Guard Against Oppression and Stinginess

📖Sahih Muslim 2578
Jabir b. Abdullah reported that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said: “Be on your guard against committing oppression, for oppression is a darkness on the Day of Resurrection, and be on your guard against stinginess for stinginess destroyed those who were before you, as it incited them to shed blood and make lawful what was unlawful for them.”

Explanation:

In this hadith, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ highlights two serious and destructive qualities: oppression and stinginess. Both are shown to have severe consequences, not only in this world but also on the Day of Resurrection.

1. Oppression:

   • Oppression refers to unjustly treating others by violating their rights, whether it is in terms of wealth, power, dignity, or anything else that belongs to them. In Islam, oppression is viewed as one of the gravest sins. The Prophet ﷺ is warning the believers that such unjust behavior will be a source of darkness on the Day of Judgment, symbolizing the dire consequences it will bring in the Hereafter. It is a sin that creates a barrier between the person and Allah’s mercy.

   • The Prophet ﷺ also emphasizes that Allah is the ultimate avenger of oppression, and no one will escape the consequences of unjust actions. This hadith urges believers to act justly and fairly towards everyone, avoiding any form of harm or injustice.

2. Stinginess

   • Stinginess or greed refers to withholding what is due to others, whether it’s wealth, help, or kindness. The Prophet ﷺ warns that stinginess can corrupt societies, as it leads people to disregard the needs of others and to engage in actions that are harmful or immoral to preserve their wealth.

   • The hadith mentions that stinginess led to the downfall of previous nations, causing them to shed blood (murder) and make things unlawful (haram) in order to justify their selfish actions. A stingy person may resort to injustice, cruelty, or unlawful acts to secure their material gains, which is why the Prophet ﷺ connects it to severe consequences.

The message of the hadith is clear: oppression and stinginess are not merely undesirable traits but are linked to a moral decay that leads people to commit acts that are unethical, unjust, and harmful. The Prophet ﷺ calls on the believers to avoid both and to uphold justice, generosity, and fairness in all of their dealings.

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Qur’anic Verses

The Qur’an explicitly condemns both oppression and stinginess, warning of their consequences and urging believers to act justly and generously.

1. Oppression:

   • Oppression is considered a grave sin in the Qur’an, as Allah warns against any form of unjust treatment.

   📖Quran 42:42
   “And the way of blame is only against those who wrong people and act corruptly on the earth, without right. Those will have a painful punishment.”

   This verse illustrates that oppression brings about a punishment and that it is unacceptable in Islam. Allah is just, and He will hold oppressors accountable.

   📖Quran 4:58
   “Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.”

   This verse highlights justice as a fundamental principle in Islam, urging believers to act fairly and justly in all matters.

2. Stinginess:

   • Stinginess or greed leads to selfishness, harming not only the individual but also society. The Qur’an encourages generosity and charity, stressing that those who are stingy are ungrateful for the blessings Allah has given them.

   📖Quran 2:177
   “It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the east or the west, but righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the Prophets; and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves.”

   This verse stresses that righteousness involves being generous and selfless, even when it means parting with what we love most, i.e., our wealth. It is a reminder that stinginess is not a virtue, but rather a negative trait that hinders spiritual growth and leads to the suffering of others.

   📖Quran 3:180
   “And let not those who greedily withhold what We have given them of His favor think it is good for them. Rather, it is worse for them. They will be tied down to their necks on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth. And Allah, with what you do, is All-Aware.”

   This verse emphasizes the punishment for stinginess, indicating that hoarding wealth or resources without sharing is a form of ingratitude and will have severe consequences in the Hereafter.

3. Connection between Oppression and Stinginess:

   Both oppression and stinginess lead to destruction of societies. The Prophet ﷺ highlighted that stinginess can incite violence and cause people to justify unlawful actions to protect their material interests. The Qur’an makes clear that greed and injustice corrupt societies and that the true wealth lies in acts of righteousness, such as giving charity and treating others fairly.

   📖Quran 47:22
   “So would you perhaps, if you turned away, cause corruption on earth and sever your ties of kinship?”

   This verse shows the destructive effects of selfishness and injustice. When people prioritize their material desires over fairness and compassion, they disrupt the social fabric and cause harm to society.

Conclusion:

The hadith of Sahih Muslim 2578 teaches the believers the grave consequences of oppression and stinginess. Both are destructive not only in this world but also on the Day of Resurrection, where they will bring darkness and punishment. The Qur’an emphasizes justice, generosity, and the importance of avoiding these two qualities. Oppression harms others and disrupts the balance of society, while stinginess leads to corruption and selfishness. The Prophet ﷺ urges the believers to strive for fairness, generosity, and selflessness in all their dealings, as these qualities will bring them closer to Allah’s mercy and protect them from punishment.