“Make a resolution of abstaining from all Dhulm (oppression) because Dhulm leads to darkness in the Hereafter (and according to another opinion, it leads to hardships in the Hereafter)”

What is Dhulm?

Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (Hafizahullaah) explained during the 19th Annual Youth Conference that according to the the Scholars there are three categories of Dhulm the highest stage of it being that of Shirk (Idolatry), Kufr (Disbelief) and Nifaaq (Hypocricy). The second category is the violation of the rights of Allah subhaanahu wata’ala i.e. non performance of Salaat, Sawm, Zakaat and Hajj and the disobedience of Allah subhaanahu wata’ala i.e. gazing at non mehram, listening to music, consumption of alcohol/drugs, gambling etc. The third category of Dhulm is that violation of the rights of the creation i.e. backbiting, slander, cheating in matters of monetary dealings and inheritance and harming mentally or physically another human being (be it a Muslim or non-Muslim) or animals.

Fear oppression in all its forms as Allah subhaanahu wata’ala gives the oppressor respite before finally grabbing hold, a hold from which there is no escape. The punishment which awaits in the Hereafter is a certainty however even in this world the oppressor will suffer hardships.

Therefore repent from all disobedience and do not become despondent at the mercy of our Lord. Shaykh explained that there are three categories of the oppressor, the Dhaalim (Oppressor of a lower category), the Dhaloom (oppressor of a higher category) and the Dhallaam (An oppressor of the highest category who has left out no sin). So Allah subhaanahu wata’ala has three qualities with which He will meet His regretful slave. He will meet the Dhaalim as Al-Ghaafir (One who is forgiving), He will meet the Dhaloom as Al-Ghafoor (One who forgives more sins) and He will meet the Dhallaam as Al-Ghaffaar (One who is forgiveness is limitless). Why then should we not turn to Him with regret and repentance?