But this has never been Divinely liked and man has been cautioned to be kind and to one's opponents or even to the criminalsby not subjecting them to torture and inhuman tratment. In fact the sruel in the corridors of power are sternly warned to be ready for the Divine torment in the life of the hereafter.
There is a hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as mentioned in Sahi Muslim (Hadith 6658) on the subject as mentioned herein under:
Hisham reported on the authority of his father that Hisham b. Hakim b. Hizam happened to pass by people, the farmers of Syria, who had been made to stand in the sun. He said: What is the matter with them? They said: They have been detained for Jizya. Thereupon Hisham said: I bear testimony to the fact that I heard Allah's Messenger ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) as saying: Allah would torment those who torment people in the world.
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ عَنْ هِشَامٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ مَرَّ هِشَامُ بْنُ حَكِيمِ بْنِ حِزَامٍ عَلَى أُنَاسٍ مِنْ الْأَنْبَاطِ بِالشَّامِ قَدْ أُقِيمُوا فِي الشَّمْسِ فَقَالَ مَا شَأْنُهُمْ قَالُوا حُبِسُوا فِي الْجِزْيَةِ فَقَالَ هِشَامٌ أَشْهَدُ لَسَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُعَذِّبُ الَّذِينَ يُعَذِّبُونَ النَّاسَ فِي الدُّنْيَا
While the brutalities of kings and their cronies continues unabated, even in most democratic countries, cruelty to the opponents of the sitting governments continues, with many a Muslim countries being no exception. The opponetns and the voice makers are not only tortured mentally but the worst kind of physical torture. And this also extends to their families as a tool to force them to force their loved ones to give in and bow their heads in subjugation.
The torture on the behest of the masters would not absolve the lower ranks of the crime of torture and will share the torment of Allah as has been promised in the above cited Hadith. This hadith offers a strong ethical warning against cruelty and injustice, even when it occurs under legal or governmental authority.
Let us take inferences from Qur'an and see how inhuman treatment, vengence, torture and cruelty has been forbidden:
Justice and Mercy are Core Principles
The Qur’an consistently emphasizes justice (‘adl) and mercy (rahma). Mistreating people — even if they are in the wrong — violates these principles.
- Qur'an 16:90: "Indeed, Allah commands justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression..."
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The punishment described in the hadith — forcing people to stand in the sun — is an example of oppression or unnecessary suffering.
Accountability for Tyranny and Cruelty: Cruelty to others brings divine punishment — this is a major Qur’anic theme.
- Qur’an 42:42: "The blame is only against those who wrong people and tyrannize upon the earth without right. Those will have a painful punishment."
- The hadith directly aligns with this ayah: those who "torment people in the world" will be "tormented by Allah."
Prophetic Mercy and Conduct
- Qur’an 21:107: "And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds."
- The Prophet ﷺ was a model of mercy — even in times of war or governance.
- The hadith reflects that — punishing someone harshly for not paying Jizya goes against that Prophetic example.
Lessons and Applications
- Abuse of Power is Forbidden: Whether it's a ruler, employer, or anyone in authority, Islam forbids using power to mistreat others.
- Cruel Punishments Are Un-Islamic: Leaving people to suffer in the sun or using physical torment as punishment contradicts the Prophet’s teachings.
- Rights of the ordinary irrespective of their religion: Islam mandates fair and humane treatment of all citizens, including non-Muslims living under Islamic governance.
Moral takeaway: Islam doesn’t just forbid wrongdoing; it warns of divine punishment for those who torment others, even under the pretext of law. Despite clear Qur'anic commadments, many a Muslim countries and their leaders still indulge in inhuman treatment of their opponents and subject to the limitless torture to break them to accept their hegomony. Do such leaders think that they will be absolved of their crimes on the Day of Judgement? Let us ponder over it.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Warning and Cautions for more Hadiths on the subject
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing. one may also consult local Muslim Imamam of the masjid for more calrification.
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