Oppression

Oppression

Taken from : Al-Kaba’ir (The Major Sins) pages 231-233

The Prophet said: “On the Day Resurrection. The one who gave (even) a single whiplash wrongfully will be avenged.”

A Story: A Persian king appointed a teacher for his lad, the successor to the throne. The teacher taught him good manners and all kinds of knowledge until the prince learned it well. Then, one day the teacher without any cause started beating the prince and gave him a good thrashing. The prince harbored resentment in his heart against the teacher for this unjustified beating.

 When the prince father died and the prince became the king, he called his former teacher and reminded him that on such-and-such a day he had beaten him harshly for no cause. The teacher replied:  “Listen Oh! King  when you had learned well what I taught you of knowledge and manners, I  realized that one day after your father’s death you would ascend the throne. I then decided to teach you the pain of beating and suffering of being treated unjustly so that you would not be unjust to anyone.” The king said: “May Allah reward you for it! He then ordered that the teacher be given a pension from the state treasury.