The Prophet Testimony against Unjust Muslims

📖Sunan Abi Dawud 3052
Narrated A number of Companions of the Prophet: Safwan reported from a number of Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on the authority of their fathers who were relatives of each other. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Beware, if anyone wrongs a contracting man, or diminishes his right, or forces him to work beyond his capacity, or takes from him anything without his consent, I shall plead for him on the Day of Judgment.”

Explanation:

This profound hadith from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ highlights universal human rights, particularly those concerning fairness, justice, and protection from exploitation. It sets a powerful ethical standard for all human interactions, not just among Muslims, but between all people regardless of religion, race, or status.

Key Lessons:

1. Universal Protection – Not Limited to Muslims:

The term “contracting man” (in Arabic: Mu‘āhid) refers to anyone under a contract or agreement, and historically even referred to non-Muslims living under Muslim rule. The Prophet ﷺ didn’t restrict this hadith to Muslims only, which makes it clear that Islamic justice extends to all individuals, Muslim or not. Wronging anyone, Muslim or non-Muslim, is equally condemnable.

2. Worker’s Rights and Ethical Labor Practices:

The hadith lays down four unethical actions:

• Wronging the worker: through unfair treatment, verbal abuse, delay in payment, or deception.

• Diminishing their rights: underpaying them, withholding agreed wages, or denying promised benefits.

• Overburdening them: assigning work beyond their physical or mental capacity.

• Taking without consent: using their resources, time, or skills unjustly or forcefully.

This hadith safeguards the dignity of every worker, ensuring they are treated as human beings with rights—not tools to be used or discarded.

3. Prophetic Advocacy on the Day of Judgment:

The Prophet ﷺ personally pledging to intercede on behalf of the oppressed is an extraordinary warning. It shows the seriousness of such injustice in Islam. It’s not just a social issue—it is a matter of eternal accountability. No one would want to face the Prophet ﷺ as an opponent on the Day of Judgment.

4. Consent is Sacred:

Taking something from anyone without their clear and willing consent is labeled oppression. Whether it’s property, time, effort, or rights—without consent, it is theft in the sight of Allah. This includes forced labor, manipulation, and contractual exploitation.

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Qur’anic Context:

📖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 affirms that fair treatment and justice are divine commands, not optional values.

📖Quran 55:9
“And establish weight in justice and do not make deficient the balance.”

Every deal, contract, and agreement must be based on justice, no side should be cheated, and no worker should be oppressed.

📖Quran 26:183
“And do not deprive people of their due and do not commit abuse on Earth, spreading corruption.”

Taking someone’s right, whether small or big, is a form of corruption, which brings about divine displeasure.

📖Quran 7:33
“Say, My Lord has only forbidden immoralities… and that you oppress one another without right…”

Oppression in any form, economic, emotional, or physical, is strictly forbidden.

Conclusion:

This hadith delivers a timeless message: Justice is not negotiable in Islam, and the rights of every human being must be preserved. From the perspective of Islamic teachings, oppressing a worker or any individual under your authority is a major sin. It doesn’t matter whether the person is Muslim or non-Muslim, rich or poor, citizen or foreigner—oppression has no place in Islam. The Prophet ﷺ standing against the oppressor and with the oppressed on the Day of Judgment should awaken every heart. If you wrong someone here, be ready to face the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the hereafter—and he won’t be on your side.