In common conversation, we often translate Zulm as “oppression” or “tyranny.” But from the Islamic Perspective, the word carries a much deeper meaning: it refers to putting something where it does not belong. When a person acts without rightful authority—claiming a right they don’t have or ignoring a boundary they didn’t create—they are committing Zulm.
- The Divine Safety Net:
Think of Allah’s (S.W.T) guidance not as a set of “restrictions,” but as a safety manual for the soul.
✅ Success: When a person stays within the boundaries set by Allah, they live a life of equilibrium.
✅ Protection: By following divine law, you are protected from harming your own Nafs (self), your family, and your community.
When you follow the “Manufacturer’s Instructions,” the machine runs smoothly. You aren’t just being “good”; you are being safe.
- The Trap of “Self-Claimed Authority”:
The real danger begins when we start to think our own brains, our bank accounts, or our social status give us the right to make our own rules. This is where Zulm reaches its peak.
➡️ The Ego (Nafs): When we follow our whims and desires, we become slaves to our moods.
➡️ The Blindness of Power: Status and financial ability often act like blinders. A person starts to think, “I have the money/power, therefore I have the authority to do as I please.”
➡️ The Error of Autonomy: This is the highest risk zone. Without a moral anchor (Divine Guidance), a person’s “logic” is easily corrupted by greed. They begin to step on the rights of others simply because they can.
- The Highest Level of Zulm: Shirk and Lies:
You might wonder: How is believing in something other than God an “oppression”? It is the greatest Zulm because it is the ultimate misplacement of truth. When someone attributes lies to Allah (S.W.T) or commits Shirk (associating partners with Him), they are claiming authority over the Divine.
No one has given them a “seal” or a “confirmation” from a higher power to preach their own versions of truth. It is a self-proclaimed authority that misleads others and destroys the spiritual foundation of society.
- The 21st Century Crisis:
We are living in an era where “self-worship” is at an all-time high. In the 21st century, the rise of Zulm is visible because society has largely traded Divine Commands for Personal Whims. When we ignore the Creator’s guidance to follow our own “trends,” we see the results in:
✅ Broken families.
✅ Economic exploitation.
✅ The loss of inner peace.
The Bottom Line ✍🏻:
Zulm is the result of a human trying to play God. True success—and true justice—only returns when we acknowledge that we are not the ultimate authority. By returning to the boundaries set by Allah (S.W.T), we find the safety we’ve been missing, and safeguard ourselves from facing humiliation and the eternal punishment of the hellfire, and keep ourselves in check.
The Speaking Diary 