The Traditions of Ahl ul-Bayt (A.S.) against helping the Oppressors

By: Shaheed Ayatullah Abdul Husain Dastghaib Shirazi
Numerous traditions have reached us in this connection. Shaykh Ansari has also recorded the following tradition from the Holy Prophet (S) in his book Warām: “If one knowingly goes to help an oppressor, he has apostasized from Islam.” (Majmua Warām)
Naturally an act that makes a person bereft of the Islamic faith must be a sin that results in his destruction.
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) says: “When Qiyāma occurs an announcer will call: Where are the unjust, the helpers of Unjust and those like the Unjust? So much so that even if one has procured merely pen and ink for the oppressor to write the order of oppression; all these people would be bundled up in a cage of iron and thrown into Hell.” (Wasa’il ul-Shia)
The Messenger of Islam (S) says: “If a person even hangs up a cane for the tyrant king so that he can beat the oppressed one, Allah will change that cane into a snake, seventy thousand yards long and place it in the Hell fire (to torment him).” (Wasa’il ul-Shia)
“Those who take the affairs of oppressors in their hands and help him in oppression will, at the time of death, be conveyed the Divine curse and news of Hell fire by the angel of death. And Hell is an evil resort. One who guides the oppressor will be considered at par with Hamān (the minister of Fir’on). And the punishment of those who help the unjust and the oppressors themselves will be more grievous than other punishments of the inmates of Hell. And if a person backbites about his believing brother to the ruler, and even though the Muslim may not have to suffer any injury from it, the backbiter will have all his good deeds nullified. However, if the Muslim had to suffer oppression at the hands of the ruler, the back-biter will be kept by Allah in that section of Hell where Hamān will be confined.” (Wasa’il ul-Shia)

Praising the oppressor is also Harām
To praise an oppressor so that his power and authority may increase, or he may be enouraged to become more daring, is also Harām. This is confirmed by arguments that have been mentioned, and also the proofs concerning the forbidding of evil (Nahy Anil Munkar).
Shaykh Ansari has specifically related a tradition from the Holy Prophet (S): “One who shows respect to a rich man and in the greed of his wealth considers him good; the Almighty Allah becomes angry on him and puts him in a cage of fire at the lowest part of Hell where Qarun is confined.” (Wasa’il ul-Shia)
This tradition applies to all types of people, but if the praised one is unjust, the one who praises will be eligible to severe retribution. The Prophet of Allah (S) has said, “If one praises a tyrant king or shows humility due to greed (of his rewards) then he will be in Hell with him (the King).” (Wasa’il ul-Shia)
Another prophetic tradition states, “Whenever a transgressor is praised, the heavens shudder and the Divine Anger envelopes the one who has praised.” (Safinat’ul-Bihār)

We must not accept any honour from oppressors
The most common way of helping the oppressors is to accept some post or position from them, especially if that post is a cause for any type of oppression. For example the post of maintaining law and order. If a person assumes such an assignment from the oppressors and as a result unleashes oppression on innocent people, such an appointment and such an acceptance of the post is a Greater Sin. If as a result of it, innocent people are subjected to hardships, the doer of such actions is sure to have a severe punishment from the Almighty.
There is one very well known tradition of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) and it is quoted here from Tohful Uqūl. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says: “The Harām post is the post of an oppressive ruler and the posts of those who are busy in the assignments entrusted by the tyrants. Hence it is Harām to fulfill the duty of this post. One who takes up this post will become involved in Divine punishment. Whether the job is significant or paltry, any attempt to help the oppressor is a Greater Sin. Because accepting a post from an oppressor will result in the trampling of rights, the manifestation of injustice, the spread of corruption and disturbance, the destruction of heavenly books, the murder of Prophets, the demolishing of mosques and the interpolation of religious laws. Therefore it is Harām to work with them. Except when there is a condition of utter helplessness, like when it becomes permissible to drink blood and eat the flesh of dead.” (Tohful Uqūl)
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) has also said: “Those who accept some assignment from the oppressors; the minimum punishment for them on the Day of Judgement would be that Allah would make them stand near fire till He does the accounting of the rest of the people. After that He will decide about them.”
In the last portion of the book Dārus Salām there is an incident concerning Sayyid Muhammad ‘Ali Iraqi. He was one of those who had the honour of seeing Imam az-Zaman (a.s.). He says... “during the time of my youth I was staying in my native village in Iraq. The name of that place was KarharMansūrd. In those days a person whom I knew by his name and lineage passed away and was buried in the graveyard opposite to our house. For forty days, at the time of sunset a fire arose from his grave, and wails and screams were heard. On one of those nights the wailing of that dead man became more intense and I was very much troubled. I became so much frightened that I was trembling uncontrollably as if the punishment was on myself; so much so that I eventually began to lose consciousness. When my friends came to know of my condition they came and carried me to their house and I remained there till I was well again. Afterwards I came to know that the dead man was working in the local court. One day he had demanded some tax from a Sayyid who was unable to pay. This man arrested the Sayyid and locked him up in one of his rooms. He hung him from the ceiling of his house for quite some time. It was due to these deeds that he was punished after death.”
Another similar incident is related by a reliable person that, some time ago there was a person by the name of Āqa Muhammad ‘Ali. He was a dealer in perfumes and was also in some way connected with the law courts. He had promulgated an order banning all the people from any kind of trade in perfumes. During that period a Sayyid had some perfume and he sold it to some other trader. When this tyrant came to know of this he met the Sayyid in the market and abused him excessively and even slapped him. In reply to this the Sayyid said, “My ancestors will repay you for this.” When the tyrant heard this he turned back and ordered his slave to catch hold of the Sayyid. Then he beat the Sayyid with a cane saying, “Go and tell your ancestor to cut off my arms.” The very next day this oppressor contracted high fever and his arms began to pain severely during the night. On the third day his arms had swollen terribly and puss began to ooze from them. On the fourth day the surgeons amputed his arms in a way that only the stubs remained. He died on the seventh day.
Therefore, it is important to know that acceptance of an assignment or a post from an oppressor or a tyrant is a great help to that unjust man. And it is impossible for the person who accepts such assignments to remain just and non-violent.
It is mentioned in the Sahih of Dawūd bin Zarbi that one of the followers of Imam Sajjad (a.s.) had requested Imam Sajjad (a.s.) to recommend him to the ruler of Madinah, Dawūd bin ‘Ali for an appointment in the governmental post. Imam Sajjad (a.s.) replied: “I will never do such a thing.”
On hearing this he thought that Imam (a.s.) was unwilling to recommend him because he might be worried that some injustice would be caused by him. So he approached Imam (a.s.) and began to promise and take oaths that he would never do any kind of unjust act and said that he would not do anything except help the people. Imam (a.s.) looked at the sky and began to weep. Then he said that going to the sky was easier. It was apparent that Imam (a.s.) meant to say that once a person accepts employment of an oppressor it is impossible for him not to oppress.

When is it permitted to accept a position under rulership?
There are two situations where it is allowed to accept appointment in the service of oppressors and rather in some cases it becomes Wajib to do so. It is permissible when a person is forced to accept it or if he is practising Taqiyya. That is, if he refuses, his life property or honour will be in danger. Permissibility of accepting employment under tyrants is proved in many ways.
The Holy Prophet (S) has said, “My people will not be questioned for what they are forced to do.” (Khasael)
And Imam Sadiq (a.s.) has mentioned: “There is nothing that Allah has not made permissible for one who is helpless.”
Imam Riďa (a.s.) has been reported in Wasa’il ul-Shia to say that he accepted to be heir-apparent of Mamun under duress and Taqiyya. When Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) was asked about working for a tyrant king, he replied, “It is not allowed, except when a person is not able to obtain his livelihood from any other means or if his life is in danger and his life depends on accepting some work from the tyrant. In that case it is allowed. But if he receives any remuneration from the tyrant he must pay Khums from it.” (Wasa’il ul-Shia)
Such appointments are permissible when the job involves only peacekeeping and maintaining of law and order. Like posts in armies where the aim is to defend the borders of Muslim countries, to see to the welfare of believers and the downtrodden people, and to restore the rights to those who were deprived of it. Accepting service under tyrants is allowed in these circumstances provided one has a firm intention of dealing in a just manner. If the intention is to help the Shias specifically, it is more meritorious. Ziyad ibn Abi Salma says that he went to meet Imam Musa al-Kadhim (a.s.). Imam (a.s.) asked him if he was employed with the government? “Yes,” he replied. Imam (a.s.) asked, ‘Why?’
He replied, “I am benevolent and helpful to the needy so I cannot leave this job. Apart from this I have a family and children and I have no other means of livelihood.” Imam (a.s.) said, “O Ziyad if I am taken to the top of a high mountain and thrown from it and my body is shattered to pieces. I would prefer that to doing some job for these people or even to step inside their threshold. Except for one condition. Do you know what that is?”
Ziyad said, “May my life be sacrificed for you; I don’t know.”
Imam (a.s.) continued, “Except that I rescue the believers from grief and hardships or liberate an imprisoned believer, or repay the debts of a believer.” After this Imam (a.s.) went on to say, “O Ziyad! If you are employed under a tyrant, work for the welfare of your believing brothers so that it will recompense for the sins that you may happen to commit during your service period.”
Fazl Ibn Abdul Rahmān says that I wrote a letter to Imam Musa al-Kadhim (a.s.) asking, “Please permit me to work on a governmental post.” Imam (a.s.) replied, “You are permitted, provided you do not change my religious commands or cross the limits laid down by Allah. The compensation of your action will be your fulfilling the needs of your believing brother.” (Mustadrak ul-Wasa’il)
‘Ali Ibn Yaqtīn, who was the Prime Minister of Caliph Harūn, wrote to Imam Musa al-Kadhim (a.s.): “Please give me permission to resign from this post.” Imam (a.s.) replied to him, “I do not consider it permissible for you to leave this governmental post because in the courts of tyrants there are people through whom Allah removes the difficulties of His loved ones. And they are the ones whom Allah has made immune from the fire of Hell. Hence fear Allah with respect to your brothers.” (Mustadrak ul-Wasa’il)
Muhammad bin Ismail Bazī was also a minister in the court of Harūn. He had the honour of meeting Three Imams, Imam Musa al-Kadhim (a.s.), Imam ‘Ali Riďa (a.s.) and Imam Jawad (a.s.) who provided his own garment to serve as his shroud. He relates from Imam Riďa (a.s.) that he said,
“There are people in the courts of tyrants through whom Allah manifests His proof and they are appointed in specific cities. Allah removes the difficulties of His loved ones through them and by them He brings about the welfare of Muslims. The believers take refuge with them in calamities. The needs of our needy Shias are fulfilled through these very people. And the Almighty Allah through their means imposes the fear and dread of the believers upon the houses of oppressors. These are the true believers who are the trust bearers of Allah on this earth. Congratulations to them for their position and post!”
Then Imam (a.s.) asked, “Wouldn’t it be better that at least one of you reaches that position?”
Muhammad asked, “May my life be sacrificed for you. How can a person reach such a position?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “Being with the tyrants, he makes the heart of our Shias happy; that makes us happy. O Muhammad! After you do this you will be considered among those people who have lofty positions.” (Bihār al-Anwār vol.15)

Accepting employment under a tyrant ruler becomes Wajib in one condition
At times it is Wajib to accept rulership or a post in government. A person should do so only when he is sure that if he assumes the post he will be able to uproot a great evil or will be able to prevent at least one sinful ritual or system. But such a situation is rare because it depends on personal confidence, that after one assumes authority, one will never commit any sort of injustice or sinful act nor go against justice and Divine commands. It is obvious that such a proposition is very difficult because there are numerous dangers that lurk behind the facade of governance. It is most difficult to save oneself from them.
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) replied to the letter of Abdullah Najjashi the ruler of Ahwaz: “It has come to my knowledge that you assumed the rulership of Ahwaz. I am happy by this news and aggrieved too. Happy because I hope Allah will remove the difficulties and the problems of the Progeny of Muhammad and help them through you and through you the fire of opposition will cool down on them. I am aggrieved on account of the fears, the least of which is that you may become a cause of injury or difficulty to our followers and thus be deprived of even the fragrance of Paradise.” (Makasib Muharrama)
The Holy Prophet (S) says: “One who assumes the leadership of a community will be raised on the Day of Qiyāma in a way that both his hands will be tied to his neck. Then if he had dealt with the people according to Shariah; Allah will free him. But if he has been unjust he will be thrown into Hell. And what an evil resort it is. If a leader of a community does not deal with justice and goodness with the people, for each day that he ruled, he will be made to stand at the boundary of Hell for a thousand years with both his hands tied behind his neck. Thus if he has dealt with equity he will be freed and if not, he will be thrown into Hell, into a depth of seventy thousand years.”
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) says: “If a person has authority in a particular affair of the people and he deals with justice with them and the doors of his house are open for those who refer to him and seek his help and he does not remain aloof from the people. Then the Almighty Allah will keep him safe from dread and fear on the Day of Qiyāma and make him enter Paradise.” (Wasa’il ul-Shia)
It must be remembered, however, that this is a vast subject and it is not possible to discuss all its facets. Hence those who wish to study in detail may refer to books of jurisprudence.