Types of Oppression and Its Consequences on the Day of Judgment

Source: Sharh Kitab al-Jami' min Bulugh al-Maram by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Translation by Hafiz Abdul Salam bin Muhammad Bhattwi

Hadith on Oppression​

Narrated by Ibn Umar (RA):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Oppression will be darkness on the Day of Judgment." [Muttafaqun 'alayh]
Reference: [Sahih al-Bukhari 2447], [Sahih Muslim, Al-Birr wa al-Silah: 57] (See Tuhfat al-Ashraf 458/5)

Explanation and Benefits​

1. Definition of Oppression (Zulm):
   
   • Linguistic Meaning: According to most scholars and linguists, oppression means placing something in a place where it doesn't belong, such as giving someone's right to another person. Any transgression beyond the rightful place is considered oppression, whether it is a small or large act. Even small mistakes can be referred to as oppression, such as when Adam (AS) made a mistake and was called an oppressor, as was Iblis (Satan). Although they are vastly different in nature, both were labeled as oppressive. [Mufradat al-Raghib]
2. Three Types of Oppression:
   
   • A. Oppression Related to Allah:
     
     • The greatest form of oppression is kufr (disbelief), shirk (associating partners with Allah), and nifaq (hypocrisy). This is because a polytheist (mushrik) gives the rights of Allah to His creation. Allah says:
       إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ
       "Indeed, shirk is a great injustice." [Luqman 31:13]
     • Allah also says:
       وَيَقُولُ الْأَشْهَادُ هَـٰؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا عَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ ۚ أَلَا لَعْنَةُ اللَّـهِ عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ
       "And the witnesses will say, 'These are the ones who lied against their Lord. Verily, the curse of Allah is upon the oppressors.'" [Hud 11:18]
   • B. Oppression Against Others:
     
     • This refers to the oppression people do to one another, whether in terms of their life, wealth, or honor. Allah says:
       وَجَزَاءُ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا
       "The recompense for an evil is an evil like it." [Ash-Shura 42:40]
     • Allah further says:
       إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ
       "Indeed, He does not love the oppressors." [Ash-Shura 42:40]
     • And also:
       إِنَّمَا السَّبِيلُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَظْلِمُونَ النَّاسَ
       "The path of punishment is only for those who oppress people." [Ash-Shura 42:42]
   • C. Oppression Against Oneself:
     
     • This refers to a person oppressing themselves through sin or disobedience. Allah says:
       فَمِنْهُمْ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِ
       "Among them are those who oppress themselves." [Fatir 35:32]
     • Allah also says:
       ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي
       "I have wronged myself." [Al-Qasas 28:16]
     • And:
       فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
       "And you will be among the oppressors." [Al-Baqarah 2:35]
     • Allah mentions:
       وَمَا ظَلَمُونَا وَلَـٰكِن كَانُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ
       "And they did not wrong Us, but they wronged themselves." [Al-Baqarah 2:57], [Al-A'raf 7:160]
3. Oppression on the Day of Judgment:
   
   • The oppression will manifest as various forms of darkness on the Day of Judgment. The darkness refers to the lack of light (guidance) for the oppressors, while the believers will have light leading them:
     نُورُهُمْ يَسْعَىٰ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَبِأَيْمَانِهِمْ
     "Their light will run ahead of them and on their right." [At-Tahrim 66:8]
   • Alternatively, the darkness could refer to the severe trials on the Day of Judgment. As Allah says:
     قُلْ مَن يُنَجِّيكُم مِّن ظُلُمَاتِ الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ
     "Say, 'Who rescues you from the darkness of the land and the sea?'" [Al-An'am 6:63]
   • These darknesses could also be interpreted as the severe punishments and consequences that await the oppressors.
4. The Consequences of Oppression:
   
   • If the oppression is in the form of kufr or shirk, then such actions will prevent the oppressor from entering Paradise:
     إِنَّهُ مَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّـهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللَّـهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ
     "Indeed, whoever associates partners with Allah - Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire." [Al-Ma'idah 5:72]
   • If the oppression is between people, then the Prophet ﷺ advised:
     "Whoever has wronged his brother should seek his forgiveness, for there is no dinar or dirham in the Hereafter. Instead, the wronged person's good deeds will be taken from the wrongdoer. If the wrongdoer has no good deeds, the sins of the wronged person will be placed upon him." [Sahih al-Bukhari 6534, 2449]
     
     • When a person’s good deeds are taken away, their light will be extinguished, leading to darkness on the Day of Judgment.

Conclusion​

The various forms of oppression are grave, and their consequences on the Day of Judgment are severe. Whether oppression is directed towards Allah, others, or oneself, it brings about a great deal of darkness and suffering. Believers must be mindful of their actions and seek forgiveness for any wrong they commit to avoid the consequences on the Day of Judgment.