It was authentically reported on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet () sent Mu’adh to Yemen and said to him, “Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah." (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim

Overall meaning

When the Prophet () sent Mu’adh to the people of Yemen to invite them to Islam, he guided him to some important rules to be applied while calling people to the truth that he had brought. Among other things, he () addressed Mu’adh (may Allah be pleased with him) asking him to focus on laying the foundations of justice among the members of the society, and warning against the consequences of a supplication made by an oppressed person, because it will be undoubtedly answered by Allah; or according the statement of the Prophet () ‘there is no barrier between it and Allah.’ This means that the door of supplication is open and that there are no barriers or blockers to hamper its course.

Supplication of the oppressed

This great Hadith referred to a fundamental issue that has the greatest impact on the path of Da’wah, which is keenness to achieve the principle of justice and warning against engaging in injustice. In this regard, the Prophet () said, “Beware of the supplication of the oppressed,” i.e. guard against it by pursuing justice and avoiding injustice. Its grave consequence is highlighted in the Prophet’s saying, “for there is no barrier between it and Allah,” meaning that it is uninterrupted, even if there is something that impedes responding to the oppressed, such as his food and drink are unlawful and the like. The Prophet () said, “There are three supplications that will undoubtedly be answered: the supplication of one who has been wronged…” (Narrated by Ibn Majah)

Moreover, it is not a condition that the oppressed be a believer, for the supplication of the wronged non-Muslim also ascends to Allah, the Almighty, since his disbelief harms nobody but himself, as stated in the narration of Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him): “Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, even if he is an unbeliever, for there is no barrier between it and Allah.” (Narrated by Ahmad in his Musnad)

The Hadith gives a reference to the status of the supplication of the oppressed with Allah, the Almighty, especially since He guaranteed to give him the upper hand, as stated in the Hadith “Beware of the supplication of the one who has been wronged, for it is raised above the clouds and Allah says, ‘I swear by My Might that I will certainly help you, though it is after some time.’” (Narrated by At-Tabarani)

History is full of accounts about nations that initially prevailed and then perished. Only the supplications of the oppressed and the tormented people could overthrow their thrones. Take Pharaoh as an example, who went too far in his tyranny, and was a despot ruler. The Children of Israel tasted all kinds of unthinkable torments at his hands, killing their children and leaving their women to live in humiliation. Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) did not do more than show his people the way to victory over the enemy, saying to them: “Seek help through Allah and be patient.” [Quran 7: 128]. Thus, he commanded them to resort to Allah, the Almighty, and followed his words with actions so that his people might follow his example. He raised his hands in submissiveness to Allah, the Almighty, and diligently invoked Allah against Pharaoh and his aides. Recounting this event, Allah, the Almighty, said, “And Moses said, ‘Our Lord, indeed You have given Pharaoh and his establishment splendor and wealth in the worldly life our Lord, that they may lead [men] astray from Your way. Our Lord, obliterate their wealth and harden their hearts so that they will not believe until they see the painful punishment.’” [Quran 10: 88]

Eventually, Allah answered his prayer, and imagine what the recompense of Pharaoh was. Allah drowned him and his soldiers in the sea. Neither his kingdom nor his tyranny availed him in any way. This was his recompense in this world, but in the Hereafter, nothing is awaiting him but Hellfire. Allah, the Almighty, said, “The Fire, they are exposed to it morning and evening. And the Day the Hour appears [it will be said], ‘Make the people of Pharaoh enter the severest punishment.’”

Take another example of the People of Madyan (Midian), who were famous for cheating in measures and giving people less than their dues, although they would receive their full due if they were the other party of the transaction. Therefore, Prophet Shu’ayb (peace be upon him) warned them of this despicable conduct and said to them: “Give full measure and do not be of those who cause loss. And weigh with an even balance. And do not deprive people of their due and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.” [Quran 26: 181-183]

However, their response was marked with mockery, despise, threat, and warning. Therefore, he sought Allah‘s victory over them and prayed and said, “Our Lord, decide between us and our people in truth, and You are the best of those who give decisions.” [Quran 7: 89]. Then, Allah answered his supplication and sent upon them a fierce heat that was neither mitigated by drinking nor lightened by shadows. Then He sent upon them a great cloud containing sparks and flames and a great glow. Later, they were overtaken by an awful cry from heaven and an earthquake, which led to their destruction. Their dominion and power profited them naught.

These two examples, as well as many others, show how greatly this issue is regarded by Allah.

The reality of injustice

Injustice is one of the despicable qualities and vile morals, and that is why Allah, Glory be to Him, exalted Himself from it and said: “Indeed, Allah does not wrong the people at all, but it is the people who are wronging themselves.” [Quran 10: 44]. He, the Almighty, has even forbidden it to Himself, as it is stated in the Qudsi (Sacred) Hadith “O My slaves, I have made oppression unlawful for Myself and I have made it unlawful among you, so do not oppress one another.” (Narrated by Muslim)

Injustice is one of the greatest calamities that have plagued humanity. It has a catastrophic effect on both individuals and societies. The Quran has established this fact and clarified that the cause of the destruction of towns and nations is the oppression that their peoples committed. Allah, the Almighty, said, “And We would not destroy the cities except while their people were wrongdoers.” [Quran 28: 59] “And your Lord would not have destroyed the cities unjustly while their people were reformers.” [Quran 11: 117]

As noted by Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, “Letting down an unjust state, even if it was Muslim, and giving victory to the just state, even if it was a non-Muslim, are one of the universal norms that Allah established in this world.” Justice and truth are the foundations upon which the heavens and the earth are built. Allah, the Almighty, said, “We did not create the heavens and earth and what is between them except in truth.” [Quran 46: 3]

A person who ponders over the Book of Allah, the Almighty, and the Sunnah of His Prophet () would find many texts that condemn injustice and its people and warn people against it. In the Quran, Allah mentioned injustice over two hundred and forty times, warning against it in different ways and through various derivatives. On one occasion, Allah would dissociate Himself from injustice and say, “And your Lord is not ever unjust to [His] servants.” [Quran 41: 46]. In another context, He would command fair treatment with all people, even non-Muslims “Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives.” [Quran 16: 90] “and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just.” [Quran 5: 8]. Sometimes, injustice and its people are dispraised and associated with Allah’s hatred “And [all] faces will be humbled before the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. And he will have failed who carries injustice.” [Quran 20: 111]. Allah, the Almighty, also described sins that are less evil than polytheism as wrongdoing “They said, ‘Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.’” [Quran 7: 23]

As for the Sunnah, in addition to the Hadith in hand, many honorable Hadiths denounce this reprehensible characteristic. It was reported on the authority of Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah () said, “Beware of oppression, for oppression will turn into excessive darkness on the Day of Resurrection.” (Narrated by Muslim)

The Prophet () deeply rooted this truth in the souls of his honorable Companions, and made it clear to them that it is one of Allah’s universal norms that do not change or be altered; therefore, He forbade injustice and mentioned the stories of previous nations who were unjust, so they received the recompense for their injustice in this world before the Hereafter.

Injustice has dire consequences on individuals in particular and people in general. Life cannot experience stability without justice. Therefore, the Prophet () was keen to inculcate this principle in Mu’adh, and guided him to avoid being the object of the supplication of an oppressed person, as mentioned in his supplication, “I seek refuge in You lest I should wrong others and be wronged by them.”

We ask Allah, the Almighty, to protect us from oppression and its people, and praise be to Allah first and foremost!