When Justice Becomes Strange
There were times when supporting the oppressed was an honor that men competed to uphold, and standing against injustice was the true measure of manhood and faith. But today, the scales have been overturned—supporting the oppressed has become rare, while betrayal has become the norm. The oppressed are met with denial and neglect, while the oppressor finds those who aid him in his tyranny, even beautifying his path of oppression.
Today, standing for justice has become an exception rather than the rule. Those who call for it are seen as rebels against the status quo, as if they are asking for the impossible in a world ruled by interests and gains. Silence in the face of injustice is treated as a virtue—or even a necessity to avoid losses!
Justifying Oppression
In an era where the media is the primary force shaping public opinion, truth is no longer a fixed criterion. Instead, it is subject to interests and political agendas. The voice of the oppressed is only amplified when it serves a particular agenda, and it is silenced when it exposes the complicity of the powerful or the double standards at play. Thus, oppression, which was once abhorred, is now marketed through deceptive means. This is why we are in dire need of reviving the concept of supporting the oppressed as a duty that does not expire with time nor submit to temporary interests.
However, the greatest dilemma is not just in cowardice but in justification. The oppressor is turned into a victim, while the oppressed is portrayed as the aggressor—all under the influence of a manipulated media that reshapes events and presents them with a different narrative that serves its interests.
The media is no longer just a messenger of events; it has become their creator, directing public opinion according to its own agenda. Supporting the oppressed is not just empty words spoken in gatherings, nor slogans raised without impact. It is an action that must be translated into real stances. But how can this be achieved when the media crafts narratives as it pleases—turning the oppressor into a victim and the victim into an aggressor—convincing the masses that justice is served when voices of truth are silenced?
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "No (Muslim) man will desert a man who is a Muslim in a place where his respect may be violated and his honour aspersed without Allah deserting him in a place here he wishes his help; and no (Muslim) man who will help a Muslim in a place where his honour may be aspersed and his respect violated without Allah helping him in a place where he wishes his help." (Narrated by Ahmad and graded good by Al-Albani). How much oppression takes place in broad daylight without being condemned—rather, it is justified and even beautified!
One of the clearest examples of this media manipulation is the Western media’s coverage of the war on Gaza. Palestinian victims are reduced to mere numbers, while the Zionist narrative is propagated to justify mass bombings and killings as "self-defense." Meanwhile, the massacres against innocent civilians are covered up, and anyone who defends Palestinians is demonized and labeled as anti-Semitic.
On the other hand, there is a widespread media push to normalize homosexuality within Islamic societies. Major media platforms work to portray homosexuals as heroes, promoting them in TV series, films, and even commercials, portraying this deviation as a natural part of life—completely disregarding Islamic values and teachings. Moreover, anyone who opposes this agenda is vilified as an "extremist" or "homophobic."
Supporting the Oppressed Is a Duty, Not an Option
Supporting the oppressed has never been a choice for one to hesitate over; rather, it is a duty imposed by faith and morals—a scale by which the nation’s adherence to justice and mercy is measured. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "A Muslim is a Muslim’s brother: he does not wrong him or abandon him. If anyone cares for his brother’s need, Allah will care for his need ; if anyone removes a Muslim’s anxiety, Allah will remove from him, on account of it, one of the anxieties of the Day of resurrection ; and if anyone conceals a Muslim’s fault, Allah will conceal his fault on the Day of resurrection." (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)
If you are among those who ask, "How can we bring about victory?" then start with yourself—support the oppressed wherever you can, and speak the truth even if it is bitter. Honor lies in upholding the truth, even if people abandon you. As the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever supports his brother in secret, Allah will support him in this world and the Hereafter." (Sahih Al-Jami’ 6574)
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Resources:
- Mahasin AlIslam Encyclopedia
- Al-Mujtama Magazine
- Alukah
- Islamweb
