assistancetooppressed

Islam appeared in a society in which cruelty and oppression was fully current along with other evils. Rich tyrants oppressed their subjects and other weak people as much as possible and made them submit to their authority. There were also some who kept silent on account of fear or for some other reasons and thus practically endorsed their action (i.e. the action of the tyrants) by their silence. For this reason they became in a position to continue their tyrannical actions as far as possible.

Islam, besides having threatened the oppressors and condemning them and considering them distant from Allah's blessings, takes seriously to task and warns of divine torture the second group viz. persons who sit silent and do not help the oppressed.

Imam al Sadiq (as) says:
"When a muslim, in spite of being in a position to assist his brother, abstains from doing so, Allah also abstains from assisting him in this world as well as in the hereafter."

Islam orders its followers to campaign against the tyrants and to assist the oppressed.

Imam Ali (as) says to his son:
"Always campaign against the tyrant and help the oppressed person."

The holy Prophet (saw) says:
"Allah appointed an angel to keep that person safe, from the fire of Hell, on the Day of Judgement, who saves a believer from the oppression of a cruel person."

And Imam al Sadiq (as) says:
"It is better for a Muslim to help his oppressed brother than to fast and to sit in itikaf (seclusion) for one month in Masjid al - Haram (by the side of the House of Allah).

Imam al Baqir (as) says:
"A true believer lived in the country of a cruel king. That king was very keen to oppress the true believers. The man was, therefore, compelled to leave his country and seek refuge in the country of non-believers and there he took up abode in the house of an infidel. The heathen accorded him respect, gave him asylum and concealed him. When the time of his death drew near Allah made this revelation to him:

"I swear by My Dignity and Glory that if there had been a place in Paradise for the infidels I would have rewarded you by accommodating you in Paradise, but Paradise is forbidden for you infidels. However, O fire! Take hold of him but do not hurt him."

In one of his remarks about assisting the oppressed.

Imam al Sadiq (as) says clearly:
"It is the duty of every muslim and imcubent upon him to assist a Muslim (against the tyrants)."

c