"Zulm" (Oppression) is such a word, whose true meaning many people are unaware of. Generally, when the word 'zulm' strikes the eardrums, the thought that revolves in the mind is that a powerful person suppressing the weak, beating them, seizing someone else's land, forcibly occupying someone else's goods, the ruling party not fulfilling the rights of the subjects, and arrogant people sitting on chairs being unjust to their subordinates is 'zulm'; however, 'zulm' is not just this; rather, there are many other types of 'zulm' that we commit day and night, and we don't even realize that they are 'zulm'.
"Zulm" is an Arabic word, which means "Wada' al-Shay' fi Ghair Mahallih" (placing something in a place other than its designated place), that is, placing something in a place other than its designated place, not doing something at its appointed time, and postponing today's work to tomorrow is 'zulm'. According to this true meaning of 'zulm', its scope is very wide, which is like trying to contain the sea in a cup in a short essay.
Today we live in a society where it is common to commit 'zulm' against each other, not fulfilling each other's rights, and neglecting one's official duties. Therefore, children are happy to disobey their parents, parents are unable to fulfill the rights of their children, wives are unable to obey and be loyal to their husbands, husbands consider it permissible for them to use force against their wives, brothers consider it necessary to deprive their sisters of inheritance and commit injustice, and sisters consider it permissible to promote mutual disputes; in short, there is a long list of 'zulm', some of which need to be put on paper, which are not even considered 'zulm' in our society, and are performed without hesitation, thinking them to be good deeds.
(1) The biggest and most horrific 'zulm' in our society is committed against widows and divorced girls. Everyone from parents to every individual in the society is involved in this. Therefore, in our society, widowed and divorced daughters and sisters have no status, they are considered the most insignificant, all kinds of injustices against them are not only considered permissible; but are considered better, their lives are made difficult in every way, the parents themselves start saying bad things to them, they give them all kinds of taunts, they make their lives miserable for their smallest mistake, their language is always adorned with abusive words, if, God forbid, they become victims of some disease, and are unable to do household chores, instead of worrying about their illness, they are forced to do all the work even in that state of illness, and in case of refusal, they are either kept hungry, or thrown out of the house, due to which when they have no more strength left to bear further 'zulm', their cup of patience overflows, all their support is snatched away from them from all sides, and the earth, despite its vastness, begins to complain of narrowness for them, then unwillingly, they hand over their lives to the Creator and try to get rid of this life full of misery. Alas for such a society! Curses on such parents and family members! Who instead of understanding the pain of their daughter and sister, give more pain, and sprinkle salt on their wounds instead of putting balm. For God's sake! Parents should open their eyes, understand their daughter as a daughter, feel their pain, do not leave them helpless in this cruel world, considering them as their responsibility instead of considering them as a burden, get them married by finding a suitable family, if they are on the wrong path, then worry about reforming them.
(2) The second 'zulm' in our society, in which the common and the elite, the learned and the ignorant are all involved, is 'zulm' against unmarried children, whether it is a boy or a girl, both are oppressed; rather, more 'zulm' is done to girls. Today the environment has become such that at least the boy's wishes are inquired before marriage, his likes and dislikes are also taken into consideration; but alas, no one even thinks about the preferences of our daughters, that father who is willing to give his life for the love of his daughter; but at the time of marriage, he also becomes a 'zalim' (oppressor), and sacrificing his daughter only for his ego and stubbornness, just looking at the abundance of wealth, sends her off with a libertine, a sinner, and a debauched and rogue person, and after marriage, he never even bothers to inquire about her condition, he doesn't care how she is living her life, this is not only 'zulm' but an injustice on top of injustice.
Similarly, not getting married at the right age is also a kind of 'zulm' on children, because due to this, children adopt the wrong path, and finally become compelled to commit a great sin like adultery. Here, it should be kept in mind that the evils that arise in the society due to not getting married at the right time and at the right age, the evils that children commit, the responsibility for them also lies on the parents and guardians, the sin is also recorded in their book of deeds, and they will also be held accountable in the court of God Almighty.
(3) Similarly, in our society, committing 'zulm' against the wife is also considered bravery for oneself, and using force against her is considered one's right, due to which her life is made miserable in so many ways that it becomes difficult to distinguish between a husband and a beast; whereas in many places in the blessed hadiths, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has commanded to do good and be well-wishers to women, therefore, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said in one place: "Astausu bin-nisa'i khairan, fa inna al-mar'ata khuliqat min dhil'in, wa inna a'waja shai'in fi adh-dhil'i a'lahu, fa in dhahabta tuqimuhu kasartahu, wa in taraktahu lam yazal a'waja, fastausu bin-nisa'i khairan." (Treat women well, for woman was created from a rib, and the most crooked part of the rib is its upper part. If you try to straighten it, you will break it, and if you leave it, it will remain crooked; therefore, treat women well.) (Mishkat al-Masabih Hadith: 3238). And in another place, he said: "An Aisha Radi Allahu Anha Qalat: Qala Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam: Khairukum Khairukum li Ahlihi, wa Ana Khairukum li Ahli." (The best of you is the one who is best to his family, and I am the best of you to my family.) (Mishkat al-Masabih Hadith: 3252) In the light of these hadiths, the husband should be well-wishing to his wife in every way, let her live freely considering her as his companion in life, refrain from unnecessary restrictions and unwarranted scolding, and live life with mutual love and affection.
(4) The fourth 'zulm' is that children have gone beyond limits in disobeying their parents, scolding parents on every matter, humiliating them, venting their anger on them, and cursing them has become a common thing, today their importance and greatness is put behind their backs, let alone their respect? It is not even acceptable to take their name properly, those parents who raised them, took care of their needs, endured hardships themselves to provide all kinds of comfort and ease, endured all kinds of troubles, and did not allow any kind of trouble to arise in their lives, in view of whose greatness the Holy Quran has forbidden even saying "Uff" (a word of annoyance); but alas! Today, mountains of oppression are being broken on them, although the Holy Quran has repeatedly encouraged good treatment with parents, emphasized praying for their well-being, and severe threats and warnings have been given for disobeying them; therefore, children should take heed, and repent of this great sin and ask forgiveness from their parents and refrain from causing any kind of suffering in the future.
These are some of the major 'zulm's, which are not even considered 'zulm's, while performing them, they do not even think about them being sins, despite having faith in the Day of Judgment and resurrection after death, they do not even have the feeling of fear of God, they only chant "Reformation of Society"; but they do not think about changing themselves, although it is necessary for the promotion of a righteous society, that the duties imposed on oneself should be performed with excellence and beauty, the rights of others should be fulfilled with complete honesty and integrity, by keeping "Kullukum Ra'in wa Kullukum Mas'ulun An Ra'iyyatihi" (Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock) in mind, one should fulfill one's responsibility, when every individual in the society realizes his responsibility, then surely this society will automatically become righteous, neither will there be a need to decorate the stage of any gathering, nor will there be a need to call any professional speaker and waste money.
May Allah grant the ability to do good deeds, Amen.
✍️: Muhammad Shahid Gadawi