When the Oppressor Does Not Stop His Oppression

Abu Musa Al-Asharī (May Allah be pleased with him):

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah gives respite to the oppressor, but when He seizes (catches) him, He never releases him." Then he recited:

وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَآ أَخَذَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَهِىَ ظَٰلِمَةٌ إِنَّ أَخْذَهُۥٓ أَلِيمٌ شَدِيدٌ

‘Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful, and severe.’ (Hud; 102)¹

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymīn, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“Allah gives them respite, meaning He delays (their retribution) until they go too far in their oppression. Refuge is sought with Allah. Thus, He does not hasten the punishment for them, and this is a trial. We ask Allah to grant us refuge.

From istidrāj² is that Allah grants a person respite while he continues oppressing others. He does not bring about the consequence immediately; rather, He allows it to accumulate upon the oppressor. Then, when Allah seizes him, He does not release him. He seizes him with a mighty and powerful seizure.

Then the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, recited:

وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَا أَخَذَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَهِىَ ظَٰلِمَةٌ ۚ إِنَّ أَخْذَهُۥٓ أَلِيمٌ شَدِيدٌ

‘Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful, and severe.’ (Hud; 102)

Therefore, an oppressive person should not be deceived by himself, nor by Allah granting him respite. For indeed, this is tribulation upon tribulation. When a person is punished immediately for his oppression, it is possible that he reflects, learns a lesson, and ceases his wrongdoing. However, if he is given respite, the sins accumulate and the oppression increases, thereby increasing the retribution.

Refuge with Allah is sought from this. Thus, the oppressor is seized while heedless, and when Allah seizes him, He does not release him. We ask Allah to grant us the ability to take lessons from His verses (signs) and to grant us refuge from the oppression of our own souls and the oppression of others. Verily, He is All-Bountiful, All-Generous one abundant in goodness.”³

Footnotes

¹ Sahih Al-Bukhari 4686

² Istidrāj - They are gradually led to their downfall, bit by bit and stage by stage, through blessings and respite, until they are deceived and think that punishment will never come to them - Al-Bahr al-Muheet (13/392)

³ Sharh Riyadh -As-Saliheen (2/498)

Translated by Abu Sara Haroon