle .

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 Care for the Oppressed (part 1)  

Principle of Care for the Oppressed (part 2)