There is a famous saying of the 1762 political philosophy book The Social Contract by Swiss philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau "Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains" - an oft used quote to express the fate of the weak and might of the powerful.
It was true then, or even before since time immemorial, and continues to be true even today - and would continue to be so in times to come. Books are replete with examples of man's torture and oppression, while movies adequately portray the bitter truth - though to the delight of many, for man is intrinsically inclined towards harming others.
Today, through this post, we will try to explain why Al Qur'an describes Zulm ( ظلم ) / oppression and injustice as one of the gravest moral and spiritual evils. In fact oppression or Zulm is tangent to the core message of Islam which itself means peace.
How Zulm is defined in Al Qur'an
The word comes from the idea of putting something out of its rightful place, violating rights, or acting unjustly toward God, others, or oneself. Therefore Islam condemns Zulm so strongly because it destroys justice, corrupts the soul, spreads suffering, and opposes the moral order God commands.
Let us know more why Zulm is considered as one of the gravest moral and spiritual evils:
1. Allah does not approve of oppression
The Qur’an repeatedly states that Allah rejects injustice and wrongdoers. Herein under are some references from Al Qur'an that reject Zulm and consider the oppressors and the wrongdoers as the most abhorred beings.
- “And Allah does not love the wrongdoers (ẓālimīn).” — Qur’an 3:57
- Read explanation at: Why the wrongdoers are robbed of Humility and punished
- “Indeed, Allah commands justice, excellence, and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality, wrongdoing, and oppression.” — Qur’an 16:90
- Read explanation: Allah enjoins Three Virtues - and Forbids Three Vices
- “Do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.” — Qur’an 5:8
Justice is required even toward enemies. This shows that in Islam justice is not based on tribal loyalty, emotion, or power.
2. Oppression against people is a major sin
The Qur’an strongly condemns those who abuse power, exploit others, or spread corruption:
- “The way of blame is only against those who oppress people and tyrannize upon the earth without right.” — Qur’an 42:42
- “And do not think Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do.” — Qur’an 14:42
Pharaoh is mentioned in Al Qur'an as an example of utter oppressor and injustice. About Pharaoh, the Qur’an says:
- “Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and divided its people into factions, oppressing a group among them.” — Qur’an 28:4
- Pharaoh is presented as the model of tyranny, arrogance, abuse of power, dehumanization, and oppression of the weak.
3. Shirk is called the greatest Zulm
The Qur’an describes associating partners with Allah (shirk) as the greatest injustice:
“Indeed, shirk is a tremendous ظلم (ẓulm).” — Qur’an 31:13
Why shirk is the greatest Zulm? Because from the Qur’anic perspective:
- Worship belongs only to Allah,
- Dependence ultimately belongs to Him alone,
- and giving divine status to created things distorts reality itself.
That is why shirk is described as the greatest misplacement of truth and devotion.
Read about shirk from our reference page: Understanding Shirk - Grave sin of Associating Partners with Allah
4. People often wrong themselves
The Qur’an frequently says people “wrong themselves”:
- “Allah did not wrong them, but they wronged themselves.” — Qur’an 3:117
- This includes: all types of sins, rejecting truth, moral corruption, and destructive choices.
The idea is that injustice harms the soul of the oppressor before anyone else.
5. Allah has forbidden ظلم even for Himself
One of the most powerful Hadith Qudsi states:
“O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden among you, so do not oppress one another.” — Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2577
This is one of the clearest statements in Islam about the sanctity of justice.
6. The prayer of the oppressed is especially feared
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned strongly against oppressing others:
“Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah.” — Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
This applies even if the oppressed person is weak or socially powerless.
7. Oppression becomes darkness on the Day of Judgment
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Oppression will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim
Which means that injustice blinds moral clarity, and its consequences appear fully in the Hereafter.
Why is Zulm treated so negatively in Islam?
The Qur’anic and Prophetic view is that oppression destroys the foundations of human life and destroys justice
Without justice: (1) Trust collapses, (2) societies decay, (3) corruption spreads, (4) the weak suffer and (5) It corrupts the oppressor
Arrogance and tyranny harden the heart. Pharaoh is repeatedly used as an example of how power without humility leads to destruction. It violates human dignity
The Qur’an teaches that humans were honored by Allah:
“We have certainly honored the children of Adam.” Al Qur’an 17:70
Oppression humiliates and strips people of rights Allah granted them. It opposes taqwa (God-consciousness). True righteousness requires fairness, mercy, and accountability.
Islam emphasizes mercy and repentance instead
Even though ظلم is condemned strongly, repentance is always open:
“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.’” - Qur’an 39:53
So the Qur’an combines justice, accountability, mercy, and reform. A person is not condemned forever if they sincerely repent and restore rights.
Summary
In the Qur’an and authentic Hadith, Zulm is hated because it (1) Violates truth, (2) abuses power, (3) harms people, (4) corrupts the soul, (5) and destroys the balance Allah established.
That is why Islam places such enormous emphasis on:
- Justice (ʿadl),
- Mercy (raḥmah),
- Honesty,
- Humility,
- and protecting the rights of others.
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.
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