When media reports about domestic violence, cases of acid throwing and setting spouses on fire, a hue and cry is raised for justice for the victims. Politicians proceed to pass this bill and that legislation, which never see the light of day, and the brutalities continue.
Allah (swt) states: “And we ordained therein for them: ‘Life for life, eye for an eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth and wounds equal for equal.’ But if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity, it shall be for him an expiation. And whosoever does not judge by that which Allah has revealed, such are the Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers – of a lesser degree)” (Al-Maidah 5:45)
If only a wise soul could hand over the Quran to the current rulers and let them realize that a Muslim country does not require further legislation. The commands are crystal clear and only need to be implemented with courage and determination.
Any husband, who unjustly resorts to physical abuse, can be held by the state. The wife can avenge him for his mistreatment by demanding an equal punishment to be carried out by the ruler. Similarly, if a wife is the oppressor and causes harm to her husband, he can have the state carry out a similar sentence against her. Zulm or oppression must never be tolerated; otherwise, it spreads like a forest on fire. It is the nature of oppression that it does not take care of itself. It needs to be nipped in the bud.
And if the court of law (as is the case today) is unable to relieve the oppressed from her/his pathetic state, the elderly family members of both spouses must intervene for a just settlement. But in no case should the oppressed be left abandoned or alone.
Once, Anas’s (rtam) sister got into a fight with another woman. She physically assaulted her by breaking the woman’s tooth. The matter was taken to the Prophet (sa) for judgment. Quoting the Quranic Ayah, Allah’s Messenger (sa) ruled that the tooth of Anas’s (rtam) sister will be broken, too. To this,Anas (rtam) said: “By Allah (swt), this shall not happen.” Later the victim’s family forgave the culprit, and hence Allah (swt) answered to Anas’s (rtam) plea. His sister was saved.
Invocations for protection against oppression
When one fears becoming the oppressor
“Oh, Allah! Grant my soul its Taqwa and make it pure. You alone are its Best Purifier, You alone are its Lord and Master.” (Muslim)
When one fears oppression
“Oh, our Lord! Make us not a trial for the disbelievers and forgive us, our Lord! Verily, You, only You are the Al-Mighty, the All-Wise.” (Al-Mumtahinah60:5)
The Prophet’s (sa) mercy never came in the way of justice
At times, the Prophet (sa) is wrongly projected as someone, who forgave whatever came his way. He never sought vengeance for himself for any personal loss. He is the mercy for mankind, rightly so; however, he also was a just ruler upholding the doctrines of Islam.
The Prophet (sa) once favoured some people, who had contracted a skin disease in Madinah. He arranged for their lodging some miles away from Madinah, where some camels belonging to the Muslims were reared and herded. These animals were managed by a shepherd.
Upon restoring their health, these men hatched an evil plan. They tortured the shepherd by cutting off his limbs from opposite sides and drilling iron rods into his eyes and eventually killed him. Next, they fled with the camels.
When the Prophet (sa) discovered about the barbaric act, he sent his men after the murderers and had them captured. When they were brought before him, the Prophet (sa) ordered the same punishment for them. The following Ayah refers to the incident:
“The recompense of those, who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and do mischief in the land, is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off from opposite sides, or be exiled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world, and a great torment is theirs in the Hereafter.” (Al-Maidah5:33)
There is no mercy for satanic acts.
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